NAIROBI, Kenya- Late female freedom fighter Mekatilili Wa Menza, who led the Coastal people to resist British colonial rule, has been honoured in a book titled, “Empress of Revolt: Fight for the Motherland’s Soul”.
The author, Neema Gakweli Warrakah, hopes the Ministry of Education will favour and introduce her new book as a set book in schools.
However, Neema has urged Kenyans to embrace the reading culture. She believes books will help people remember and emulate Mekatilili’s rich legacy.
“This is a book where some things have not been told or written, and these are things that happened, but no one wrote them in detail like this. This story is very fascinating,” said Neema.
Who was Mekatilili wa Menza
According to coastal folklore, Mekatilili wa Menza is believed to have been born in the 1840s and is considered one of Kenya’s earliest freedom fighters.
Y News knows that the freedom fighter was born in Mutara wa Tsatsu Ganze village in Kilifi County, and her birth name was Mnyazi wa Menza.
Mekatilili organized the Giriama people to rebel against the British, who threatened their sovereignty and freedom with forced labour and taxation.
Menza died in the 1920s of natural causes, and the Mekatilili wa Menza Festival is held every August in her native county in her memory.
Meanwhile, Neema, who talked to journalists during the event, also said she intends for the younger generation and Kenyan scholars to read her book.
“This book encourages them a lot and is rich in language, culture and information,” she added.
What Mekatilili Wa Menza’s book entails
According to Alawy Abzein from Bibliophile, Mombasa, the book explains in detail the struggle for freedom, particularly Mekatilili’s role in fighting colonial rule.
“It is important for people to read because reading culture opens up your mind. It is entertainment, it inspires, and I hope that by reading this book, we would get more people who will fight for the rights of their people,” said Alawy.
Y News understands that Mekatilili wa Menza was one of Kenya’s highly revered heroes and freedom fighters and was once exiled to Kisii by the British for launching a relentless struggle against the colonial regime.
The book will be launched in the port city of Mombasa next week, where the author will take the stage to explain the new book’s multiple perspectives.
Neema’s writing is deeply rooted in her Mijikenda heritage. She invites readers on a captivating journey through the landscapes of imagination and the essence of cultural heritage.
