Why Kenyans online are loving this independence video
A never-seen before video of the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and a Meru Mau Mau general has excited Kenyans online.
In the video, little-known General Musa Mwariama, who appears to be high, opens his eyes wide as Kenyatta explains how he was happy to see the fighter.
The general was among the Mau Mau fighters who left the forest after surviving the war without being tortured or killed.
None of his troops was killed.
In the video, a confused Mwariama looks on as Kenyatta addresses foreign press on how happy the fighters were, after the country attained independence.
While Kenyatta speaks fluent English, the general converses in Kimeru with the founding president, a Kikuyu, acting as an interpreter.
The general at some point retrieves two small Kenyan flags and asks Kenyatta to bless them.
It is a video that best exhibits the different fates of independence heroes.
While Kenyatta went on to be the head of state and left vast wealth to his family, General Mwariama died in abject poverty in Ukambani after trying to suck venom from a man who had been bitten by a snake.
The video that was shared by @HistoryKE was retweeted more than 1,500 times as users sought more information about the general.
1963: Acting as Kimeru interpreter, Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta addresses media flanked by #MauMau Gen. Mwariama in 1963. pic.twitter.com/6c6MUNvawD
— H i s t o r yK E (@HistoryKE) August 24, 2017
Thank you for this video.Kenya must know her real heroes. Half the truth had never been told. Please share more
— KYM’oda. (@KymDooh) August 25, 2017
The best thing I’ve watched online today, I wish we could b sharing such as KOT, other than insults and things that divide us.
— leki nderih (@l3ckie) August 24, 2017
What had my guy Mwariama smoked though? Thanks for sharing this
— Gatwiri (@RookieKE) August 24, 2017
High or not, I salute this man and many of those whose names are unknown and known but never spoken. Ur blood was not in vain. #MauMau
— WaMuya (@WaMuya_W) August 24, 2017
Mzee Kenyatta was smart ass
he didnt say a thing that he was asked he made it easier by putting his own words while translating— @Mush Isaac Muna (@mush_muna) August 24, 2017
Wow wow what a clip, what gets to me is the fact that Mau Mau fighters really loved Kenyatta, whether he gave back the same , is yet to show
— James (@J82James) August 25, 2017
Thank you for sharing our history especially for those of us who were not there but are interested in learning the history
— Peter K (@Kama_pk) August 24, 2017