THE LARI MASSACRE OF 26th MARCH 1953
The battle of the haves and the haves not as it happened in Lari, in the then Kiambu district.
The life, the cause, the killings, the retaliation and the aftermath of the massacre.
***THREAD***
(Long thread alert)
The battle of the haves and the haves not as it happened in Lari, in the then Kiambu district.
The life, the cause, the killings, the retaliation and the aftermath of the massacre.
***THREAD***
(Long thread alert)
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND.
The
settlement
of Lari,nestling
in
the shadows
of
the Aberdares
forest
in the
northern
part of
Kiambu district,
was
to be
the site
of
the
greatest
bloodletting
of
the
entire
Mau
Mau
war.
The
settlement
of Lari,nestling
in
the shadows
of
the Aberdares
forest
in the
northern
part of
Kiambu district,
was
to be
the site
of
the
greatest
bloodletting
of
the
entire
Mau
Mau
war.
Yet Lari appeared no different from many other rural Kikuyu
communities in the early 1950s. The homesteads of local farmers were
scattered along the ridge tops and clustered around the fringes of the high
marshland.
communities in the early 1950s. The homesteads of local farmers were
scattered along the ridge tops and clustered around the fringes of the high
marshland.
The mud-and-wattle buildings were mostly thatched, with the occasional corrugated-metal roof. Families gathered together in fenced
compounds, each wife with her own hut, and buildings also for her sons.
compounds, each wife with her own hut, and buildings also for her sons.
Water was plentiful in Lari,there was good grazing lands & fuel wood
could be gathered from the forest edge. In Lari,soils were not as fertile as in the very best parts of Kiambu, but
they were good enough. In 1952 this was a vibrant, energetic
& economically thriving community
could be gathered from the forest edge. In Lari,soils were not as fertile as in the very best parts of Kiambu, but
they were good enough. In 1952 this was a vibrant, energetic
& economically thriving community
Lari was a place of wealth, and of poverty. Amongst the leading commercial farmers were a few elders with large acreages under
their control. They were in category of what the colonial state
considered to be 'progressive' African farming.
their control. They were in category of what the colonial state
considered to be 'progressive' African farming.
They had moved beyond
the traditional farming methods, to developing their lands with commercial tenancies, waged casual labourers
and more intensive farming methods.
the traditional farming methods, to developing their lands with commercial tenancies, waged casual labourers
and more intensive farming methods.
At the other end
of the economic scale stood the majority of Lari's residents. Most made
their livings as tenants on the land of others, producing a small surplus for
themselves and supplementing their household incomes with casual work.
of the economic scale stood the majority of Lari's residents. Most made
their livings as tenants on the land of others, producing a small surplus for
themselves and supplementing their household incomes with casual work.
Others were poorer still,having no access to land through ownership. These were compelled to sell their labour to earn a living. Waged
labour was already a fact of life in Lari. Labour was offered by the Nairobi migrants & Kikuyu squatters who had arrived from the Rift Valley.
labour was already a fact of life in Lari. Labour was offered by the Nairobi migrants & Kikuyu squatters who had arrived from the Rift Valley.
THE RECIPE FOR CHAOS
Landlessness in Lari was volatile issue. Its emergence since the 1940s had
created bad divisions among this Kikuyu community. The fear of
landlessness was the moving force among the Kikuyus and it lay, like a
cold shadow, over the whole community of Lari.
Landlessness in Lari was volatile issue. Its emergence since the 1940s had
created bad divisions among this Kikuyu community. The fear of
landlessness was the moving force among the Kikuyus and it lay, like a
cold shadow, over the whole community of Lari.
Lari was in fact, a
relatively new area of agricultural settlement.The farmers here were
recent immigrants. The first of their number had arrived between 1939-1949.
relatively new area of agricultural settlement.The farmers here were
recent immigrants. The first of their number had arrived between 1939-1949.
