A quiet weekday morning at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) headquarters took an unusual turn as a small group of elderly visitors gathered at the entrance, drawing the attention of staff and passersby.
Some leaned on walking sticks, others clutched worn documents, their presence evoking memories of a distant but defining chapter in the country’s history.
The visitors were Mau Mau veterans who said they had come to seek answers over funds they believe were set aside decades ago in recognition of their role in Kenya’s struggle for independence.
Moving slowly but speaking firmly, the former freedom fighters said their visit was prompted by years of unfulfilled promises and unanswered correspondence with government offices.
According to representatives of the group, the veterans are demanding the release of Sh7.4 billion which they claim was allocated to Mau Mau fighters by Kenya’s first President, Jomo Kenyatta, shortly after independence.
They allege that the money was deposited under arrangements involving the NSSF but has never been paid out to the intended beneficiaries.
The veterans told journalists that the funds were meant to compensate those who suffered detention, torture, displacement and loss of livelihoods during the colonial period.
Many said they have lived in poverty for decades, despite assurances from successive governments that their sacrifices would be acknowledged and addressed.
We are not asking for favours,” one of the elderly representatives said. “This was recognition given to us long ago. Many of our colleagues died without seeing justice. We are few now, and time is not on our side.
The group expressed frustration that while the state frequently celebrates the legacy of the Mau Mau movement during national holidays, tangible support for surviving fighters remains limited.
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They said previous engagements with various ministries had resulted in promises, task forces and committees, but little concrete action.
Officials at the NSSF offices acknowledged the presence of the veterans but did not immediately provide detailed responses to the claims.
An NSSF spokesperson said the institution would review the issues raised and engage relevant government agencies, noting that matters relating to historical allocations require verification through official records.
The visit comes amid renewed public debate about how Kenya has treated its independence heroes.
In recent years, the government has rolled out compensation programs and symbolic gestures, including monuments and state recognitions, but critics argue these measures have fallen short, particularly for aging veterans facing medical and economic hardships.
Historians note that the question of compensation for Mau Mau fighters has long been complex, involving colonial era injustices, post independence politics and gaps in documentation.
While some former fighters received compensation following legal cases against the British government, many others say they were left out.
As the veterans left the NSSF offices, they said they would continue pressing their case through legal and political channels.
For them, the issue is not just about money, but about dignity, acknowledgment and closing a painful chapter before it is too late.
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