GOD’S MOUNTAIN AND HIS PEOPLE – from yamumbi.com

The twelve Seers, who entreaty in favour to the community (Known as Mt. Kenya College of Seers), operate in secrecy to guard their wisdom. Their wisdom outweighs the early Christian gnosis. To conform to the prophetic calling, they renounce all tastes and live ascetic lifestyle Simplicity is a virtue that guides all Mount Kenya Seers. The promulgation that the mountain was the earthly habitation of their mono deity Ngai Murungu manifested the presence of Ngai. It should be noted, in all serious local communities’ undertakings that they invoke’ the name of Ngai Murungu facing Mount Kenya . From the date the covenant box was placed In Mount Kenya, there are several instances in the said communities history that have been seen as manifestation of supernatural work of Ngai Murungu whenever they humble themselves before him. On arrival of white missionaries, who were operatives of his majesty, this mode of worship was regarded as heretic and the early members of the church were excommunicated. However, there are two notable occasions in our times that Ngai Murungu’s hand was seen at work.

In the first occasion, after the arrest and detention of Harry Thuku, the Seers resolved to give their political agitators psychic protection and guidance. The candidacy fell on one Johnstone Kamau in 1928. The Seers ascended Mount Kenya with this simple ordinary village folk. He underwent all essential rituals in the rite of passage and admitted to the Sacerdotal College of Seers. After attaining the status of a seer, Johnstone Kamau was honoured with a star name “Jomo”. Jomo is the local name for Halley’s Comet. Like the Comet, Jomo was transformed very fast – from a simple village folk with apprenticeship in carpentry to direct entry to the London School of Economics under the tutorage of Prof Malinowski, a highly acclaimed 20th Century anthropologist. Jomo’s academic genius was revealed in his serious work “Facing Mount Kenya “. This is the man who brought the British Empire crumbling down to its knees.

The second occasion is in reference to 1948 Mau Mau prayers in Mount Kenya . When the Agikuyu, Aembu and Ameru realized that Britain would never allow Africans self determination in Kenya , their military wing Mau Mau ascended Mount Kenya with their crude weapons namely home-made guns, spears, machetes and other nondescript assortment. They laid down their weapons in prayer. Raising their hands facing Kigongona Kia Mai , the Chief Seer -Mugo wa Kibiru led them reciting their solemn prayer with the following ending words that has become house hold classic line in Mount Kenya region:

Ngai mbara ino turathii ita Nawe, (God You are Our Ally in this war)

Nigukorwo turi Aku na Uri Witu, (For we are Your people and You are our God)

Twahotwo Niwe Wahotwo (Our defeat is Your defeat)

Twahotana Niwe Wahotana (Our victory is Your victory)

Twahotana nitugacoka haha Tukurutire igongona ria ng’atho. (If we win we shall assemble here and offer thanks giving offering.)

Like Gideon of the Old Testament, they wanted assurance from God that they would defeat British Army. The Chief Seer left the scene. After some hours he came with the message from God. He made a trench from where the Mau Mau were standing and said thus “The day King George’s Army crosses this trench, after 10 (ten) years, the British Government will not only lose war in Kenya, but would lose the whole Empire! The Mau Mau spokesman enquired which year the white peoples’ rule would come to an end in Kenya . The Chief Seer said British rule will come to an end in the year Mugumo tree in Thika falls down . When this prophesy reached the Government, the Mugumo tree in Thika was reinforced with rails and sheets . In consideration of Britain as a super power, Mau Mau waged a war of attrition. To fulfill the seers prophesy, on 1st June 1953 Mau Mau enticed British soldiers to cross the trench by encamping near the trench. The British army followed in hot pursuit. Then Mau Mau look their turn by crossing over the trench. The British army followed and crossed the trench. There was much celebration in Mau Mau camp that night.

Colonial government, assured white settlers in Kenya that Mau Mau Insurgency would be wiped out in a few days time. But unfortunately for the British, it took years. It became a very expensive war to be engaged in. In capturing one Mau Mau the British Government spent around £ 10.000. Finally they gave up and granted Kenya independence in 1963. This was the year Mugumo tree of Thika fell down.