Mekatilili was arrested by the colonial authorities on 17 October 1913, and exiled to Kisii in Nyanza Province. According to colonial records, five years later, she returned to her native area where she continued to oppose the imposition of colonial policies and ordinances. Menza stated that Arthur Champion was solely responsible for forcing colonial policies on Giriama, which she claimed was eroding the traditional culture of Kenya. However, some narratives say that Mekatilili escaped from the prison in Kisii and walked over 1,000 kilometers back home to Giriama. She was later arrested and sent to a prison in Kismayu, Somalia where she also mysteriously escaped and returned to her home.