They had come from Tigoni, where they had been evicted at the instruction of the colonial govt.Their removal and resettlement had been a fraught affair,
resulting in the loss of land by many poorer families. These people were
resentful about their fate.
resulting in the loss of land by many poorer families. These people were
resentful about their fate.
In the early 1950s, despite its appearance of
tranquil prosperity, Lari was not a happy place. Majority of this people, had grudges against Chief Luka Wakahangare, who supported their eviction from Tigoni.
tranquil prosperity, Lari was not a happy place. Majority of this people, had grudges against Chief Luka Wakahangare, who supported their eviction from Tigoni.
Into this already combustible and almost to explode mix, came others who were also landless from the Rift Valley farms of Naivasha and Nakuru. The hundreds
of evicted squatters drifted into Lari on their way "home".
of evicted squatters drifted into Lari on their way "home".
Soon
on learning that there would be no land for them, many remained in the
Lari area, swelling the ranks of the landless and filling the bars and eating
houses with an army of discontented souls. The nearby town of Limuru
held a large number of such.
on learning that there would be no land for them, many remained in the
Lari area, swelling the ranks of the landless and filling the bars and eating
houses with an army of discontented souls. The nearby town of Limuru
held a large number of such.
Some of whom had been evicted
from the resettlement scheme at Olenguruone, in the Nakuru district,
where the squatters had taken a stand against the implementation of
government agricultural rules and where the Mau Mau oathing had
begun.
from the resettlement scheme at Olenguruone, in the Nakuru district,
where the squatters had taken a stand against the implementation of
government agricultural rules and where the Mau Mau oathing had
begun.
These migrants increased the local pool of casual labour,some
finding irregular work within Lari & being sheltered by their kinsmen,others sleeping where they could among the
shanties that fringed the larger town. With them came a new & far sharper division among the Kikuyus.
finding irregular work within Lari & being sheltered by their kinsmen,others sleeping where they could among the
shanties that fringed the larger town. With them came a new & far sharper division among the Kikuyus.
THE MASSACRE KNOCKS.
In 1952 October, colonial govt declared the state of emergency, following the assassination of Chief Warûhiû wa Kûngû. The violence of the Emergency exposed the raw tensions amongst this volatile community in Lari.
In 1952 October, colonial govt declared the state of emergency, following the assassination of Chief Warûhiû wa Kûngû. The violence of the Emergency exposed the raw tensions amongst this volatile community in Lari.
The high proportion of ex-squatters in Lari by
1952, along with numbers of other landless peasants, marked it as an area
where Mau Mau support was known to be strong.
1952, along with numbers of other landless peasants, marked it as an area
where Mau Mau support was known to be strong.
The local chief,
Makimei, had a reputation for toughness. His methods were often rough
, but colonial officials considered him a reliable & secure ally
in these difficult times. Mau Mau despised him, and he received death
threats even before the declaration of the emergency.
Makimei, had a reputation for toughness. His methods were often rough
, but colonial officials considered him a reliable & secure ally
in these difficult times. Mau Mau despised him, and he received death
threats even before the declaration of the emergency.
Not surprisingly,
Makimei was among the first chiefs in Kiambu to organize a Kikuyu
Home Guard unit, to defend Lari against Mau Mau.Makimei's
predecessor,ex-Chief Luka Wakahangare, privately sponsored the a second Home Guard post at Lari during the early weeks
of the emergency
Makimei was among the first chiefs in Kiambu to organize a Kikuyu
Home Guard unit, to defend Lari against Mau Mau.Makimei's
predecessor,ex-Chief Luka Wakahangare, privately sponsored the a second Home Guard post at Lari during the early weeks
of the emergency
If Lari was a nest of Mau Mau influence, then it was
also a place where loyalists were prepared to make a stand. By Nov 1952 there were 3000 Home Guard in Central Province, gathered around loyal chiefs, like
Makimei, who feared that they might be the target of
Mau Mau attacks.
also a place where loyalists were prepared to make a stand. By Nov 1952 there were 3000 Home Guard in Central Province, gathered around loyal chiefs, like
Makimei, who feared that they might be the target of
Mau Mau attacks.
