THE POWER OF THE KIKUYU WOMAN SING HER SONG, DANCE TO HER TUNE. "KANYEGENYURI!" WHEN YOU DO, REMEMBER MARY MUTHONI NYANJIRU, WHO LED THAT DANCE.

But a quick run down of Kenya and its capital city. Nairobi was founded in 1899. In 1907 the British Colonial administration moves from Mombasa to Nairobi. In 1910 Nairobi becomes the official capital of Kenya. Now we can see how British Colonialism almost ruined 1 country, by treating the tribes as animals not as human beings. MEKATILILI WA MENZA 1ST KENYAN FREEDOM FIGHTER ~1840 to ~1920s She was born Mnyazi wa Menza in Mutara wa Tsatsu village, Kilifi County, into family of 4 brothers, Nzai, Hare, Kithi, Mwarandu and 1 sister. Early in her life, 1 of her brothers Kithi, was captured by Arab slave traders then never seen again, this happened when they went to Kilifi to trade. She then remembered the story from the prophetess Mepho, about the coming of strange people with hair like sisal, moving in flying vessels, as well as moving across water and land. At sometime Mekatilili was married, they had a son called Katilili, so her name changed to Mekatilili, meaning "Mother of Katilili." Also at sometime her husband either dies, is abducted, as she is widowed and alone, as there is no further mention of her husband or son. Now Mekatilili remembered that the strangers would erode away the Giriama cultural + tribal heritages, that they adhered to, that belonged to them. The forewarnings, prophecies, came true with the coming of the European, in the shape of The Imperial British East African Company, not only did they start plundering, local resources from around the coast, they were subjugating the local people, finally building a railway. Mekatilili was now widowed which game her more freedom, around the tribe and elders. She would preach telling her people to disregard, resist the British. As it was the IBEA were planning to move the Giriama, from their land near the Sabaki river, so they could have it for themselves. Also force the hated, dreaded "hut tax" on them. So it was that Mekatilili, at the age of 70, would call meetings with "The Kifudu Dance," normally a funeral dance, but was used as her call sign, as she went from village to village, passing her message to 1 and all. She would encourage her tribe to swear oaths of resistance against the British. She is also said to have had mystical powers, that came from the "Kaya," the Giriama shrines. 1 day a British administrator Arthur Champion, held a meeting at Chakama Kwa Hawe Wanje, to encourage the Giriama youth to join the British Army. This upset Mekatilili, so she got up approaching the administrator, with chicks and a hen in her hands, challenging Champion to take 1 of the chicks. As he went to snatch one of the chicks, the angry hen pecked his hand, humiliating him in front of his audience. Then she told him, "This is what you will get, if you try to take 1 of our sons." Then Champion shot the hen, Mekatilili slapped him, Champions bodyguard reacted by firing recklessly, into the a group of youths killing them. Hence the Nyere + Giriama war commenced. As a result of this incident, she and Wanje wa Mwadorikola another leader, were arrested sent to prison in Kisii, west Kenya. On Wednesday 14-1-1914 they escaped walking 700 kilometres from Kisii to Kilifi, without the British knowing. She was recaptured on Sunday 16-8-1914, after a revolt many of the tribe were shot, whilst trying to take her prisoner, their houses were burnt down, their "Kaya" shrines were burnt down, they were systematically bombed. In the same frenzied attack, on the Giriama the murdered tribe members, were burnt on the same fires as the sheep, by the deplorable, ignorant British. This freedom fighter was then sent to Kismayu, Somalia, but she escaped once again, this time the British were too busy with WWI, so they left her alone and she passed away in 1920. Mekatilili is buried in an area known as Dakatcha Woodland, it is the only place in the world, where a bird called "Clarkes' Weaver," builds their nest. The forests of Mrihi trees protects the fragile soil, moderates the climate, storing water for the wildlife and people. The landscape shaped by erosion, has created interesting depressions or nyari, 1 of them known as Hells Kitchen, is a popular tourist site. In her memory the Mekatilili wa Menza Festival is held annually. On Saturday 12-9-2015 A Heroines Monument was unveiled in Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi. An amazing statue and tribute to Mekatilili wa Menza. KIKUYU WOMEN OF KENYA-HOW FAR BACK DOES THE FEMINIST GO? There has been considerable notice, on the nature of womens' participation in national struggles. The importance of this interest, notation, is to recognise the female wiles, political agency, willing activity and, never to relegate them to the supporting role of the male; more often than not the woman is more dominant, dogged defiant than her male counterpart. The colonial literature has presented 2 caricatures, of womens involvement in nationalist oppressions, rebellions, revolts and struggles, 1 women as ignorant peasants threatened into feeding resistance fighters, 2 urban prostitutes stripped of tribal affiliation, connection, with nothing to loose in their participation. Reality compels you to know, that these women are not ignorant, not prostitutes, they are compelling, wise females who know what they are getting into, with or without the male support. This moment is quite possibly not singular, but expresses the power of 1 woman exerting her will, against colonial authority, then all her sisters see her defiance, anger and join her in the retribution of that moment; showing where the real power, authority, skills lay. Being highlighted is not a statement that suddenly happened, it had been building up within the tribal concourse, colonial antagonism, at being ignored by both male parties. So in this 1 single moment solidarity, sisterhood, feminism combine, to conquer surprise the uninitiated. The anti-colonial mobilisation among the Kikiuyu women in Kenya, where they wield political power, within their communities, whether to a lesser degree, or not, who am I to say; but none the less the wield enough, it should be more. Along with the Kikuyu male the woman was adversely affected, by colonial legislation, depriving them of land, especially as it was the female that performed most of the agricultural labour, for the overpopulated reserves on which they lived, often used as seasonal labour on coffee plantations, being forced to perform this communal labour, so as to pay tax according to the 1910 + 1934 laws, vexing troubling the Kikuyu woman. The womens revolt started after the arrest of Harry Thuku, 1 of the founders of The Young Kikuyu Association(later named East African Association) in 1921. Thuku was outspoken about a range of injustices attributed, instigated by the Colonial Government, as a result he mobilised support not only in Kenya, but also among influential and sympathetic people in England. Harry Thuku was particularly vehemently vocal about, the governments doubling of hut and poll taxes, alongside the reduction of African wages, oppression and over-bearing tribal police, enforced labour of women and children especially. It was the last grievance that led women to support Thuku. African chiefs were ordered the colonial authority, to seek out women and girls to work on European plantations, whose owners deliberately ignored the documented evidence of the indignities, suffered by these women and girls.(MUCH LIKE THEY DO TODAY-100 YEARS ON NOTHING HAS CHANGED) Gross abuses ensued, women were beaten , detained away from their homes, sexually molested by tribal retainers, as a result large numbers were impregnated. (Like I said nothing has changed! KALUZI FARM, KENYA, PART OF CAMELLIA PLC, KENT, UK, WHO SUPPLY TESCO, MARKS + SPENCERS, SAINSBURYS, LIDL, with avocado pears. 