Natural Post Office in a National Park

Tucked inside the Aberdare ranges is a stout giant fig tree (Mugumo) that, more than sixty years ago, was a post office. 

This tree, most likely, has most of the Kenya’s liberation secrets.

Kimathi Post Office is in Nyandarua Ranges, mostly known to us by its baptismal name, Aberdare National Park. This giant Mugumo (fig) tree acted as Mau Mau Post Office at the height of Mau Mau uprising.  Its deep natural crevices as acted as the pigeon holes or mail boxes where the fighters could place their messages. The commanders and fighters knew each others ‘mail box’ and could accurately exchange ‘letters’.

By then writing papers and pens were rare.  The messages were scribbled with charcoal or fresh blood on hide, softened by rubbing. Message had to be brief and coded. Sunset at 4! Bonfire at Gaaki!

The Mau Mau guerrilla movement adapted very well to the wild environment and their guerrilla tactics proved exceptionally successful in harassing the British troops. The Britons were ill equipped to combat such approach, especially since they were not used to the dense jungle, unpredictable terrain, extreme altitude and wildness of the Nyandarua ranges. 

According to Mau Mau veterans, various wild animals in the forest became their friends with exception of the rhinos, which they nicknamed ‘homeguards' because of their brutality, willingness and readiness to destroy human life. Other animals became accustomed to the fighters presence and smell and after few months they treated them as another form of animal life. In turn, the fighters also learned all the animals’ habits and calls. This proved extremely useful in detecting the presence or approach of strangers. 

The Mugumo tree and the wild animals played a key role in Kenya’s independence.  They were a silent listener and host to the revolutionary conversations among the fighters.