Self-preservation & personal security were a necessary response of these respectable Christian Kikuyu to the lawlessness of
Mau Mau's fighters. When the British decided to give their blessing
to the Home Guard & to encourage recruitment, from Dec 1952,numbers rapidly increased.
Mau Mau's fighters. When the British decided to give their blessing
to the Home Guard & to encourage recruitment, from Dec 1952,numbers rapidly increased.
The guards now became a
formal militia, given authority to act in assistance of the police and army.
The Home Guard would be the force that would confront Mau Mau
head to head in the struggle for the hearts and minds of the Kikuyu
people.
formal militia, given authority to act in assistance of the police and army.
The Home Guard would be the force that would confront Mau Mau
head to head in the struggle for the hearts and minds of the Kikuyu
people.
Lari would be the critical site in that struggle.
By the end of January 1953 there were reckoned to be 7600 Home
Guard recruits, comprising 2333 in Nyeri, 1387 in Murang'a, 1083 in
Meru, 1000 in Embu, and 1863 in Kiambu.
By the end of January 1953 there were reckoned to be 7600 Home
Guard recruits, comprising 2333 in Nyeri, 1387 in Murang'a, 1083 in
Meru, 1000 in Embu, and 1863 in Kiambu.
At Lari, the 100 or so men who had then joined the Home Guard were mostly drawn from
the landed elite, gathered around Makimei & Luka Wakahangare,the
wealthiest man in the location & the person whose influence had been
behind the resettlement of those who had moved from Tigoni
the landed elite, gathered around Makimei & Luka Wakahangare,the
wealthiest man in the location & the person whose influence had been
behind the resettlement of those who had moved from Tigoni
Makimei
and Luka had numbered the murdered chiefs Waruhiu & Nderi among
their closest friends & allies. As the Mau Mau murder count mounted,
they knew that their own lives were under threat. For men such as these,
combating Mau Mau was quite literally a matter of life and death.
and Luka had numbered the murdered chiefs Waruhiu & Nderi among
their closest friends & allies. As the Mau Mau murder count mounted,
they knew that their own lives were under threat. For men such as these,
combating Mau Mau was quite literally a matter of life and death.
The
dogs of war finally caught up with them some five months into the
emergency.
At Lari, it was now a division between the landed Kikuyu against the landless Kikuyus. The war in this region in Kiambu was inevitable.
dogs of war finally caught up with them some five months into the
emergency.
At Lari, it was now a division between the landed Kikuyu against the landless Kikuyus. The war in this region in Kiambu was inevitable.
THE BLOODBATH
Each night at dusk,Lari's Home Guard unit gathered to begin their
rounds,patrolling the main paths & property.
Just after 8p.m. on the evening of 26 March 1953 the Lari patrol was
summoned to investigate the discovery of a body in the location of
Headman Wainaini
Each night at dusk,Lari's Home Guard unit gathered to begin their
rounds,patrolling the main paths & property.
Just after 8p.m. on the evening of 26 March 1953 the Lari patrol was
summoned to investigate the discovery of a body in the location of
Headman Wainaini
When
they arrived at the scene, they found the mutilated remains of a local
loyalist, nailed to a tree alongside a busy footpath. The body had been left there deliberately, with the intention that it should be found.
It had taken the patrol almost an hour to get to the spot.
they arrived at the scene, they found the mutilated remains of a local
loyalist, nailed to a tree alongside a busy footpath. The body had been left there deliberately, with the intention that it should be found.
It had taken the patrol almost an hour to get to the spot.