50 years of corruption, 1 mother says her son was killed by the security guards, human rights abuses rage as the farm and owners are being sued, for their indifference to the treatment of the workers. With reference to this Kenyan Farm + Camellia UK, they have finally admitted liability. In The Sunday Times, Page 5, dated 14-2-2021 Valentines Day, the header states : UK firm pays ￡4.6m to settle claims of "rape and murder" at avocado farm. Deal follows Sunday Times enquiry into alleged abuse by guards at Kenyan estate supplying British supermarkets. The British owners of a Kenyan farm, have paid substantial compensation to 85 victims of human rights abuses. Following a recruitment drive, more than 40% of the 350 security guards are now women. Camellia has also settled a case in Malawi, compensating 36 women who suffered sexual violence, including rape, while employed on a tea plantation.) ) At a meeting in February 1922, Harry Thuku told his followers to refuse to pay taxes, stop working on government projects; by this time his ideas had constituted a direct challenge, to the colonial rule, so he was arrested and taken to prison. After his arrest the EAA called a general strike, mobilising a crowd of more than 7,000 mostly male, the report stated 150 females were there, to march to the police station to secure his release. When the crowd was requested to disperse the women became angry, because they felt the men were capitulating to the immediate authorities. In an act of traditional symbolism, 1 of the women Mary Muthoni Nyanjiru, pulled her skirt above her shoulders while at the same time, ululating, heaping verbal scorn on the men, insinuating, implying the women would do, what the men should have done. Then other women behind her copied, the women offering to exchange their skirts for the mens trousers- the male symbol of manhood-a well understood insult. The symbolism was effective in taunting the men, signalling the womens repudiation of the authority, the womens challenge to the Kikuyu male, the sound of the female ululations, stopped the larger crowd from leaving. In the ensuing agitation the crowd lunged forward, the police opened fire, 21 including 4 women were massacred, many more were injured. Although short lived, unsuccessful in releasing Thuku, the rebellion was a strong testimony to the latent power and force, political dynamism, forthright determination of the Kikuyu woman, to defend their rights with direct action. The women had used a ritual practise, to score a political point. An exclusively female institution had challenged both tribal male monopoly, along with male colonial authority. The bravery, ingenuity of the woman was enshrined in the "Kanyegenyuri" dance + song, that later inspired female militancy. Their actions at the time, also showed that while the women did not wield as much power, as men, they had the critical capacity to mobilise themselves over a wide area, quickly, easily, that they also had the institutions, traditions, that bound the sisters together, their bonds were not to be messed with, or interfered with. Some suspect that the unity shown by the Kikuyu woman was down to "oathing," a practise that involved member swearing allegiance to the nationalist movement. But within a tribe when you are maligned, ignored due to gender, this generally makes the group tighter anyway, the bond stronger, their issues more durable, if spoken to, with other that are affected in the same way. The EAA was apparently the 1st organisation to oath women, but really was of no consequence as they denied any female membership. There is ample evidence of the Kikuyu woman, growing stronger and bonding, in later decades, in this form of association, to protect their interests such as, strikes, bettering work conditions. In 1934, thousands of women marched on to the Maru administrative station, demanding the corpses that were buried beneath the Native Authority Ordinance, be exhumed because the burials had caused a drought. The informal actions/rebukes/tirades/stoppages/upheavals, including long, loud vocal protests, as they sang songs about chiefs, chiefs retainers, who were forcibly obtaining their labour, under the guise of government policies. In 1938, a number of women went to Nairobi, to object to the planting of grass "wash stops." In 1939, a group of women looted an Indian shop, whose owner they felt was not giving them a fair price, for their agricultural produce. In the same year, another group demanded an old man, sacrifice a sheep, whose son had killed a man, this was the reason for their poor harvest. Another instance of protest involving the majestic woman, which came to be known as, "The Revolt of The Woman," between 1947 +1948 the women of Fort Hall, were working on the governments' soil conservation scheme. It was the female doing the bulk of the terracing design, then for whatever reason they decided, refused to participate any further, their boycott bringing the project to an abject standstill. The District Commissioner, found it impossible to believe that the women, had acted under their own supervision, direction, thought process. Such ventures into the political arena by the Kikuyu woman, are all the more remarkable because as a group, women in Kenya have largely been excluded from a formal education, from any participation in the colonial political system. They have confronted an informal coalition, of African + British male attitudes, at an institutional level, thought to be above their understanding, but were proved wrong. The Kikuyu woman became frustrated, overwrought, aggrieved, with the fact that their activism, was largely ignored, seen to be mainly supporting the male initiatives. In 1930 the Kikuyu female split from the EAA, forming their own more appropriate sisterhood, The Mumbi Central Association. When conditions demanded it, The Kikuyu Woman rose up with fire, force, ferocity, showing to everyone they had their own political voice and views; it was just as loud, perhaps louder than anyone elses, once they were given the chance to orally declare it. MARY MUTHONI NYANJIRU FIREBRAND JUSTICE SEEKER died Thursday 16-3-1922 was a Kikuyu woman who led the protests for the release of Harry Thuku, after his arrest. Mary was born in Weithaga, Murang'a. In 1922 she lived in Nairobi with her stepdaughter, Elizabeth Waruiru, she was an associate, supporter of Harry Thuku. On the morning of Thursday 16-3-1922, a delegation of 6 men were chosen to meet Sir Charles Browning, the Colonial Secretary. Who assured the delegation, that Harry had being detained, not arrested for an official hearing, with no danger to him at all. Upon their return the 6 man delegation, told the crowd that Harry was to be tried. Many of the crowd were incensed, rebellion was in the air, some of the crowd broke away feeling they could do nothing anyway. It was then a large group of women, pushed to the front accusing the delegation of bribery, being on the side of the colonial power. When they heard this, those leaving were compelled to come back, to re-join the protest. This is when Mary jumped to her feet, running to the front of the crowd, raising her dress to her shoulders shouting at the same time, insulting the men as much as she could. " You take my dress give me your trousers. You men are cowards. What are we waiting for? Let's get him." With that she turned walking all the way up to the askari(a native soldier used by the colonial force); who was knelt facing the crowd, with fixed bayonets. Ululations filled the air as the protesters surged forward, then the firing started from station, as well as civilians getting involved, who were sitting