The Hunt For Kimathi, Henderson and Goodheart - B

                                   This is the story of the 1950's hunt for the Mau Mau's most ruthless and merciless leader, Dedan Kimathi. The Mau Mau indiscriminately slaughtered Kenyan whites and native Africans. Kimathi was a 32 year-old rapist and thug in 1952, when he assumed a leadership role in the uprising. By the middle of the decade, the rebellion was mostly suppressed,  but approximately 1500 rebels were still free roaming over a vast forest of 6,000 square miles. Ian Henderson was the policeman who led the hunt for Kimathi that began in late 1955.  His strategy was to capture a terrorist with the help of other terrorists. Over the course of seven weeks, he convinced a dozen Mau Mau to abandon Kimathi in exchange for food, arms and safety from the increasingly erratic and violent Kimathi. The collaborators helped Henderson narrow down the are where Kimathi and his remaining 50 followers were when the rainy season began at the end of March. The hunters captured more and more of the rebels, including Kimathi's brother. By August, they were closer than ever and Kimathi was down to a dozen men. By October, the final operation was ready, and traps were set in all the possible places Kimathi would seek water. One of the rebel's top lieutenants was captured, and led them to his hideout. Starving, alone and near collapse, on the 21st, six Kikuyu tribal policemen wounded him and brought him to a hospital. He was tried, sentenced to be hung and executed the following year. Thanks to my Kenyan friend and Colorado neighbor, Jonathan Block, for the recommendation.