As they now
looked back to the west, just after 9p.m., they began to notice fires
breaking out in the direction of their own homes in Lari. They hurried
along in the darkness, first reluctantly fearing the worst, and eventually
running as they realized the terrible truth.
looked back to the west, just after 9p.m., they began to notice fires
breaking out in the direction of their own homes in Lari. They hurried
along in the darkness, first reluctantly fearing the worst, and eventually
running as they realized the terrible truth.
They had been
lured to Wainaini's location leaving Lari undefended.The Mau Mau
attack they so dreaded had come at last.
While the Home Guard patrol had hurried to the scene of the murder
,some several hundred attackers had gathered at prearranged places throughout the Lari area
lured to Wainaini's location leaving Lari undefended.The Mau Mau
attack they so dreaded had come at last.
While the Home Guard patrol had hurried to the scene of the murder
,some several hundred attackers had gathered at prearranged places throughout the Lari area
In five or six
separate gangs, each numbering 100 or more persons, the
y descended upon their targets. Their heads swathed to disguise
their identities, armed with pangas, spears,knives & axes, and
with some carrying burning torches, they swarmed over the unprotected homesteads
separate gangs, each numbering 100 or more persons, the
y descended upon their targets. Their heads swathed to disguise
their identities, armed with pangas, spears,knives & axes, and
with some carrying burning torches, they swarmed over the unprotected homesteads
They carried with them ropes, which they tied around the
huts to prevent the occupants from opening the doors before they set the thatch alight. As the occupants struggled to clamber through the
windows to escape, they were savagely cut down.
huts to prevent the occupants from opening the doors before they set the thatch alight. As the occupants struggled to clamber through the
windows to escape, they were savagely cut down.
Most of those caught
in the attack were women & children, but they were shown no mercy
by the attackers, who seemed intent on killing every person in the
homesteads. Shots rang out as some victims found their own weapons
and made an effort to defend themselves and their families
in the attack were women & children, but they were shown no mercy
by the attackers, who seemed intent on killing every person in the
homesteads. Shots rang out as some victims found their own weapons
and made an effort to defend themselves and their families
But it was a
hopeless cause. As the bodies were cut down and viciously hacked, the attackers threw them back into the blazing huts. The Home Guard patrol
reached Lari just as the attack was coming to an end.
hopeless cause. As the bodies were cut down and viciously hacked, the attackers threw them back into the blazing huts. The Home Guard patrol
reached Lari just as the attack was coming to an end.
They gave chase
to some of the attackers, but they were too late to save the victims. By
10p.m. some 120 bodies lay dead or grievously injured in the smouldering
ruins of 15 homesteads.
to some of the attackers, but they were too late to save the victims. By
10p.m. some 120 bodies lay dead or grievously injured in the smouldering
ruins of 15 homesteads.
The killers had disappeared into the night.
In their wake, there was chaos, terror, shock, anger & indescribable
grief.Kenyans read about the attack in their newspapers two days later. The
news appeared in English &
Swahili versions, & gave a vivid account of what had happened.
In their wake, there was chaos, terror, shock, anger & indescribable
grief.Kenyans read about the attack in their newspapers two days later. The
news appeared in English &
Swahili versions, & gave a vivid account of what had happened.
These first press reports spread fear & horror throughout the Kikuyu
people of central Kenya. Where the events in Nyeri on Christmas
Eve of 1952 had singled out leading male elders, the attack upon women
& children at Lari was on a far larger scale & appeared less discriminate
people of central Kenya. Where the events in Nyeri on Christmas
Eve of 1952 had singled out leading male elders, the attack upon women
& children at Lari was on a far larger scale & appeared less discriminate
No other attack during the emergency would have the tremendous
impact on public opinion that came in the aftermath of Lari. The first
reports stressed the murder of innocent Kikuyu civilians & stated
that this was a 'loyalist community.
impact on public opinion that came in the aftermath of Lari. The first
reports stressed the murder of innocent Kikuyu civilians & stated
that this was a 'loyalist community.
but it was not explained that the homesteads attacked had in fact been very carefully chosen.
