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Bildad Kaggia

Who was Bildad Kaggia?

Copyright Jotham Njoroge
Bildad Kaggia - Copyright East African Standard
Bildad Kaggia
The name of Bildad Kaggia is usually mentioned alongside Kenya’s other founding fathers, but often just as an afterthought. Bildad Kaggia was one of the famous “Kapenguria Six“ freedom fighters also the founding fathers of the Kenyan Nation, who were detained by the colonial government during the struggle for independence in Kenya.
Bildad Kaggia courage, radicalism and adherence to truth is regarded as an important reference in the process of building of a national consciousness and identity.

This year the Bildad Kaggia Foundation requested the Department of Architecture and Building Science at the University of Nairobi to propose a design of a museum dedicated to Bildad Kaggia. The department then initiated a student competition.

    From Bildad Kaggia's memoires

    Discrimination and Bitterness

    While I was a registration clerk, the chief clerk, a Goan, was transferred and replaced by an African. For the first time in my life I realized what colour discrimination meant. The African chief clerk was a very experienced man, and he came with a solid recommendation from his previous post. He was also highly respected in the office. But one day be had a quarrel with the court clerk, who was a Goan. More ...

    How can we liberate their minds?

    The question which occupied my mind the most was, "what are Africans doing to change things in Kenya?" (...) I decided that what was needed in Kenya was 'education' to educate the Africans about their rights and to inform them of the injustice of the treatment of Africans by the colonialists. (...) More ...
    Bildad Kaggia: Roots of Freedom, 1921-1963, Nairobi 1975

    The Beginning of a Political Process

    Because of the new revolutionary atmosphere in the early fifties, 'Mau Mau' was able to succeed. When the oath was started, people were ready for more radical methods to accelerate independence. They were getting more impatient every day. The revolt against the old submissive way of thinking was manifested in many different ways.More ...
    Bildad Kaggia: Roots of Freedom, 1921-1963, Nairobi 1975

    Bloody but unbowed

    At that time I shared a house with Mburu Mugwera, a very active worker for KAU and 'Mau Mau'. (...) When we got home, neither of us could go to sleep. It was as if our nerves were telling us that something was going to happen. (...)More ...
    Bildad Kaggia: Roots of Freedom, 1921-1963, Nairobi 1975

    Freedom

    I realized that I was not going to be freed. But I was glad to be home and to be able to see my mother and brothers and all the people gathered around. After more formalities we were put back in the same Landrover and headed for home, Gitura Village. (...)More ...