Nyamira leaders have united to eulogize a former King African Rifles soldier who served in Burma before being recruited to work as part of Governor Evelyn Baring who represented the British Colony when the state of emergency was declared in Kenya in 1952.
Mr. Obiri Mwancha 105 died recently at Keroka District Hospital and is on record for having been dismissed by colonial government from his army duties and subsequently imprisoned for seven years before he was released by Kenyan first Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta in 1963 for allegedly collaborating with Freedom fighters MAU MAU by leaking crucial information to them.
Led by Governor John Nyagarama, the leaders hailed the former soldier and urged Kenyans to remain united against terror.
“He was a courageous man and his story has been told over and over again. My government has been helping our legends and I am glad he was one the beneficiaries of special funds given to heroes when we celebrated Mashujaa day,” Nyagarama said.
West Mugirango MP James Gesami urged Kenyans to work together against the Alshaabab and hailed gallant soldiers who died recently in Somalia after being ambushed by Alshabaab militants.
“He (Obiri) was determined to liberate our nation and that is why he conspired with Mau Mau and paid the ultimate price and we must also remember his days in the Kenyan Army. We have to support the soldiers in Somalia so that we can win the battle as a team,” he said.
Gesima MCA Ken Atuti who represented the speaker of county assembly Joash Nyamoko urged politicians to remain united and work towards achieving a common goal.
“As politicians, we have to work together regardless of our political affiliations. What’s important at the end of it all is working for our people. Let’s emulate our heroes who worked tirelessly to liberate our nation in previous occasions,” he said.
Also in attendance was the Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire, leader of majority Laban Masira and several other local leaders.
Mr. Obiri served KAR between 1935-54 before joining Kenya Army between 1963-68.