All of the victims were the families
of local chiefs, ex-chiefs, headmen, councillors and prominent Home
Guard. The male heads of these households were the leading members
of Lari's loyalist community, and all were known as outspoken opponents
of Mau Mau.
of local chiefs, ex-chiefs, headmen, councillors and prominent Home
Guard. The male heads of these households were the leading members
of Lari's loyalist community, and all were known as outspoken opponents
of Mau Mau.
Lesser members of the Home Guard, & those who were clients of the rich,were left alone.What shocked
Kikuyus most of all was that the vast majority of those killed were
women & children & even shocked many
Mau Mau supporters,some of whom tried to excuse
the attack as a mistake
Kikuyus most of all was that the vast majority of those killed were
women & children & even shocked many
Mau Mau supporters,some of whom tried to excuse
the attack as a mistake
HARD HIT VICTIMS
The principal victim in the attack at Lari was Luka Wakahangare. More than 200
Mau Mau attacked his homestead, killing several of his wives, & many of his grandchildren. Luka, his younger brother,
and one of his sons had fought bravely to defend the family.
The principal victim in the attack at Lari was Luka Wakahangare. More than 200
Mau Mau attacked his homestead, killing several of his wives, & many of his grandchildren. Luka, his younger brother,
and one of his sons had fought bravely to defend the family.
Armed with
his shotgun, Luka had managed to break out of his hut to reach the
cover of a lorry, parked in the compound. From there the old man had
opened fire on his assailants, but had been quickly overpowered.
his shotgun, Luka had managed to break out of his hut to reach the
cover of a lorry, parked in the compound. From there the old man had
opened fire on his assailants, but had been quickly overpowered.
Surviving members of his family would later describe how the gang, having
recognized their victim, hacked repeatedly at his body, severing his head
and detaching limbs, to carry them off in triumph.
recognized their victim, hacked repeatedly at his body, severing his head
and detaching limbs, to carry them off in triumph.
The torso was only
identifiable after the attack by the distinctive clothing worn by the old
man. Luka's youngest wife was the only adult survivor in the Wakahangare homestead, though she was horrendously slashed across the
chest and head.
identifiable after the attack by the distinctive clothing worn by the old
man. Luka's youngest wife was the only adult survivor in the Wakahangare homestead, though she was horrendously slashed across the
chest and head.
As she fell to the ground with blood streaming down
her face, the young woman saw both her children killed, one just a toddler.
her face, the young woman saw both her children killed, one just a toddler.
The attack on the homestead of Charles Ikenya's family was hardly less brutal. Ikenya was one of the five headmen who worked under
Makimei's command. He had led the Home Guard patrol that had gone
to Wainaini's location that evening.
Makimei's command. He had led the Home Guard patrol that had gone
to Wainaini's location that evening.
His breathless dash back to his
homestead had been too late to save his wives and children. All the four
members of his entire extended family died in the attack.
homestead had been too late to save his wives and children. All the four
members of his entire extended family died in the attack.
A second,
younger headman, named Paulo, also shared in the tragedy. Paulo
returned to find the remains of his wife and all their children in the
smouldering debris of his homestead.
younger headman, named Paulo, also shared in the tragedy. Paulo
returned to find the remains of his wife and all their children in the
smouldering debris of his homestead.
Samson Kariuki, another fellow
elder in the Catholic church & a close associate of ex-Chief
Luka, was on Home Guard patrol when the attack began. Of the 13
members of Samson's family at home that evening, 9 perished,including a baby only a fortnight old who died in the flames.
elder in the Catholic church & a close associate of ex-Chief
Luka, was on Home Guard patrol when the attack began. Of the 13
members of Samson's family at home that evening, 9 perished,including a baby only a fortnight old who died in the flames.
