How Fitz de Souza became a “Maker of the Nation” in Kenya The life of a lawyer and MP who helped secure Kenyan independence still contains lessons for today.
After Kenyan independence, Busy Delamere Avenue was renamed Kenyatta Avenue When Fitz de Souza walked into the courtroom in Kapenguria in 1953, the verdict of the trial had already been decided. The 23-year-old lawyer’s six clients faced charges of organising a secret society with the aim of overthrowing British rule in Kenya. The judge had been paid by the government to ensure the outcome and the trial was taking place in a remote town, far away from public and press scrutiny. When the sentence was handed down the judge gave the “Kapenguria Six” the maximum penalty of seven years hard labour. Four of the men would go on to become MPs and one, Jomo Kenyatta, to become president of an independent Kenya.