at the Norfolk Hotels' Delamere Terrace. Having rallied thousands, sad to say that Mary was the 1st to be shot and killed, with 55 others killed, with statements declaring if the civilians had not started shooting, less lives would have been lost. Obviously the Colonial Power did nothing about that! After this protest the increased taxes were abandoned, by the British Government. Not only is Mary remembered and memorialised in by the Kanyegenyuri dance + song, she is in the poem from the collection, "Mother Afrikas Matriots," " Mary Muthoni Nyanjiru who reignited a retreating volcano of workers." She also appeared in a theatre production, "Too Early For Birds-Kenyan Heroines and Heroes." It started in 2017, getting its premier stage performance, Wednesday 17-5-2017, produced by Abu Sense + Ngartia, received rave reviews. CAMPAIGN AGAINST FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN COLONIAL KENYA(AKA : FEMALE CIRCUMCISION CONTROVERSY) 1929-1932 This was a period within Kenyan historiography, known for the efforts by British missionaries, particularly The Church of Scotland, to put a stop to the practise of "irua"(circumcision), in Kenya, in particular with the Kikuyu. The campaign was met with resistance by the Kikuyu, the countrys' largest tribe. This rite of female passage, became the focal point of movement, campaigning for independence from British rule, also a test of loyalty either to the Christian Church, or The Kikuyu Central Association. The Kikuyu regard FGM, which they call "irua," as an important passage from childhood to adulthood, even at the tender age they commit the girl to the knife. It consists of 3 procedures : TYPE 1 "clitoridectomy" removal of the clitoral glands. TYPE 2 "excision" removal of clitoral glands + inner labia. TYPE 3 "infibulation" the removal of all the external genitalia + suturing the wound. The Kikuyu at that time practised type 2, sometimes type 3. Uncut Kikuyu women were outcasts, so abandoning the rite was unthinkable, to the vast majority of Kikuyu. Jomo Kenyatta(1st Prime Minister of an independent Kenya) had written in 1938 the following. " The real argument lies not in the defence of the surgical operation, or in its details, but in the understanding of a very important fact, in the tribal psychology of the Gikuyu, namely that this operation is still regarded as the very essence of an institution, which has enormous educational, moral and religious implications, quite apart from the operation itself. For the present it is impossible for a member of the tribe, to imagine an initiation without clitoridectomy. Therefore the abolition of the surgical element in this custom, means to the Gikuyu the abolition of the whole institution." (NB : FGM has been traced back to Egypt in the 5th century BC. Suggesting it was practised and/or originated on the west coast, of the Red Sea. Egyptian mummies show women infibulated-type 3 FGM, this is supported by a Greek papyrus dated 163 BC,) My assumption would be the instigation was male orientated by Pharos, their male advisers, a coven of male dominated overseers. Where the woman would have no say, in her body, how it was used, in context would have been a slab of meat, for the male partner to do as he liked with. Now here is another man, who does not have to got through the pain, anguish, terror, stating it is OK for the female Kikuyu to go through this procedure, removing all the items, that enable her to reproduce, then become a mother. Am I missing something? Has the Kikuyu Female been so indoctrinated? Back to the original content. The campaign of "against FGM," had been led since 1906 by Doctor John Arthur, of The Church of Scotland. In March 1928 the issue came to a head, when the Kikuyu Central Association, announced it would contest elections, to the Native Council, with the defence of the Kikuyu culture including FGM as its main platform. In April 1928, the church at Tumutumu, announced all baptised members must offer a declaration of loyalty, by swearing their opposition to FGM. Several other church missions followed suit. In 1929 Marion Stevenson, a Scottish Missionary began referring to the procedures as the, "sexual mutilation of women," rather than "female circumcision/initiation," then The Kenyan Mission Council followed suit. Then a sexagenarian American missionary, Hulda Stumpdf, who had taken a strong stance against FGM, in her lonely home near The African Inland Mission Station, at Kijabe, was found murdered and mutilated on Friday 3-1-1930. Stories saying that she had the circumcision performed on her, before she was killed. (I have managed to find 2 newspapers, who reported the story at the time, 1 National American, 1 local British.) THE NEW YORK TIMES DATED Monday 6-1-1930 : Woman Missionary Murdered In Africa; Miss Hulda Stumpf American Is Believed to have been smothered after an attack, Slayer Sought at Kijabe Church Organisation Head Quarters. Here believing finger printing Natives Will Aid Search. SHEFFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH DATED Monday 6-1-1930 : MISSIONARY MURDERED Battered to death. All Kenya has been shocked, the discovery of the mutilated body of American Missionary Hulda Stumpf a sexagenarian. The mechanics of the murder and the finding of the body, the subsequent trial go something like this." Kakoi Gashingiri 14 years old, arrived at Huldas' cottage 3-1-1930, 6 am, like he always had done since his employment there. The 63 year old spinster due to her brusque manner, had lived in the little cottage since 1911, because she did not like company. When Kakoi reached the cottage his friend of the same age, Mwangi Gachie was already in the kitchen doing breakfast. So Kakoi went Huldas' bedroom knocking on the door, no reply. He tried again a little later, still no response, his friend told Kakoi to try the door. The door was open so he went to wake Miss Stumpf, but he found Huldas' desecrated body on her blood soaked bed. He ran to the missions Field Director Lee Downing, while he got dressed his wife went to the scene, within minutes the news of her death was conveyed to everyone. 3 weeks following the crime 24-1-1930, the Kenya Police arrested Mtua Nzomo 16 years of age, as his fingerprints were found on the bedrail, lamp and clock 3 legal proceedings followed the death; (1) Inquest : held in January 1930 at Kijabe, under the authority of Kiambu District Commissioner, Sidney Fazan. A finding of murder was declared. (2) In October 1930, an African man Mtua Nzomo, appeared before Fazan in his capacity as 2nd Class Magistrate. Nzomo was charged with murder, the case committed to trial in Nairobi.(3) High Court Proceedings followed. They were conducted before Chief Justice Barth, in what was to prove a controversial trial. The assailant broke her window with a rock, Hulda was partially deaf, so probably did not hear him until the last minute. She was thrown back a pillow used to stifle her screams, then he knelt on her chest, applying too much pressure broke her nose, Hulda suffocated. That was considered to be the cause of death. The main controversy that was never settled was, the serious wounds to her vagina, both government pathologists agreeing the wounds were caused by, an inexperienced surgeon, handling a Kikuyu circumcisers' knife. That Hulda Stumpf had been the victim, of an unsuccessful clitoridectomy, which happened to be a consequence of the "female circumcision crisis." The final outcome was Mtua Nzomo was acquitted.