Musa Mwariama

Who was Musa Mwariama?

Field Marshal Musa Mwariama is a former leader of the Mau Mau in Meru and the highest ranking Mau Mau who survived the war in the forests and jungles of Central Kenya from its inception to independence without being killed or captured. Together with Dedan Kimathi and Waruhiu Itote they comprised the core Mau Mau leadership.

By the time he left his bases in Mount Kenya and Nyambene Hills on the equator, he had about 2,000 fighters who had survived Operation Anvil in Kenya. He was decorated with the national Order of Elder of the Burning Spear after independence. The most famous photograph of him is with President Jomo Kenyatta on attainment of Uhuru in 1963 and most of the post war Mau Mau video clips show him inspecting a Mau Mau guard of honour or with President Jomo Kenyatta.