Mekatilili Wamenza

Mekatilili led the Giriama people in a rebellion against the British, in what many had seen as a fulfillment of a prophecy, that she would be a leader of her people. This was a rare prophecy in a patriarchal community. She resisted British invasions and attempts to stamp out the Giriama traditional culture through the destruction of Kaya, sacred forest shrines and places of worship.

She was then captured and exiled to Mumias in Western Kenya, where she was held together with Wanyi Wa Madori her cousin. Five years later, she returned to the coast. Her inspiring story has been told by the modern woman to re-assert the woman's place in Kenya's history and destiny.

http://www.kenyaweb.com/history/heroes/index.html