(if you would like to see the whole report and court case you will need to go to : academic.oup.com/ehr/article/133/565/1512/5193215 OR Women Missionaries and Colonial Silences in Kenyas' Female "Circumcision" Controversy 1906-1930. On Monday 29-12-1930, the issue of FGM(raised by the same female MP previously on 11-12-1929), was raised yet again by Katharine Stewart-Murray Duchess of Atholl, Marchioness of Tullibardine DBE(Scottish Unionist Party) and Eleanor Rathbone(Independent MP). The Duchess told The House of Commons, "We have been terribly impressed by what we have learned on a subject on which I put a question to-day to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, namely, the existence of a pre-marriage rite among young girls, among many African tribes a rite which is frequently referred to as the circumcision of girls. We have heard that this obtains in Southern Nigeria and among one tribe in Uganda, but we understand that it exists in its worst form among the Kikuyu tribe in Kenya. Our Committee has been assured by medical men, and by missionaries who have attended these women in hospital, and in their homes, that the rite is nothing short of mutilation. It consists of the actual wholesale removal of parts connected with the organs of reproduction. The operation performed publicly before one or two thousand people by an old woman of the tribe armed with an iron knife. No anaesthetic is given, and no antiseptics used." Eleanor Rathbone asked that the words, "of sex" be added to the motion, then before the House : " Native self-governing institutions should be fostered; and franchised and legal rights should be based upon the principle of equality for all without regard to race colour, or sex." From the MUTHIRIGU-1929-KIKUYU DANCE AND SONGS AGAINST CHURCH OPPOSITION TO FGM : Little knives in their sheaths/That they may fight with the/church./The time has come/Elders(of the church)/When Kenyatta comes/You will be given womens/clothes/And you will have to cook him/his food. Also : Katharine Stewart-Murray Duchess of Atholl, Marchioness of Tullibardine DBE Conservative MP for Kinross + West Perthshire, was the 1st woman in Scotland to be elected to Parliament in 1923. In 1924 she was appointed as parliamentary secretary to The Board of Education. Now just a quick overview of the Mau-Mau uprising, lasting from 1952 to 1960, so I can introduce the next young lady. This was a violent grass-roots resistance movement, launched by the Kikuyu and related ethnic groups, against the British colonial government in Kenya. It had its beginnings, origins in the sense of deprivation, theft and mistreatment felt by the Kikuyu, who had lost much of their land, property, belongings, to the imposing stealth, greed, land-grabbing of the European. Expulsion of the Kikuyu peoples from white settlers farms, loss of large swathes of tribal lands to the incumbent white settler, poverty, lack of political representation for the Kenyan, provided the impetus for revolt, rebellion perhaps even war. Supposedly during the 8 year aggression, we are led to believe that the deaths incurred were : 32 white settlers, 200 British police and soldiers(it does not report if that count, includes the Askari), 1800 African civilians. The Mau-Mau were fighting for 3 things : freedom, self-governance, to reclaim there tribal lands. So on that note we will now get introduced to : FIELD MARSHALL MUTHONI KIRIMA OF THE KENYA LAND AND FREEDOM ARMY(this is what the British referred to as the Mau-Mau) born in Nairutia, Kenya, 1931.with the name Muthoni Whihuini from her grandfather, she was very young when her family moved to Karing'u, for a better life. She remembered the long, hard journey for her as a young girl. They had to travel 15 kilometres, half on a small saddleless donkey, the other half she had to walk, on her own little legs. During her time in Karing'u, Muthoni 1st learnt about Christianity, becoming infatuated with it, as a child she went to the missionaries tent, with the other children to learn bout this belief. By the time she was 8, Muthoni started her long standing belief, devotion to the church. Muthonis' first real taste of racial violence, between the white settlers and Kikuyu, came when she was doing child labour(so much for the church securing the safety of children), at a European farm. During this period of her life, she saw, recognised inhumanity at its worst, verbal and emotional abuse, physical violence towards Kikuyu men, sexual violence and debasement towards Kikuyu women. This is what drove her resolve to fight for independence, to free her people, to free her country from bondage. In 1948 she met her husband Mutungi Gichuhi, who was a young cook working at the same farm. After their wedding the couple moved to the edge of Nyeri town, to start their own life. Muthoni became a trader, her husband a cook. Muthoni first took the oath of allegiance, to The Kenya Land and Freedom Army, in 1952, from that moment she had to balance being part of the revolution, with family responsibilities. She started out by using her connections as a trader, to get information, events, that were happening to The Freedom Army, who were in the forest. She also organised the oaths of other people, this was extremely hard on her because at the time, her husband had not taken the oath, she felt guilty lying to him. This all changed in 1953, when Mutungi decided to take the oath, so he could join The Freedom Army. The same day Muthoni took her husband, a goat, to her father-in-laws' home in Kinaini forest; where he took the oath, the last time they saw each other until 1963. The next day Chief Muhoya, who was an African colonial chief in Kenya, sent soldiers to Muthonis' house to check on her husband, as he was a candidate for Kamatimu, which was the loyalist group headed by Chief Muhoya. When questioned Muthoni told them, he had gone to get some eggs but had not returned yet. They left returning 3 days later, suspecting he had taken the oath, they beat Muthoni relentlessly, she describes it in an interview she gave in 2012. "I was beaten up. They kicked me with their boots, until I could hardly move. Blood oozed from my nostrils. They left me for unconscious." Muthoni credits this incident as the turning point, that made her want to not just be in the village helping, but to be in the forest fighting. Muthoni then took off to the forest, for a week she was on her own until she found the Mau-Mau. She started her time as a non-combatant, like most of the women; cooking, looking after the soldiers, nursing injuries, getting ammunition, grenades from the market. She quickly impressed her fellow soldiers, with her shooting skills, her quick thinking, before long she was leading platoons of her own, helping break the gender norms of the Freedom Army. In an interview from 2015 a vetran female soldier talks thus. " There was 1 woman called Muthoni, I was with her. She feared nothing. She used to go out to war with men because she did not fear. She was a dangerous woman ; even men feared her." Muthoni was 1 of the female leaders of the movement, she rose through the ranks quickly. However not all rank promotions were to do with combat. The Freedom Army also rewarded people for non-military skills, achievements, encouraging other people. Muthoni was promoted a few times, because of her own resources. When a food shortage was noticed, she would go out of her way to provide for all, she was also a great medic, so along with her combat skills, she soon reached the dizzy heights of Field Marshall. After the rebellion when independence came, Muthoni and her husband tried to create a new life, it was hard with no cash, no capital, no belongings, even thought they had fought for an independent Kenya, they saw no reward, no gain only destitution. So the couple had to beg for food on the streets, even sleeping on them too, as they had nowhere else to go. The Freedom Army flourished now in power, but had forgotten their soldiers; they forgot, they did not care, just like the white settler greed got the better of them, selfishness was the name of the game, Muthoni and her husband were abandoned, by those they helped to get into power. The Field Marshall tired of the situation they were in, she went into the Mayor of Nairobis' office, Muthoni takes up the story. " When I walked into his office, I did not first talk to him, I just lay down on the mat. He rose up and asked me what my problem was. I told him, I was not going to leave until he gave me a place to stay, and if none was available, he was to leave me sleeping on his office mat as he went home." After that the mayor found her a place, where she lives today in Nyeri. Today she is still alive although not many people, know who she is, what she has achieved, done for Kenya, she does get visitors, who like to hear her story. 