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The Kikuyu Council of Elders, operating under the Kiama Kiama umbrella, has strongly distanced itself from any association with the outlawed Mungiki sect.

They emphasize that their organization is a legitimate entity composed of elders committed to preserving and promoting meaningful Kikuyu cultural practices, as well as fostering community unity.

Ceremony

A significant ceremony took place in Kitengela to appoint Kago Kiango as the new Kiama Kiama Kajiado County patron.

During this event, leaders condemned individuals who attempted to disrupt the ceremony by spreading false rumours linking it to the outlawed Mungiki sect.

Earlier, the ousted leadership of Kiama Kiama had allegedly linked the ceremony to the Mungiki sect, leading to a statement from the Maasai Council of Elders calling for the event’s suspension.

However, a crisis security meeting, chaired by Kajiado County Commissioner Jude Wesonga and attended by members of the ceremony’s organizing committee, eventually gave the green light for the event to proceed.

The colourful ceremony drew hundreds of elders from various counties, including Kiambu, Kajiado, Murang’a, Nyeri, and Nyandarua, all adorned in traditional attire. Elders from the Maasai community were also present.

The newly appointed patron has been entrusted with the responsibility of guiding efforts to preserve culture and promote harmonious coexistence among different communities.

“Kiama Kiama is not part of the Mungiki sect. We are a united council of elders that seeks to promote our culture and unite as a community. Uniting as a community does not mean we are encouraging tribalism.

Preserving culture

“Our unity of purpose is meant to guide our youth on the importance of preserving meaningful culture in the future, our cultural diversity makes our country a nation with rich culture. It is wrong for a few selfish individuals to fuel propaganda that creates tension among tribes. I urged the dissatisfied faction to join us and we work together for the interest of Kenyans at large, ’’ Kago appealed.

The council National Patron Kung’u Muigai said there was no bad blood between the Kikuyu and Maasai communities saying they have co-existed and intermarried for years.

“It is unthinkable that a group of elders can gang up to sow seeds of discord between tribes. We were shocked by propaganda fueled by elders who were dissatisfied with the election outcome terming today’s event as meant to promote Mungiki issues.

“We are grateful that security agents moved in earnest to arrest the tension that was brewing between the Maasai and Kikuyu. The two tribes respect each other and we co-existed mutually and it is wrong to create rift among us,’’ Kungu said.

Kajiado Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho who was among those in attendance at the event underscored the importance of culture preservation.

“Kajiado is a cosmopolitan county and we embrace the culture of every tribe. Any culture that is within the law of Kenya and meant for the well-being of our communities should be encouraged and preserved.

“As the Maasai community, we are keen to preserve our culture and keen to also forego retrogressive practices including early marriages and female genital mutilation. We are embracing education and blending it with culture,’’ Moshisho said.

The event characterized by traditional kikuyu delicacies and plenty of meat went on uninterrupted despite earlier speculations that hired goons intended to interrupt the ceremony.