Explain the roles played by women in the struggle for independence in Kenya.
Answer:
-The acted as spies and gave information about the plans and movement of Europeans
the freedom fighters in the forests/they supplied weapons/ arms to fighters.
- They provided the basic essentials to fighters such as clothes, food and medicine.
- They composed songs which encouraged the freedom fighters as well as ridiculed the colonial agents such as chiefs and headmen.
- They looked after their families in the absence of freedom fighters who had gone to the forests.
- They participated in oathing ceremonies which united the freedom fighters.
- Some women actively participated in the wars such as Elizabeth Gachika, Muthoni Nyanjiru e.t.c.
- They participated in demonstration against the colonial government e.g. Muthoni Nyanjiru organized a demonstration demanding for the release of Harry Thuku.
- Some women inspired the African resistance through prophecies e.g. Moraa Ngiti, Mekatilili wa Menza etc.
- Priscilla Abwao took part in the first Lancaster House Conference to prepare the independence constitution