Kenya Stockholm Blog

With great shock and sorrow, the family of Christine Gikandi announces the passing of their father, Nobert Gikandi Kamwana (Wakamwana). The senior Gikandi passed away on Wednesday, 8th March 2017 at Outspan Hospital in Nyeri where he had been admitted for the last one month.

Following the sad news, an “Open House” has been established at the residence of Christine Gikandi where friends, sympathizers and well-wishers will be congregating to condole with the bereaved family during this time of great shock and sorrow.

A Prayer Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 11th at Christine’s residence at St Görans Gatan 98 (4tr) at Fridhemsplan from 18.00 Hrs. The occasion will accord Christine’s acquaintances the opportunity to pray for the family so that the good Lord can continue to guide them and give them strength to cope with the big tragedy that has suddenly struck the family.

The late Gikandi was born in 1924 in Kheri, Nyeri County. Gikandi was one of the most popular 2nd World War heroes in Kenya, having played a significant role in many battles which took him to China, India, Vietnam, Burma among other countries which were all embroiled in the war.

Being a Clinical Officer, Gikandi’s fundamental responsibility during the war was to offer medical services to the injured and he worked with diligence, loyalty and a high sense of professionalism which was admired by all those who knew him. During his duties, he saved many lives and some of his patients are known to have remembered him even late in life.

After the war, Gikandi returned to Kenya where he continued to render his services to the people of Kenya. He began his post-war mission at Kenyatta National Hospital (by then known as King George Hospital). Because of his wide experience with traumatic patients who had suffered injuries in the battle-field, Gikandi was immediately attached to the surgical unit at King George.

As time elapsed, Gikandi sought to expand his area of duty to reach more people who were in need of help. Under the circumstances, he joined HZ Morrem company where he worked for a few years before moving to the medical unit at the construction site of Kindaruma Hydro-electric dam.

Gikandi’s tour of duty at Kindaruma soon ended and it was time for him to move on. He proceeded to Sagana Hydro-electric company where he worked until he got an opportunity to render his much needed services at Egerton University College in 1991. Egerton served as Gikandi’s final work place before he went into retirement.

As he kept a busy schedule attending to his duties, it is notable that Gikandi later operated a medical clinic parallel to his duties and as an extension through which he could reach and help more people. In short, he worked with love and passion. Although he established the Clinic when he was 70 years old, Gikandi kept a stream of clients who believed in his abilities and experience in the medical profession.

Apart from work as a medic, Gikandi was one of the medical collaborators who assisted the Mau Mau freedom fighters during Kenya’s war against British colonial rule.

During the second World War, Gikandi gained a lot of insight in clandestine military operations and when he returned to Kenya after the war in 1945, consciousness among Kenyans about the need to question British colonial rule was also at its apex. There is no war without casualties. Gikandi saw an opportunity of using his skills to help Mau Mau freedom fighters who got injured in the process of the liberation struglle and in his demise, it is important to mention his role in the struggle.

The Mau Mau were drawing elaborate plans on how to fight the British aggressors and somehow, Gikandi got into the political mix which saw him get involved in various support missions in a network of underground medical operations which needs to be properly documented for posterity. Although an unsung hero, Gikandi goes down in Kenya’s history as a freedom fighter who believed in Kenya’s emancipation from colonialism.

The late Gikandi was a staunch Catholic, very kind hearted, considerate and an elegant personality. In the photo published with this article when he was 45 years old, Gikandi dons a leather jacket he acquired in Vietnam. What is significant about this jacket is that at the time the photo was taken, no Kenyan owned a leather jacket apart from the late President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. Gikandi therefore, is one of the pioneers of the leather jacket in Kenya and for this, he deserves a toss!

With his demise, Kenya has lost a great son of the soil while his family has lost a father and head of the family. He will be fondly remembered by all those who had an opportunity to interact with him while his family will forever miss his love, joy and affection. May Mzee Gikandi’s soul rest in eternal peace. For further information and messages of condolences, call Christine at 0730630209.

Okoth Osewe