1990 : Muthoni served as a nominated councillor, on Nyeri County Council. 1998 : President Moi awarded her a medal for distinguished service. 2014 : President Kenyatta awarded her the Head of State Commendation. In 2012 Muthoni told The Daily Nation, "Kenya is my only child." Where she refers to a miscarriage in the forest, which left her unable to conceive again . As of 2013 she still supports her Dreads, she grew when fighting the British. Telling everyone, she will not cut her hair until she sees the benefits of independence. ELIZABETH NYARUAI born 1917 Elizabeth was brought up on a European farm, where her father was a herdsman. She was 1 of the first African women to join the scout movement, when she was 10. Elizabeth also met the man Baden Powell, in 1927, when he came to Kenya. Elizabeth was Kenyas' 1st WPC(Woman Police Constable), apparently she lives alone in a hut, on a 89 acre plot of land, that President Jomo Kenyatta gave her in 1960. GRACE EMILY OGOT(nee AKINYI) AUTHOR POLITICIAN DIPLOMAT NURSE KENYA LUO 15-5-1930 to 18-3-2015 Grace was born into a Christian family in Asembo, Nyanza. Her father Joseph was one of the 1st men to receive a western education, shortly after he converted to the Anglican Church, where he taught at the Church Missionary Societys' Ng'iya Girls School. From her father she leant, stories from the Old Testament. More importantly from her maternal grandmother, she learnt, understood, the inspirational Luo tribal culture, the folk tales that put her to sleep. Grace attended the Ng'iya Girls School, then the Butere High School, throughout her youth. From 1949 to 1953 Grace trained as a nurse, at The Nurses Training Hospital in Uganda. Grace then followed that with a trip to London, to St. Thomas Hospital for Mothers and Babies, from 1958-59 as a midwifery tutor. On her return home she took up the role of scriptwriter for the BBC, a Community Development Officer in Kisumu County, a Public Relations Officer, for the East Africa Office of Air India Corporation. Grace also co-founded The Writers Association of Kenya; after having served as a UN delegate for Kenya, in 1975. Then a member of the UNESCO delegation in 1976. In 1962 Grace the author, discovered after reading her short story, "A Year of Sacrifice," that she was the only East African woman, to present her work at a conference in Makere; this made her eager, even more motivated to see her work published. Grace was then interviewed in 1974 for, "Voice of America," that was aired in between 1975-1979, in a series titled "Conversations With African Writers(Grace appears in episode 23). Grace Ogot was then appointed to The National Assembly of Kenya in 1983(was there until 1992), she was elected to a vacant seat in 1985, becoming the assistant minister of Culture and Social Services(keeping that position until 1993). Grace also appeared on "Voice of Kenya," radio and TV; Grace was also a columnist in The East African Standard. In 2018 3 of her novels were published posthumously, by her husband. They were : "Simbi Nyaima-The Lake that Sank, The Royal Bead, Princess Nyilaak." GRACE MONICA AKECH ONYANGO MAYOR OF KISUMU THE 1ST FEMALE MP IN A POST-INDEPENDENT KENYA born: 26-6-1924 AN IMMORTAL LOOKS LIKE THIS! Grace was the 1ST WOMAN MP in a post-independent Kenya. Shattering, sending the shards of glass in all directions, of the so-called glass ceiling. Mama Grace Onyango was a teacher-turned-politician, at the cusp of Uhuru, when she began defying gender standards, even destroying them to some degree. She gained her footing/knowledge/temperament/ from being the 1ST FEMALE MAYOR of Kisumu from 1-4-1965 to1969. As Nya Bungu(daughter of the bush) taught the Kisumu Union Primary School during the day, then attending the council meetings after classes. The 2nd of 9 children Grace experienced gender prosecution/discrimination first hand at the hands of the misogynistic male councillors, that ruled the roost. To level the uphill playing field, Grace campaigned for women(wife, daughter, sister) to be able to replace any male employee, at the municipal council who died or retired from his post. This and many other by-laws made her very popular, while she served as Mayor/councillor. Grace married teacher/journalist Onyango Baridi, who had 6 children together. When Mathias Ondiek died in 1965, the popularity of the 1st woman Assistant Commissioner of the Girl Guides/Chair of Child Welfare Society, Kisumu District, was such that in 1969, that Grace held down, beat 10 male opponents to become Kisumu Town MP. Sadly that was the same year Graces' husband died, leaving her with their 6 children. In 1975 Grace was on the Parliamentary Committee, investigating the assassination/murder of Josiah Mwangi Kariuki. When the Committee Chair Elijah Mwangale tabled the report, it was Grace who pointed out, that it had been doctored at State House, by non-other than a certain Jomo Kenyatta himself, before its publication. How did Grace know? 2 politicians had secreted the original report away in the Parliamentary Room 7. The 2 politicians involved were : Martin Shikuku and Grace Monica Onyango. President Jomo Kenyatta had deleted the names of Mbiyu Koinange-Minister of State, along with Kenyattas' own enforcer Wanyoike Thungu, from the report. That is the time the rest of the world, got to know that Jomo Kenyatta was tied in with the murder. Grace also lobbied successfully to abolish bicycle taxes, Grace was the 1ST WOMAN to sit in the Speakers Chair, serving as Deputy Speaker, from 1979 -84 during her 15 years in government, other females added to power of suffrage as well. There was Doctor Phoebe Aslyo + Chelegat Mutai. The immortal lady of many parts left active politics, when she lost her seat in the 1979 General Election. In 1989 Grace was quoted as saying, " As a politician, I wanted to prove to the "just government of men" that women can do just as well if given the chance, which I think I did." Grace was the 1ST FEMALE Secretary-General of The Luo Union. Grace has been awarded : Order of The Burning Spear 1ST Class. Chief of The Burning Spear. The Kisumu Social Centre now renamed : Mama Grace Onyango Social Centre. PHOEBE ASIYO born : 12-9-1932 Phoebe was a schoolteacher for a short while, she joined The giant Maendeleo ya Wanawake(grassroots womens organisation) in 1953, then 5 years later was its president. Phoebe was the 1ST KENYAN WOMAN to become a Senior Supervisor of the Kenyan Prison Service. Phoebe was instrumental in implementing rehabilitation projects, like separating male/female prisoners. During her time at the prison service Phoebe, fought for girls education/womens rights/gender equality. Phoebe also led an active life in elective politics, taking the Karachuonyo seat twice from 1979 to 1983 + 1992 to 1997, Mama Asiyo had the distinction of being the longest serving female MP, until Beth Mugo took that distinction, doing a 3rd term as Dagoretti MP. Phoebe has been the Chair of the Caucus for Women Leadership since 1977, she has also served as a member Of The Parliamentarians of Global Action, a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Development Fund for Women, for the past 17years. In 2009 Phoebe was recipient of The Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya, becoming the 1ST WOMAN ELDER, a rarity in Kenyas' 42 communities. Phoebe was installed as an elder according to The Luo Custom : being crowned with a LIGISA(traditional Luo cap), handed an ORENGO(ceremonial Flywhisk), along with the GOATSKIN APRON adorned with beads/seashells, also with a matching skirt. Phoebe has also been decorated with : The Order of the Burning Spear 1ST CLASS Chief of The Burning Spear. PHILOMENA CHELEGAT MUTAI MP 1949 to 8-7-2013 Philomena was born in Terige, Lessos, Nandi. Early on her social/political activities got her expelled from Highlands Girls School, for leading a students strike. Philomena enrolled into The University of Nairobi, to study political sciences, she was the student leader/editor of the student newspaper, "The Platform." Because of her radical ideas/political stands-views, she was often suspended. 