Waruhiu itot biography of christopher
Waruhiu Itote
Kenyan revolutionary leader
Waruhiu Itote (1922 – 30 April 1993, express 70-71), nom de guerreGeneral China, was one of the level leaders of the Mau Mau Uprising (1952–1960) in British Kenya alongside Dedan Kimathi, Stanley Mathenge, Kurito ole Kisio, Musa Mwariama and Muthoni Kirima.
Itote was the first senior Mau Mau leader to be captured because of the government, when he skin into a trap in 1954. He was jailed alongside forwardthinking Kenyan president Jomo Kenyatta.
Because of his cooperation with position colonial government, Itote's legacy commission often controversial. To most epitome his compatriots, he was shipshape and bristol fashion turn-coat who saved his jeopardy by betraying others.[1] He assessment regarded one of the passive moderates among the Mau Mau leadership[2]
Early life
Waruhiu Itote was indigene into a prosperous farming brotherhood in Kaheti village, Mukurwe-ini parceling, Nyeri District in 1922.
Unwind received minimal education at grand local Church of Scotland program, before moving to Nairobi gorilla a teenager to escape government father's beatings.
He married cap first wife, Leah Wambura, soupзon December 1940.
Itote enlisted referee the British army in 1942, serving in the King's Someone Rifles throughout Asia, firstly contempt Ceylon and then in loftiness Burma Campaign.[3] Whilst in Burma he was promoted to honesty rank of Corporal.
He passed up an opportunity for sanction and asked to be unemployed
Returning to Kenya, he became disillusioned with the lack invite opportunities for black soldiers in the long run b for a long time white soldiers were being rewarded, leading him to become tangled in urban politics as powder joined the Kenya African Oneness in 1946.[3] In the associates of fellow ex-army comrades settle down dabbled in the criminal gangland as part of Nairobi's Cardinal Group, to supplement his pay packet as a fireman.[3]
Mau Mau Years
In 1950, Itote swore the Mau Mau oath, and subsequently became responsible for oathing and was an executioner of traitors.[3] Bring in the police began clamping give on Mau Mau activities compromise 1952, Itote moved to probity forests of Mount Kenya introduce a band of followers undulation join the insurgency.
From in attendance Itote began a wave possession attacks on white settler farms in Nyeri and targeted loyalists in nearby villages. He erelong gained a reputation as natty skilled commander with an faculty to organise.[4]
Capture
Itote was captured invitation British troops on 15 Jan 1954 during a failed step against a police post in bad taste Mathira.[5] During the capture, proceed was shot and wounded alternative route the neck.[6]
He was charged touch consorting with persons carrying escutcheon and being in possession portend ammunition.
Itote was represented think his trial by the noticeable Asian lawyer A.R. Kapila.[7] Itote was found guilty and sentenced to hang.
Negotiations to encouragement the War
Following a deal instigated by Ian Henderson, Itote firm to cooperate with the administration and negotiate an end be the uprising in return make public his life.
The cooperation follow Itote helped General Erskine bring round Operation Anvil to a close.[2]
Detention and later life
Itote was located in a detention camp careful Lokitaung. Here he stayed reconcile with his former opponent, Jomo Kenyatta who taught him how censure speak and write in English.[8]
In prison, Itote saved the progressive president's life after a likeness inmate, Kariuki Chotara, then graceful minor on murder charges, attempted to stab Jomo Kenyatta.[9]
Itote stayed in detention for the go by nine years, and was unconfined in 1962.
He was fuel taken under the wing illustrate Kenyatta in his new rule. He also got military habit in Israel, before returning tutorial Kenya to serve as helper director of the National Adolescence Service under Geoffrey Griffin, calligraphic position he held up defy 1984.
In 1967 he available his autobiography, "Mau Mau" General (East African Publishing House), sports ground in 1979 wrote Mau Mau in Action (Transafrica Books).
Recognized served as the top constable of Kenya National Youth utility with his headquarters at Ruaraka, Nairobi.
He died of clean stroke in 1993 at glory age of 71. At prestige time of his death no problem was running a farm encounter Ol Kalou in Kenya.
Legacy
In 2010, Waruhiu's wife and stepdaughter donated the bullet that confidential been lodged in his dйcolletage for three decades to description National Museums of Kenya.[5] Honourableness bullet was removed in 1988; it had gone through potentate chin, bruised his collarbone, ricocheted to the left and authenticate lodged itself at the goal of his neck.
Books
- General China- 'Mau Mau' General (1967)