‘Our Land, Our Freedom’: groundbreaking documentary that rewrites the history of Kenya

After a year of waiting, the long-awaited film ‘Our country, our freedom‘ premiered in Kenya on the NBO Film Festival.

The documentary follows Wanjugu Kimathi, daughter of famed freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi, and her late mother, Mukami Kimathi, as they struggle to resettle displaced freedom fighters denied the land they fought for, while also searching for Dedan’s remains .

This gripping documentary reveals the violence of colonialism and the unresolved land conflicts that still haunt Kenya half a century after independence.

KBC Digital spoke to award-winning directors Meena Nanji and Zippy Kimundu about their eight-year project to make the film and the lessons they learned along the way.

What inspired you to make this documentary?

Meena: I was born in Kenya, but our family moved when I was very young. Then in 2012 I read ‘The British Gulag‘ by Caroline Elkins, and I was shocked by the brutal history behind colonial stories.

Schools, both here and abroad, teach about British achievements without mentioning the violence necessary to maintain the colonial regime.

I was really shocked because I had no idea about detention camps, concentration camps or cruelty.

So I wanted to tell Kenya’s story from a Kenyan perspective, and years later I came to Kenya looking for a partner to work with. Meanwhile, I met Wanjugu Kimathi and she agreed to make a film about the independence struggle.

I vowed never to make documentaries again, but then I met some people to work with, including Zippy, and my direction changed. So that was the motivation to do the project.

Zippy: Yes, when Meena approached me, I tried to adapt Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Don’t cry child as a fictional film, but I couldn’t find enough information.

I realized that collaborating on this documentary would allow us to tell a powerful, untold story from the perspective of the freedom fighters.

I thought we would finish it in a year or two, but it ended up taking eight years.

We premiered it last November at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) and since then we have been traveling all over the world with it and receiving very interesting feedback.

Why did it take eight years to complete?

Zippy: Initially we wanted to follow the Mau Mau veterans to hear their stories. Meena comes from an experimental background while I come from a fictional background, so we thought this would be a cool art project, but not in a documentary style.

However, as Wanjugu’s focus shifted to mobilizing land resettlement for freedom fighters, the story evolved. Wanjugu carried the mantle for her mother in this struggle, so we decided to follow her story as she grew into an amazing community leader.

Meena: Exactly, I mean other factors also made it last a long time. Building trust takes time, but Wanjugu and her mother Mukami were very generous in introducing us to many different freedom fighter communities across the country.

The financing also took some time, our film is completely funded by grants and we have no investors, so that also took time.

The pandemic has also slowed us down as we had to take a break in 2020.

But ultimately, the journey allowed us to capture a richer story – one that we could not have anticipated had the story not progressed.

What insights have you gained from the women freedom fighters?

Zippy: We have included the story of Mukami and other freedom fighters a lot in this film, but we know that there are many other strong women who deserve a story in their own right.

These women played a crucial role in the struggle that went beyond just providing care. They were also spies, strategists and coordinators.

Despite their importance, their contributions are often overlooked in history.

Meena: Meeting these women was humiliating. I’m a feminist, but I realized how biased I was when I encountered these communities. I approached the men first, but then the women sitting there kept interjecting as we spoke and I realized how passionate they were too about the fight for freedom.

They are in their eighties and nineties, but remain politically aware and articulate. Their intelligence work during the struggle for independence was crucial; they had access to places where men could not go.

It was eye-opening to see how deeply they still care about the future of the country.

Now that you have learned all this, what is your opinion on historical education in Kenya?

Meena: The Kenyan curriculum still reflects colonial prejudices. It is time for this colonial education in Kenya to end.

It’s time we teach history from Kenyan perspectives. Our film, and many others like it Battle for Laikipia aim to provide that missing story. If we give future generations an authentic account of their past, they can strive to make Kenya a better place. Europe is no longer the model – we must create our own.

Why did you choose the title ‘Our country, our freedom’?

Zippy: Land is deeply connected to freedom. Today’s land issue is rooted in the colonial system.

Many fighters were promised land but never received it, while those loyal to the British were rewarded. We are not reclaiming land, but it is critical to recognize the roots of these problems.

Meena: Exactly, we thought about calling it “Our Country is Our Freedom,” but we thought that might be a little provocative.

Land is not just property; it carries a spiritual connection. Losing it is like losing a family member. Without land, people are trapped in wage labor and poverty, breaking a vital bond between land and community.

Zippy: Our country is where we bury loved ones. It is inheritance and ancestral connection.

How did your collaboration shape the project?

Zippy: (laughing) Working together is a marriage, there are highs and lows. This film would never be what it is today if we hadn’t come together and brought in other partners.

It was part of our lives for a long time and despite our different styles, we always prioritized the film, which is why we celebrate it today.

Meena: We also shared a common goal: to bring this overlooked history to life. We had to see through it.

Zippy: Yes, and the trust the freedom fighters placed in us was priceless, and we had to work hard to live up to their stories.

What is the response so far?

Zippy: This is the first screening of the film in Kenya, and we are curious to see how people react.

The goal was to take it home, but we knew if we traveled around with it we would get some support.

It has resonated worldwide with audiences who knew nothing of this history. Many people were deeply moved by the film’s portrayal of the mother-daughter relationship.

Meena: I hope the film makes viewers reconsider colonialism, not just in Kenya but worldwide. Current issues, such as the situation in Gaza, are rooted in colonial history. The consequences of colonialism are playing out in real time. Understanding these connections enriches our understanding of the present.

Zippy: We also hope people enjoy it!