6 months after graduating, then consulting with her mentor Jean-Marie Seroney, the seat for Eldoret North became vacant after William Saina MP was imprisoned for incitement. Philomena contested the seat against far more experienced opponents, at the age of 24 became the youngest MP in the Kenyan Assembly. Together with her friend Jean-Marie, they fought for better governance, going beyond Nandi Nationalism; Philomena even criticised Jomo Kenyattas' decision, to make land pacts with the British. Philomena joined a group of vocal legislators derisively labelled, "The 7 Bearded Sisters," by the Attorney General Charles Njonjo. In 1976 Philomena was prosecuted for inciting squatters, to invade a sisal farm in Ziwa; she was sentenced to 30 months in prison/loosing her seat in the process. Philomena was released in September 1978, then in the following year 1979 in the General Election, Philomena regained her Parliamentary Seat. During this term she was very vocal about, the Governments performance/response to the 1980 famine. In 1981 Philomena fled to Tanzania, after learning about a plot to detain her again, over false mileage claims. Philomena returned 3 years later, to check on her ailing mother, with her return she reconciled with the KANU government. She was appointed to a senior position in The Kenya Commercial Bank, she worked within the KANU HQ, as well as The Standing Committee on Human Rights. Then she was fired from her position on The Human Rights Committee, through a radio bulletin in 1999, withdrawing to her fathers farm in Terige. In 2006 Philomena was involve in a road accident, which confined her to a wheelchair. She spent the rest of her life destitute, at one point living with a friend in her 1 room house, on an estate in Nairobi. So this is the way THE MALE PROTAGANIST TREATS HIS FEMALE COLLEAGUE, WITH SPITE AND RETRIBUTION? Then as a front her plight is highlighted in 2011, by a visit from the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, which I am sure achieved nothing at the time. Then 2 years later Philomena passes away relatively unnoticed. MICERE GITHAE MUGO(born : MADELEINE MICERE GITHAE) PLAYWRIGHT AUTHORPOET ACTIVIST born 1942 KENYA : since 1984 now ZIMBABWEAN Micere was born in Baricho, Kirinyaga District, the daughter of 2 progressive teachers who were politically active, in Kenyas' fight for independence. Micere received a solid primary/secondary education in Kenya. Attending the Alliance Girls High School, also becoming 1 of the 1st Kenyan students, to be allowed to enroll in a previously segregated academy. Later attending Makerere University gaining her BA-1966, University of New Brunswick MA-1973, University of Toronto PhD-1978. Micere took up a teaching position at the University of Nairobi in 1973,1978,1980, where she became Dean of the faculty of Arts; making her the 1ST FEMALE FACULTY dean in Kenya. Micere taught at the University of Nairobi until 1982, she has also taught at the University of Zimbabwe. Micere was a political activist fighting against human right abuses in Kenya, this activism led her to being harassed/arrested by the police. Micere and her family which included 2 young daughters, were forced to leave Kenya in 1982, after the Daniel Moi coup. She became an official target of his government whereby she was regularly harassed. Micere was stripped of her Kenyan citizenship, but it was soon replaced by a Zimbabwean one. Micere has written, taught worked from abroad since she left Kenya and, gained her other nationality. Micere states, "I'm a child of the universe. I have lived in almost all continents." Micere is the founder/president of The Pan-African Community of Central New York, where she initiated volunteer programmes for 2 prisons; she has been an official speaker for Amnesty International; a consultant for " Africa on the Horizon," series by Blackside. Currently she works on many foundation/with many journals. Micere also served as the Chair for The Southern Africa Regional Institute for Policy Studies, in Harare. She is currently a lecturer in The Pan African Studies at Syracuse University,(private research facility/university) New York, where she continues with her writing/activism. Micere is a distinguished poet/author of some 15 books. JUSTICE EFFIE OWUOR retired BURNING SPEAR 2ND CLASS PIONEER IN WOMENS/CHILDRENS RIGHTS born 1943 Effie was born in Kakamega County, Kenya, during the colonial era. She attended Butere Girls High School, where she completed her O levels 1958-1961. Then joining The Alliance Girls, where she completed her A levels by 1963. Effie then joined The University of East Africa, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, attaining her Bachelor of Law degree. Effies career started as a State Counsel, in the Attorney Generals Chambers; being appointed Resident Magistrate in 1971, then in 1974 attaining the promotion to Senior Magistrate. She presided over purely criminal matters for a decade; then a stint in the State Law Office in 1967, was the start of her ascendency to becoming the 1ST FEMALE STATE COUNSEL/PROSECUTOR, with a reident/senior Magistrates appointment. In 1983 President Moi appointed her to the High Court, taking her place rightfully as the 1ST FEMALE JUDGE. At the High Court, later The Court of Appeal she presided over complex civil, criminal, constitutional cases/appeals. In her tenure as a judge she chaired/commissioned various task forces. Notably together with Cecil Miller/CB Maden in 1983, to the Judicial Commissions of Inquiry, to investigate the conduct/corruption allegations against former Attorney General Charles Njonjo. As her career progressed Effie broke the "Glass Ceiling" how many times? Effie Owuor was THE 1ST KENYAN WOMAN TO : 1 Gain a law degree from The University of East Africa; 2 be Prosecutor in Kenyas' Attorney Generals Office; 3 be a Resident Magistrate; 4 be a Senior Magistrate; 5 a Female Judge in Kenya; 6 to Judge in Kenyas' Court of Appeal; 7 sit on a historical Commission of Inquiry. A mother of 6 she is a strong advocate of womens/childrens rights/laws, it was she that an instrument in stewarding the development, of the Childrens Act, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF. Today Kenyan children are protected by The Childrens Act 2001, because of her position as Chair of the National Task Force from 1992-1996. Much of Effies' 33 years was dedicated to pioneering womens rights/emancipation; unfortunately when these subjects are discussed Effies name is never mentioned, when it should be very positively; especially with the Marriage Bill/Constitution. A fate of wilful neglect, the suffocation of female contribution, by even greater ignorant biased hateful male governances. Despite sitting on various task forces, that reviewed the degradation of the female; the death of Effies' husband brought calls for her to follow, the antiquated, out-dated, male-orientated LUO CUSTOM OF WIDOW INHERITANCE.