The iconic Dedan Kimathi statue at Uhuru Park went missing on October 12, 2025, and was later recovered, but its parts were vandalized and badly damaged.
Police have confirmed that a man believed to be behind the act is in custody at Central Police Station after attempting to flee with the statue’s head.
According to City askaris popularly known as kanjo, the suspect was apprehended moments after being captured on video parading the bronze head of the national hero through Nairobi’s Central Business District.
The footage quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation and disbelief.
How He Was Captured
Rodriques Lunalo, a protocol officer who witnessed the arrest, recounted the dramatic moment.
“We saw him carrying a sack; after following him, we found he was carrying the statue of Dedan,” Lunalo said.
Also Read: Ruto Men in Vietnam to Buy Luxury Jets and 8 Helicopters, Gachagua
Lunalo confirmed that the suspect “is in Central Police Station and will be arraigned in court on Monday.”
The Dedan Kimathi statue, unveiled in 2007, stands as a tribute to the Mau Mau freedom fighter who led Kenya’s armed resistance against British colonial rule in the 1950s.
For nearly two decades, it has symbolized courage, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of independence and values deeply cherished by many Kenyans.
Public Outrage and Citizen Reactions
The defacement of such a revered national symbol has triggered widespread outrage, with citizens and leaders alike demanding justice and stronger protection for national monuments.
“He did all that and carried it away in CBD? And police were nowhere? That shows the level of insecurity in the city,” Bonventure Nalugala posted on X.
“This is a huge shame. What actually led to this happening?” Yussuf Omar Dakane asked.
Also Read: Kenya Crowned World’s Friendliest Country: Here’s Why
Another user, @Marc_Macuda, wrote, “Why would someone from nowhere just appear and vandalize a statue of Dedan Kimathi at Freedom Corner? He might not be in the right state of mind.”
Who Was Dedan Kimathi?
Dedan Kimathi was the leader of the Mau Mau uprising, a movement that fought against British colonial rule in the 1950s.
He was born in 1920 in Nyeri County. Kimathi became the face of Kenya’s struggle for land and freedom.
He was captured in 1956, tried, and executed by the British colonial government in 1957.
However, his grave was not marked, and his remains were never recovered.
Today, Kimathi is regarded as a national hero, celebrated for his resilience and defiance in the face of oppression.
The statue erected in his honor serves as a monument to his legacy and as a reminder of the cost of Kenya’s hard-won independence.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
