A new initiative by the Mijikenda to have people learn about the legendary Mekatilili Wa Menza has started.
Mijikenda Kaya elders have initiated plans to revive the Mekatilili Menza gravesite at Bungale area in Magarini sub-county of Kilifi country so as to enable people to learn about the legendary Heroine.
The gravesite located at Ulaya Kwa Jele in Magarini acted as a key historical site where the annual Mekatilili Menza festival used to be celebrated but was abandoned for years.
Journalists accompanied the Mijikenda elders together with Mekatilili Menza family members in a visit to the site today and found the place in a bad state.
It’s only the gate for accessing the site and a permanent building built by Nature Kenya a conservation Non-Governmental Organisation that still stands.
The traditional houses that used to be there all collapsed a long time ago while the gravesite which used to be maintained had no structures at all.
Elders led by the National Coordinator of Mijikenda Kaya elders Tsuma Nzai Kombe said the day was very important in remembering the late Heroine who was buried at the site in 1924 after leading the masses to rebel against British Colonial Rule in what is known as The Giriama Uprising of 1913-1914.
Speaking at the gravesite together with other elders and the family of the late Heroine after conducting traditional rituals he said the family had resolved that the site need to be well maintained because it holds the key history of the country.
"There were differences because some people wanted to use the site for their personal gains family members sat down and made it clear that whoever wanted to celebrate the legendary heroine should do it at Bungale where she was buried.
Nzai who is also the Magarini cultural center director said Mekatilili hails from the Amwamkare clan and told all those from the clan including the former Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe and many others to come out and support in making the area vibrant.
Previously he said even the late Karisa Maitha a former popular cabinet Minister from the Coast are among those who launched the site and called on others to come out in large numbers and ensure the site reclaims its lost glory.
The coordinator also said elders still recognize Statehouse spokesperson Kanze Dena as their Heroine who spent two days at the site to do research and tell the story of the Heroine Mekatilili and wanted her to plan a visit in Bungale.
"We are appealing to the government,to ensure the Mijiekda heroine is treated in the same manner as the others in the country," he said.
Currently, he said the family of Mekatilili wants to start a foundation that will help in education, conservation and promote family values.
He appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure before he leaves office to recognize the area and set up a tower in memory of the Mijikenda heroine.
Already he said the differences which used to exist are over and the county government had committed itself to support their move but the site required to be developed to act as an ecotourism center for students and tourists to learn the rich history it holds.
"The National and county government should support the idea and ensure anything being done for Mekatrilili the family is involved," he said.
Alphonce Mkare Jefwa a great-grandson of Mekatilili said the heroine left behind a big family which has not been recognized by the government fully.
He said the Government only recognized her as a Heroine but the family is yet to be recognized.
"We want the National government to recognize this site where Mekatilili Menza was buried, the county government should also recognize us as the family," he said adding that any celebrations to commemorate the legendary heroine must be done at the site.
He said they still recognize Statehouse spokesperson Kanze Dena as a heroine too as she was among the journalists who visited the site to highlight the story of Mekatilili Menza.
She asked Dena to plan a visit to the site and help install a pillar in honor of the Mijikenda heroine
Dhahabu Ngumbao Mole an elder said Mekatilili was a heroine who played a key role in the freedom of the country but wondered why her gravesite was abandoned.
She called on the government to recognize the great-grandchildren of Mekatilili and their children and ensure they build a pillar at the site.
"We came to visit Mekatilili Menza gravesite, the grave had no clothes because its long since people visited people are celebrating the heroine in Malindi and other areas which are not right," she said.
Jonathan Wanje a Kaya elder alias Kenga Kihuhu said during the era of Karisa Maitha they used to honor the heroine but the site was abandoned.
Currently, he said they are keen to revive the site so as to bring back its lost glory adding that people like Dena are still being recognized as a Heroine for the role she played in publicizing the gravesite of Mekatilili.
“We still remember her for her efforts and would like her to plan a visit of Bungale which is being revived," he said
Gona Maleleo a local leader called on other leaders to join hands and help in the process of reviving the Mekatilili Menza site in Bungale.