(I am guessing this was instituted by men, for their own gain/profit at the expense of the widow. Leaving her with nothing, even is she had children, so unable to support herself or her children.) Contrary to the custom Effie stood her ground, not allowing the discriminatory practise to impede/enter her life; she objected against the practise/belief of Luo culture. "That when a man died, his wife was defiled by an evil spirit. so she had to be cleansed by the local village idiot, by having sex with him, even if he had a venereal disease, without a condom." (Colloquially known as "KUSASA FUMBI," this would leave the widow open to catching any of the 20 variants of STD eg: Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhoea, HPV, HIV/AIDS, Pubic Lice, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis.) Effie posed the question. "What is dirty about me. What good is there for the widow, in this custom?" Effie called the custom repugnant averred that it should NOT be practised in modern society, or in any society. As a prominent leader Effies attack on "Widow- Cleansing + Inheritance-raping," reverbated everywhere in Kenya. After taking early retirement in 2003, due to an accusation of corruption, by the Aaron Ringera anti-corruption report, the lady lives on her farm in Chemelil. Effie embodies the spirit/drive of the female pioneer, breaking the 96 year male grip on the judiciary establishment. She has presided over/championed womens/childrens rights, throughout her long notable career. Effie leaves a legacy of passion, commitment, farsightedness, towards the advancement of female human rights, Serving as a guide/example/programme/footsteps to follow in, for the next incumbent female judiciary. 18TH NOVEMBER 2018 : Effies' farm manager Paul Benjo is murdered, her son Paul Owuor is seriously injured, in an open attack; at her farm in Chemelil, Muhoroni. 2 suspects have been captured : Isaac Kiptoo Rono alias Malakwen & Julius Kipyego have been charged with attempted murder, released on bail. The case continues Monday 20-4-2021. RAYCHELLE OMAMO CABINET SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF KENYA born : 6-7-1962 Raychelle studied law at The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK, + University of Nairobi. Raychelle is a Senior Counsel/Advocate of The High Court for 27 years. She was The Chair of The Law Society of Kenya 2001-3, after serving as a council member from 1996-2000. Raychelle has also served Kenya, as their Ambassador to France, Spain, Portugal, The Holy See + Serbia. Also serving as Kenyas' Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, 2003-9. Raychelle was also a member of the Task Forces involved in : establishing The Truth Justice + Reconciliation Commission for Kenya, The Landlord/Tenant Law, Counsel to The Ndung'u Commission. Raychelle also served as Cabinet Secretary of Defence/Chair of The Defence Council April 2013-January 2020, in the Uhuru Kenyatta administration(the 1ST FEMALE to hold this position in Kenya) whilst also the Acting-Cabinet Secretary of Labour/Social Protection. Raychelle currently holds the position of, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs for Kenya. She is also currently the Vice-President of The East African Law Society, as well as Ambassad/Director Mo-Consulty Ltd. NG'ENDO MWANGI born : ~1950s to ~1989 KENYAS' 1ST FEMALE PHYSICIAN Born in Kinoo, Kiambu District, attending Loreto High School, Limuru, then as part of the pioneering class enabled Ng'endo to study further in the USA, under the Kennedy Airlifts Program, which happened just before Kenyan independence. She was the 1ST KENYAN/AFRICAN LADY to attend Smith Womens College, Northampton, Massachusetts, she graduated in 1961. Then becoming the 1ST KENYAN/AFRICAN LADY student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City. In 1967, Ng'endo formally changed her name to Florence Gladwell. Then returning to Kenya as a qualified physician, she opened her first practise in Athi River Clinic, south-east Nairobi; where she was the only doctor for 300,000 Massai. Some of her patients trekking 80+ miles to receive her attention/medication for TB, tetanus, diarrhoea, malaria, polio, chickenpox, measles. In 1987 she founded the Reto Medical Centre, Sultan Hamud. Members of the Black Student Alliance, made a case for additional campus facilities, in 1973, when the Mwangi Cultural Centre was established/named in her honour. In 1987 Ng'endo was awarded an honorary degree by Smith College. Her daughter Professor Wambui Mwangi, who also attended Smith College, delivered a keynote speech, addressing the dedication of the Afro/American Cultural Centre in 2005. JUDI WAKHUNGU b~1960s KENYAN DIPLOMAT/POLITICIAN Professor Judi Wakhungu received her BSc degree-Geology, St. Lawrence University, New York 1983. Her MSc-petroleum geology, Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada 1986. Dr.Ph-energy resources management, Pennsylvania State University 1993. Judi was the 1ST WOMAN hired as a geologist in The Ministry of Energy + Regional Development. Also the 1ST FEMALE petroleum geologist to serve in The National Oil Corporation of Kenya. Judi was also the 1ST FEMALE FACULTY at The Department of Geology, at The University of Nairobi. Judi has also served as 1 Executive Director-African Centre for Technical Studies-Nairobi. 2 Associate Professor of Science, Technology Society-Pennsylvania State University. 3 Director of Women in Science/Engineering Institute. 4 Energy Advisor-Energy Sector Management Programme-World Bank. 5 Member of Scientific Advisory Board/UN Secretary General. Judi was also credited with enforcing the ban on the manufacture/distribution of plastic bags in Kenya. While she was Cabinet Secretary for The Environment. She currently is The Kenyan Ambassador for, France/Portugal/Serbia/Monaco/The Holy See. DOCTOR MONICA JUMA born ~1963 DEFENCE CABINET SECRETARY FOR KENYA(since 14-1-2020), previously CABINET SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS(1/2016 to 2/2018) Monica has also served as Principal Secretary-Department of Interior/Ministry of Interior + Coordinator of National Government. She led the team that reforms/drove the reforms for transformations of national security policy/architecture/operations in National Administration/immigration/registration of persons department/National Police Service. Monica initiated work/ideas that led to the development of counter-terrorism/violent extremism strategies. Creating multi-agencies in tackling internal/external security measures. Monica now works in bolstering the professional approaches /stature of the Kenyan Defence Forces. Monica studied at The University of Nairobi-BA + MA; Oxford University-Refugee Studies-DPh. She has also been the Kenyas Amabassador to Ethiopia, Djbouti, African Union, Inter-Government Authority on Development, UN Economic Commission for Africa. IRENE KOKI MUTUNGI born 1976 (on Youtube : 5-6-2014, 13-12-2018, 6-1-2020) Koki attended Moi Girls School, Nairobi graduating in 1992, at the age of 17. Koki then enrolled in flight school at Wilson Airport, where she obtained her Private Pilots License. Koki then continued her pilot/flying education in Oklahoma City, being awarded her Commercial Pilots License, by The Federal Aviation Administration. Then fully trained returned to Kenya in 1995, being hired by Kenyan Airways; as THEIR 1ST FEMALE PILOT , the only 1 for the next 6 years. In 2004 Koki became the 1ST AFRICAN FEMALE to become Captain/Commander of a Boeing 737; then upgrading to a 767. This