Nairobi residents woke up on Sunday morning to a disturbing sight — the statue of freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi in the city centre had been vandalized, with its head severed and several parts damaged.
Police have confirmed that they have arrested one suspect, a man believed to be behind the shocking act, who is currently being held at the Central Police Station.
According to police reports, the suspect was captured on video parading the statue’s head through the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) before being apprehended by officers and members of the public. The viral video has since sparked widespread outrage across social media platforms.
Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei said the man will be arraigned in court on Friday, adding that investigators are still trying to establish the motive behind the incident.
“The suspect is in custody. We are treating this as a case of malicious damage to public property and desecration of a national monument,” Bungei said.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and allow the police to complete their investigation.
The Dedan Kimathi statue, located along Kimathi Street in downtown Nairobi, was unveiled in 2007 by the late President Mwai Kibaki.
It stands as a national symbol honoring Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi Waciuri, one of the most prominent leaders of the Mau Mau rebellion against British colonial rule in the 1950s.
Kimathi, who was captured and executed by British authorities in 1957, remains a powerful symbol of Kenya’s fight for freedom and self-determination.
The defacement has triggered public anger and renewed calls for the government to protect Kenya’s monuments and historical sites.
Several Kenyans took to social media, condemning the act as an insult to the country’s independence heroes.
“Vandalizing Dedan Kimathi’s statue is like spitting on Kenya’s struggle for freedom,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). “This shows how much we have lost respect for our history.”
Heritage experts and civic groups have also called on the National Museums of Kenya and Nairobi County Government to tighten security around key monuments, including those of Tom Mboya, Jomo Kenyatta, and Wangari Maathai, which have previously faced vandalism attempts.
Sources within Nairobi County’s Department of Culture and Heritage said plans are already underway to restore the damaged statue. Officials are assessing the extent of the damage to determine whether the head can be reattached or if a new casting will be required.
“We take this very seriously. The Dedan Kimathi monument represents our nation’s soul,” said one county official. “We will ensure it is restored and protected.”
The incident has also sparked broader reflection about national identity and respect for historical figures.
Cultural analysts say the attack highlights a growing disconnect between younger generations and Kenya’s liberation history.
“We must do more to educate our youth about who Dedan Kimathi was and what he stood for,” said Dr. Wanjiku Kihoro, a historian at the University of Nairobi. “Monuments are not just stone and metal — they are memory, sacrifice, and pride.”
Police say more arrests could follow if investigations reveal the suspect had accomplices. Meanwhile, authorities have increased patrols around key landmarks in the city to prevent similar incidents.
As Kenyans await the court proceedings, the damaged statue of Dedan Kimathi stands as a painful reminder of how easily symbols of national pride can be desecrated — and how urgently they must be preserved.
