Why the Cell in Kamiti Prison Where Mama Ngina Was Locked in was Named Fisi

Mama Ngina Kenyatta, the third wife of the founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Mau Mau leader Dedan Kimathi’s wife Mukami Kimathi amongst other first liberation fighters were jailed at Kamiti Maximum Prison in the 1950s.

It was during the State of Emergency. Mau Mau fighters, their spouses and children were rounded up randomly by British police and home guards, jailed and others killed.

Wives of Mau Mau leaders; Ngina, Mukami, Miriam Muthoni wife of General Mathenge wa Mirugi and few others were locked in a cell christened “Kambi ya Fisi” (hyena’s camp).

Mukami Kimathi.

This cell was named this way to imply the people confined inside were perceived as the not-so liked animal. President Uhuru Kenyatta’s mother and others were locked in here, isolated from others and humiliated.

It was also intended to humiliate them and break their spirit so they could disclose vital information about Mau Mau operations. They say they guarded secrets they had about the fighters’ operations and locations.

In the book “Mukami Kimathi, Mau Mau Freedom Fighter”, Mukami says in this highly guarded section they endured interrogations and severe beatings.

It was while Mukami was locked in here her husband Kimathi was captured on October 21, 1956 after he was shot in the leg. He was subsequently hanged at Industrial Area Prison on February 18, 1957.