was followed by a conversion course, to a Boeing 787 Dreamliner; whereupon Kenyan Airways promoted Koki to Captain of their 787. MAKING KOKI THE 1ST AFRICAN FEMALE CAPTAIN OF A BOEING 787 "DREAMLINER" INTERNATIONALLY. Kenyan Airways announced this proudly on Tuesday 15-4-2014. GLADYS CHEPKIRUI NGETICH born : 1991 Gladys was born in Amalo Village, Nakuru, attending Lelabei Primary School in Olenguruone, then continuing into Mercy Girls Secondary School, Kericho. Gladys was then admitted into Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture + Technology, graduating with BSc-Mechanical Engineering, 2013. In 2015 Gladys joined Oxford University, UK, on a Rhodes Scholarship, to follow a doctorate degree in Aerospace Engineering. In 2016 she earned herself a Tanebaum Fellowship, allowing her to go to Israel in 2018. Gladys was named a Skoll World Forum, for her Kenyan work to empower women/girls, she also tutors engineering undergarduates at Oriel College. In 2018 Gladys was credited with a patent, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce Plc; she is also co-founder of ILUU, a Nairobi based non-profit organisatio, that ains to inspire/transform girls/women. In 2019 Gladys started investigating substainable space science, using a Schimdt Science Fellowship. ELIZABETH MARAMI born : 1993 KENYAS' 1ST FEMALE MARINE PILOT (Youtube : 28-11-2018, 8-7-2019, 26-10-2020, 13-1-2021) After getting all "As " in her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, Elizabeth gained entry into The University of Nairobi, to study law. But she took the other option given to her, to go Alexandria, Egypt, to study Nautical Technology. " I wanted to pursue something that would challenge me." At 27 Elizabeth made history, as Kenyas' 1ST FEMALE MARINE PILOT. Born in Mombasa, she knows that 2% of the 1.25 million maritime workforce, are women. As the only female out of 9 places available on the scholarship, she did not find her sea-feet easy. The 5 year course required an internship of 18 months, which her 8 male counterparts had no problem procuring. But as the single female, gender misrepresentation, followed her with a fist full of refusuals. In 2017 a company offered her a cadet placement, aiming for her to attain the position of a 3rd deck officer. After the 5 years Elizabeth receives certification from The International Maritime Organisation, allowing her to work at the Kenya Port Authority. She spoke out saying, " The men I work with are great, they push/enlighten/encourage, help me forward to achieve my goals/ambitions; they do not compete against me. This has helped me look at women not as competition, but team players in the same frontier." Elizabeth now proudly flies the Kenyan flag, as 2nd Officer at Celebrity Cruises Inc. who work out Miami, Florida. LUPITA AMONDI NYONG'O KENYAN/LUO-MEXICAN born 1-3-1983 daughter of Peter Anyang Nyong'o(LUO- Governor of Kisumu County + author) + Dorothy Ogada Buyu(LUO) the 2nd of 6 children. The family had left Kenya in 1980, due to political repression; Peters' brother Charles was an opponent of the Moi presidency, making him a political target; he disappeared after he was thrown from a ferry in 1980. Lupita was born in Mexico City, where her father was teaching; but returned home in 1984 and Lupita was raised in Kenya from the age of 1. She attended the Rusinga International School, Nairobi; then at the age of 14 she made her professional acting debut as Juliet, in Romeo and Juliet with The Phoenix Players. When Lupita was 16, her parents sent her to Mexico to learn Spanish; she is fluent in LUO, SWAHILI, English, Spanish. Then on her return to Kenya, she attended St. Mays School where she received her IB.(international diploma accepted worldwide, as entry to higher education). Lupita then went onto further studies in the US, at Hampshire College, attaining a Bachelors Degree in film/theatre. She then returned to Kenya starring a the saga, "Shuga," 2009-12. Also in 2009, Lupita wrote/produced/directed a documentary, "In My Genes." She then pursued a Masters Degree in acting from, The Yale School of Drama. Then her 1st major breakthrough in main stream acting, was starring in, " 12 Years A slave. " What I will do now is Let the young lady speak for herself, from an interview she gave in October 2019, in a London hotel. " You're programmed to think that light is right. I used to wish for lighter skin." Lupita Nyong'o actress/childrens author. In 2014 I gave a speech at a Hollywood awards lunch, where I read out a letter I received from a young, dark skinned, black woman, who didn't feel beautiful. She said, " I am going to lighten my skin, then I saw you succeeding and I felt so much better. Also because you were being celebrated as a beauty." This was about the same time I won an Oscar, for best supporting actress in, " 12 Years A Slave." I studied at Hampshire College + Yale University, I also have my first book being published " Sulwe, " about a girl who is bullied for having the skin the colour of midnight. My next project is celebrating/adapting the novel "Americanah," by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for HBO. I will also be presenting a documentary, commenting on the Agoji, the all female warriors of Benin that protected the king/kingdom of Dahomey from the 17th-19th century. The research took a while, I immersed myself in Benin, trying to find ancestors of the original warriors, along with visiting the royalty to find out what they could remember and what the official records disclosed. European accounts classed them as exotic savages, labelling them Amazons; having them sit beside the female warriors of Greek myth. In reality they were ruthless, elite, unafraid soldiers who were there to protect their king, by any means. Whether it was conquering neighbouring tribes, opposing European colonial invaders. It is said in their final act of war against the French, 434 Agoji warriors went out to fight, only 17 returned alive. But because these warriors are women, 90% history is written by men, the female is written out of the grandeur of most things, either forgotten/misrepresented/omitted/used as a side detail of glamour, sex, exoticism, roamancism, fetishism, all items apart from what they actually achieved. I consider how important it is for a Hollywood star, to make a documentary about a little known/possibly forgotten African female army; I feel a mixture of pride/power watching it. It also makes me feel as though my existence, has been denied up to this point. While I was in Benin I used to write home every day, telling my family what I had discovered, about African female history; it was intense, beautiful. Often I would feel elated learning about 1 thing, then totally crushed learning about another. I refer to the moment I learnt, that although the Agoji were heroic, they abducted Yoruba slaves trafficking them from Nigeria to Benin. But I have deep respect for that. Writing " Sulwe ," was another complex experience, it is definitely autobiographical in how its eponymous heroine finds it difficult to accept her skin colour/tone. I had a sister who was lighter skinned, people would coo over her in ways they wouldn't at me, so I internalised that. In school I experienced teasing, while on the TV/everywhere you are seeing light skin. It was after receiving the letter, from the young woman worried about the darkness of her skin, it dawned on me, why I needed to write a childrens book. The people that most need to hear it are kids, who haven't yet been served their value by the world. I am aware how rare it is for a young dark-skinned woman like myself, being/living in a high visual profile existance, in the film industry. I am determined to use my influence, to tell stories that might not otherwise be heard