Samson's other five
other young children all of whom were hacked to death whilst running
from the burning huts. The vivid testimony of one of Samson's wives,
Mujiri, dominated the press reports in the days following the massacre.
other young children all of whom were hacked to death whilst running
from the burning huts. The vivid testimony of one of Samson's wives,
Mujiri, dominated the press reports in the days following the massacre.
Mujiri the young woman described how she had watched one of her children
being slashed, and then seen his murderers lick the blood from the blade
that had decapitated the child.
being slashed, and then seen his murderers lick the blood from the blade
that had decapitated the child.
One of Lari's oldest and most respected elders, Kie
Kirembe, was among the dead. Like Luka, he died trying to defend the
women and children of his extended family. Four of Kie's sons were
members of the Lari Home Guard.
Kirembe, was among the dead. Like Luka, he died trying to defend the
women and children of his extended family. Four of Kie's sons were
members of the Lari Home Guard.
The family of Machune Kiranga,
another headman and Home Guard patrol commander, were also slaughtered. The same fate befell the families of Arthur Waweru, Nganga
Njehia and Mbogwa Muya.
another headman and Home Guard patrol commander, were also slaughtered. The same fate befell the families of Arthur Waweru, Nganga
Njehia and Mbogwa Muya.
Aside from these men, who were
directly linked to the Home Guard, prominent members of the African
District Council were also among the victims. Councillor Isaka Kagoru
was killed with his family, as were Ndonga Karukoi and Kimani
Wamboi.
directly linked to the Home Guard, prominent members of the African
District Council were also among the victims. Councillor Isaka Kagoru
was killed with his family, as were Ndonga Karukoi and Kimani
Wamboi.
All were substantial landowners, and each had business connections with Luka Wakahangare. From the fifteen homesteads attacked,
spread over an area of some 30 square miles, the final death toll was
seventy-four. Another fifty victims were wounded.
spread over an area of some 30 square miles, the final death toll was
seventy-four. Another fifty victims were wounded.
THE MASSACRE AFTERMATH
What followed after the Mau Mau had killed the loyalists & their families, was in fact another massacre which in fact had more casualties. The massacre that followed was worse than that of the Mau Mau but "luckily" it had the blessings of the colonial govt
What followed after the Mau Mau had killed the loyalists & their families, was in fact another massacre which in fact had more casualties. The massacre that followed was worse than that of the Mau Mau but "luckily" it had the blessings of the colonial govt
What followed was the real Lari Massacre. Someone asked:
“How can you call the murder of less than 200 people by Mau Mau who were fighting colonialists & settlers who had grabbed their land a massacre, instead of the assassination of more than 700 people killed in retaliation?”
“How can you call the murder of less than 200 people by Mau Mau who were fighting colonialists & settlers who had grabbed their land a massacre, instead of the assassination of more than 700 people killed in retaliation?”
Loyalists at Lari at first sought vengeance, not comfort. They turned
their anger and grief into violent reprisal. The Home Guard patrol
returning from Wainaini's location saw members of the gangs making
their escape and gave chase.
their anger and grief into violent reprisal. The Home Guard patrol
returning from Wainaini's location saw members of the gangs making
their escape and gave chase.
Through the night there was sporadic
shooting and skirmishing as the loyalists engaged what they thought to
be groups of the attackers. Anyone abroad in Lari that night was taken
as fair game.
shooting and skirmishing as the loyalists engaged what they thought to
be groups of the attackers. Anyone abroad in Lari that night was taken
as fair game.
Other Home Guard from Lari, led by Makimei, were soon
also in pursuit of the attackers. They were joined before midnight by
Home Guards from neighbouring locations, by police from Uplands and
Limuru, and by members of the KPR.
also in pursuit of the attackers. They were joined before midnight by
Home Guards from neighbouring locations, by police from Uplands and
Limuru, and by members of the KPR.
