History

In the 70s, Kenyans had become increasingly frustrated with a government that had lost touch with its people. In the wake of rising corruption, high unemployment and state impunity, they began to turn away from the established leaders of the time. In their search for a “better deal”, their hope centered around a young, progressive and charismatic leader who had come to embody their calls for change. His name was Josiah Mwangi “J.M” Kariuki, a leader who, before his life was tragically cut short, briefly held the potential of becoming Kenya’s next president. Here are six things that you might not have known about him.

The Council of Freedom or Kîama Kîa Wîathi (KKW) was formed and met at Kiburi House. This was the group that organised and dictated the moves of the Kenya Land and Freedom Army. It included Kungu Karumba, Fred Kubai and Bildad Kaggia- 3 of the famous Kapenguria Six. There was also Chege Kibachia, who was first arrested and deported to Seychelles for organising the Uplands Bacon Factory Strike, which ended in bloodshed. After his release, he was mentioned as one of the organisers of the Lari Massacre, the worst bloodletting episode in the Maumau War. In Maumau General Waruhiu Itote, aka General China, speaks on the activities of the Council. Having joined the Anake a 40 group in 1947, China received his MauMau oath in Naivasha in 1950. Back in the city, he was a fireman by day and a revolutionary by night. As a member of the Transport and Allied Workers Union, he had a proper insight into the activities of the Committee that convened the KKW.

The Nandi tribe are a section of the collective Nilotic agro-pastoralist communities referred to as the Kalenjin. Other subgroups include the Tugen, Keiyo, Marakwet, Kipsigis and Sabaot. As these tribes settled into the Western region of present-day Kenya, they inevitably found themselves in a crucible of war with the neighboring communities. In the 1700s and the 1800s, the Nandi fought their neighboring tribes with varying success until they distinguished themselves as the undisputed victors of the North-Rift Region.

Wangu is very easy to dislike as a story character, considering the ways in which women are expected to be pleasant, well mannered, beyond moral reproach, yielding and submissive. She was however a functional headman, for all intents and purposes, in as far as wielding power and collecting taxes. That can never be read as a good thing, especially by a people suffering the violence of colonisation. And yet, Karuri wa Gakure in history, who literally recruited her for this job and amassed wealth and influence because of his relations with the British, retains a name that Wangu does not.

Bring her back on stage, dear Too Early for Birds! Let her run for a month in the capital city And since Nairobi is not Kenya Take her round the country for two months And when that is done, send her out on a world tour

We finished up our time at Samburu and drove to Ol Pejeta today. A few minor inconveniences/delays, which I of course arranged so that the guests would get a more authentic African experience. Before I get to that, a few more Samburu notes. This time, I’ve decided to earn my keep a little bit more and give a few lectures on Kenyan history, politics, and culture. I gave the group a book list in advance, and most of them are actually reading the key one, Michaela Wrong’s It’s Our Turn To Eat, the story of a whistle blower in the Kibaki government (2003-2013) who blew the lid on a major corruption scandal. Wrong uses that story to delve into Kenya’s history and politics more broadly. Excellent read.

Afro Reads is making its way across the continent! This our 8th country out of the 54. Below is a sneak peek of potential books that will be read and reviewed. For those who are just joining, please check out the former reviews, my bookcast, and consider joining us for our community reading via Substack in July!!