DETAILS OF MAU MAU OATH AS REVEALED BY MAU MAU VETERAN MIRU NYATHURE

In this extensive interview, Mau Mau Quartermaster Lt. Col. Miru Nyathure takes the unusual decision of revealing how the first-level Mau Mau oath was administered. Most Mau Mau veterans never revealed the ritual details of the oath as secrecy was part of the oath. This explains why there are scanty details of the how the oaths were administered more than 70 years since the Declaration of Emergency at the height of the war in 1952. Still, Nathure does not reveal everything; he only gives a vague outline of the ritual. Amongst the details he reveals is that oath candidates were made to pass through a beehive. This requirement was symbolic of being born again, with the beehive symbolising the birth canal. You were presumed to be a new person when you emerged on the other side. Nyathure also talks about the role of Mau Mau prophets and medicine men and of women fighters. Interestingly, he also reveals details of Mau Mau logistics , including how the army of fighters was fed through a combination of community support and appropriation of private livestock. Amongst the battle he took part in was that of Mbaara ya Rui Ruiru, one of the fiercest battles. He also tells of his arrest and detention in various prisons including Kamiti Maximum Prison. Additionally, he also gives details about the arrest of Gen. China (Waruhiu Itote) and of Gen. Kaniu and other leaders, and of the community-based Mau Mau unit known as Komerera. This is definitely a very revealing interview. The interview was conducted by Prof. Macharia Munene for the Mau Mau Chronicles.