The devastation and horror they
witnessed on reaching the burned-out homesteads could not have been
easy to take in. Samson Kariuki, Machune Kiranga and others among
the survivors were there to give an account of what had happened.
witnessed on reaching the burned-out homesteads could not have been
easy to take in. Samson Kariuki, Machune Kiranga and others among
the survivors were there to give an account of what had happened.
In
their fear and anguish, the survivors were convinced that other Lari
residents must have been among the attackers: how, otherwise, could hundreds have disappeared so rapidly into the night if they had not taken
shelter in the homes of Mau Mau supporters within Lari itself?
their fear and anguish, the survivors were convinced that other Lari
residents must have been among the attackers: how, otherwise, could hundreds have disappeared so rapidly into the night if they had not taken
shelter in the homes of Mau Mau supporters within Lari itself?
Makimei
and his allies did not wait for corroboration of these suspicions, but set off
immediately to seek out those they believed might have been responsible
for the killings.
anybody who was not a Christian and was a landless Kikuyus was a target.
and his allies did not wait for corroboration of these suspicions, but set off
immediately to seek out those they believed might have been responsible
for the killings.
anybody who was not a Christian and was a landless Kikuyus was a target.
What followed in the second wave is not
easy to describe precisely, for we have no detailed record
of events,& there was never any official enquiry into the aftermath of
the Lari attacks. We cannot therefore say with any certainty who did
what to whom over the next few hours.
easy to describe precisely, for we have no detailed record
of events,& there was never any official enquiry into the aftermath of
the Lari attacks. We cannot therefore say with any certainty who did
what to whom over the next few hours.
All the same, there is no doubt
that a second massacre took place that night. It was perpetrated
by the Home Guard, later joined by other security forces, who took revenge on any persons in the location they could
lay their hands on whom they suspected of Mau Mau sympathies.
that a second massacre took place that night. It was perpetrated
by the Home Guard, later joined by other security forces, who took revenge on any persons in the location they could
lay their hands on whom they suspected of Mau Mau sympathies.
There
was anger, chaos and confusion; and there were beatings, shootings and
brutal, cold-blooded killings. the
Home Guard, police and KPR had exacted their bitter revenge and by morning, Some
700 bodies awaited identification at the local mortuary.
was anger, chaos and confusion; and there were beatings, shootings and
brutal, cold-blooded killings. the
Home Guard, police and KPR had exacted their bitter revenge and by morning, Some
700 bodies awaited identification at the local mortuary.
The bodies at the mortuary, were more than
six times, the number known to have been killed in the homesteads initially
attacked by the Mau Mau. Many other bodies were left in the bush, and some would not
be collected until four days later.
six times, the number known to have been killed in the homesteads initially
attacked by the Mau Mau. Many other bodies were left in the bush, and some would not
be collected until four days later.
The only contemporary
account of this second massacre, provided by the Irish lawyer Peter
Evans, estimated the combined total dead from both massacres at more
than 1,000 people.
account of this second massacre, provided by the Irish lawyer Peter
Evans, estimated the combined total dead from both massacres at more
than 1,000 people.
For weeks after the attack, Lari was a place of intense conflict and
bitter grievance.Seeing the pressing need to restore confidence among
the Kikuyu loyalists,the colonial authorities were determined to bring
prosecutions against those accused of participating in the massacre
bitter grievance.Seeing the pressing need to restore confidence among
the Kikuyu loyalists,the colonial authorities were determined to bring
prosecutions against those accused of participating in the massacre
Tens of Africans were arrested and imprisoned in connection to the massacre. No white or colonial home guard, was arrested for the bigger massacre that followed later in that day.
THE END.
If you liked the thread, if you've learnt something new and you feel like supporting the forum more, then 0759808105 is the Mpesa contact and Sharon Chepkemoi is the name.
If you liked the thread, if you've learnt something new and you feel like supporting the forum more, then 0759808105 is the Mpesa contact and Sharon Chepkemoi is the name.
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