Karura Forest #5: Mau Mau Caves
The given coordinates are for the caves from/near where the information can be found for use in calculating the final coordinates for the cache.
Note: to collect Step info in the correct order you should approach the caves from the west, ie. from GC4PDAV Karura Forest #4: Waterfalls along the beautiful riverside trail which is lined with huge trees.
For background information on Karura Forest including access, fees, features, a detailed trail map and useful links, see GC4PD3V Karura Forest #1: Intro, Info & Entry
These caves are considered sacred by many and are part of Kenyan history being used by Mau-Mau freedom fighters as hideouts during the struggle for Independence. The Mau-Mau Uprising (aka the Mau Mau Revolt, Mau Mau Rebellion, Kenya Emergency and Manjeneti [in Gîkûyû]) was a 1952-1960 military conflict involving Kikuyu-dominated anti-colonial groups and the British Army. The local Kenya Regiment consisted mostly of white Kenyans, auxiliaries and anti-Mau Mau Kikuyu.
The origin of the term Mau Mau is uncertain. Some Mau Mau members say they never referred to themselves as such, preferring the military title Kenya Land and Freedom Army (KLFA). The British simply used the name as a label for the Kikuyu ethnic community without assigning any specific definition. As the movement progressed, a Swahili backronym was adopted: 'Mzungu Aende Ulaya, Mwafrika Apate Uhuru' - 'Let the foreigner go back to Europe, let the African obtain independence'. It has been suggested that the British used the term Mau Mau instead of KLFA to try and deny the rebellion international legitimacy, and that it was adopted by the rebellion in order to counter colonial propaganda.
The capture of rebel leader Dedan Kimathi on 21 October 1956 signalled the ultimate defeat of Mau Mau, and ended the uprising. The Mau Mau were unable to gain widespread public support, partly due to the British policy of divide and rule, and the movement remained internally divided, despite attempts to unify its various strands. The uprising created a rift between the European colonial community in Kenya and their respective home countries but also resulted in violent divisions within the Kikuyu community. The uprising cost £55 million to the colonial rulers.
For detailed information on the Mau Mau and their uprising against British colonial rule see here and here.
For interesting info on Dedan Kimathi, the Mau Mau leader and a 'highly controversial character', see here.
In June 2013, the British government recognised that Kenyans were subject to torture and other forms of ill-treatment at the hands of the colonial administration and agreed to pay compensation of £20 million to 5,528 victims. The foreign secretary, whilst sincerely regretting the abuses stated however that Britain still did not accept it was legally liable for the actions of what was a colonial administration in Kenya. (see here for more details)
***19/9/16 Update: Good to note that the information signs for the caves have now been restored and replaced and that a new fence has been installed along the river path accessing the cache. The caves are now fenced off as designated bat roosts. Also a new bridge has been built across the river to provide access to a new trail which links up with Junction 41a on the Wangari Maathai Trail - this runs NW-SE right across the width of the forest.***
To Find the Cache:
Step 1: At the last small 'cave' just before the start of the steps heading east there is a name scraped onto the blackened part of the cave wall at about 2m high on your right as you face the cave. It is a 5 letter name beginning with K and ending with N. A = 4th letter of the name.
Step 2: Now head east towards the steps. B = the number of metal fence uprights in the first section to the first 'kink' or angle in the fence (including the one at the kink)
Step 3: At the top of the steps is a green sign commemorating the fence construction project. C = the number of the month when it was inaugurated
Step 4: On the same sign, D = the 2nd letter of the surname (last name) of the person who performed the inauguration
Step 5: To the left of this sign as you face the steps is a wooden trail direction sign numbered 1E
Note (20/04/22): from a recent log it appears that the sign has disappeared, so use E=9.
Step 6: On this wooden sign F = the number of Lakes mentioned on the sign
Use the alphanumeric values of the letters (ie. A=1, B=2, C=3 etc) and the numerical values of the numbers found in the six steps in the following formula to calculate the cache coordinates:
S 1° 14.DA(B-5) E 36° 49.(C+3)(F-2)E