Nyeri Diocese now seeks to declare 27 Mau Mau war victims as Martyrs

A petition has been launched by the Catholic Diocese of Nyeri seeking the declaration of 27 devotees who were killed during the Mau Mau war of independence as Martyrs. The move is set to open debate on whether they were “traitors” – and on the role of church in the war of liberation.

Nyeri was heartland of the Mau Mau struggle and still takes pride for contributing a large number of freedom fighters. The Catholic church has appointed Dr. Waldery Hilgeman as the postulator – to guide the cause for beatification or canonization through the judicial processes required as by the Church. The Archdiocese of Nyeri is listed as the petitioner.

Some two weeks ago, the Mau Mau War Veterans Association denied allegations by the Catholic Church that some 75 faithful were killed by the group because they were Christians. Freedom fighter and former Juja MP Gitu Kahengeri told The Standard that if the church was convinced they were killed because of their faith, then the Mau Mau veterans had no capacity to prevent the Catholics from declaring them martyrs.

To the Mau Mau, all those killed were traitors who “betrayed” the struggle for liberation and the nation. "Mau Mau never forced anyone whether Christian or not to take an oath. Furthermore, those who refused to take the oath were not killed, most of us are Christians even to date and Catholics for that matter," Mr Kahengeri said. Some of those listed include Italian born Marianna Cavallo and two sisters Wangechi and Njeri (pictured)

The following are the Catholics whose martyrdom is under review via a diocesan inquiry:

1. MARIANO WACHIRA GICHOHI Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married Born: 1893 in (Kenya)

2. JOSEPH GACHERU MWANIKI Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married Born: 1882 in (Kenya)

3. Domenic Nyota Kamwaga Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married Born: 1906 in (Kenya) Died: 09 December 1952 in Karuthi, Othaya, Nyeri (Kenya)

4. Aloys Kamau Layperson of the diocese of Murang’a Born: 1929 in Njombe, Tuthu, Muranga West (Kenya) Died: 04 April 1953 in Rwathia, Muranga (Kenya)

5. Natalina Gakui Mariano Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married Born: 1894 in (Kenya) Died: 16 April 1953 in Karuthi, Othaya, Nyeri (Kenya)

6. Ambrosio Kerengo Layperson of the archdiocese of Nairobi Born: ? in Karima, Othaya, Nyeri (Kenya) Died: 16 April 1953 in Shauri Moyo, Nairobi (Kenya)

7. CIRIACO KAHAICHA Layperson of the diocese of Murang’a Born: 23 March 1933 in Konje, Murang’a (Kenya) Died: 11 May 1953 in Murang’a (Kenya)

8. Dominic Wambugu Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married Born: ? in Tetu, Nyeri (Kenya) Died: 30 May 1953 in Tetu, Nyeri (Kenya)

9. FAUSTINO WANDUMA Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri Born: ? in Tetu, Nyeri (Kenya) Died: May 1953 in Tetu, Nyeri (Kenya)

10. Silas “Burana” Kibuci Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married Born: in (Kenya) Died: June 1953 in Ngandu, Mathira, Nyeri (Kenya)

11. LEAH MARY NYAGUTHII Young layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri Born: 1934 in Gacuiro, Mathira, Nyeri (Kenya) Died: June 1953 in Gacuiro, Mathira, Nyeri (Kenya)

12. PETRO Njogu Njeru Layperson of the diocese of Murang’a Born: 1910 in Karimaini, Baricho, Kirinyaga West (Kenya) Died: 04 July 1953 in Kianyaga, Kirinyaga East (Kenya)

13. Peter mpui Layperson of the diocese of Meru; married Born: 1922 in Muthara, Meru (Kenya) Died: 14 August 1953 in Mikinduri, Meru North (Kenya)

14. Marianna Cavallo (Eugenia) Professed religious, Consolata Missionary Sisters Born: 16 February 1892 in Spinetta, Cuneo (Italy) Died: 28 September 1953 in Mujwa, Meru Central (Kenya)

15. Diomede Njoka Child of the diocese of Murang’a Born: 1938 in Karimaini, Baricho, Kirinyaga West (Kenya) Died: 16 October 1953 in Baricho, Kirinyaga West (Kenya)

16. Prassede Wangeci (Cecilia) Professed religious, Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Nyeri Born: 14 July 1922 in Tetu, Nyeri (Kenya)

17. Benedicta Njeri (Rosetta) Professed religious, Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Nyeri Born: 1914 in Gatanga, Muranga (Kenya) Died: 16 October 1953 in Kerugoya, Muranga (Kenya)

18. Lucas Mboge Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married Born: 1893 in (Kenya)

19. JOSEPH Wambugu Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married Born: 1890 in (Kenya)

20. Simon Ndegwa Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married Born: 1922 in (Kenya)

21. Rukwaro Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married; catechumen Born: 1920 in (Kenya)

22. Kuru MICINYO Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married; catechumen Born: 1925 in (Kenya) Died: 14 November 1953 in Mathari, Nyeri (Kenya)

23. PETRO Kamako Layperson of the diocese of Murang’a; married Born: 1899 in Zanzibar (Tanzania) Died: 21 November 1953 in Kianyaga, Kirinyaga East (Kenya)

24. Hibrahim Kaileki Layperson of the diocese of Meru; married; catechumen Born: 1920 in Mikinduri, Tigania East (Kenya) Died: 27 February 1954 in Mikinduri, Tigania East (Kenya)

25. Dionisio Wachira Layperson of the archdiocese of Nyeri; married Born: 1919 in Ithenguri, Tetu, Nyeri (Kenya) Died: 27 July 1954 in Mathari, Nyeri (Kenya)

26. Joanina Wakoori Layperson of the diocese of Murang’a; married Born: 1916 in Gitigiini, Kirinyaga West (Kenya)

27. Margaret Wambui Layperson of the diocese of Murang’a; married; catechumen Born: ? in (Kenya) Died: 26 March 1955 in Baricho, Kirinyaga West (Kenya)