Anti-Luo oath of 1969 no longer binds, Kikuyus told
Elders say July 16 meeting at Ruaka shrine released community from cultural bondage
by The Star
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Kikuyu elders King Thiong'o wa Gitau speaking to journalists
Kikuyu King Thiong'o wa Gitau has urged members of the Kikuyu community to work with the Luo because they are now free from the 1969 oath.
The oath was allegedly administered to bar the Kikuyu from associating with Luos after former President Jomo Kenyatta politically clashed with his Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Gitau on Tuesday said the community might be holding on to some issues that many have already dropped.
On July 16, the Kikuyu Council of Elders and Kiama Kiama Cultural Association held a meeting to evaluate the oath and decided to scrap it because it has been overtaken by time.
The July meeting was meant to set free of any cultural bondage and was held at the elder’s shrine in Ruaka.
The elders released a joint statement saying that the move was taken after three years of internal consultations.
"Following extensive internal consultations that started in 2019, elders concluded that the campaign had the potential for causing irreversible social and cultural damage to the community, now and in the future," the statement reads.
He said they have since witnessed intermarriages between the two communities, friendships, working relations and other activities that unite them.
Gitau said after holding a meeting, they held prayers and did some sacrifices to cleanse the community from any bad omen.
“Now, we believe that we are free. We want to embrace every Kenyan despite their tribe, we do not want to continue holding so dearly to things overtaken by time,” he said.
The agreement was signed by the national chairmen and Kikuyu Council of Elders' national patrons, Ndungu Gaithuma, Wachira Kiago, and Kinyua Mwangi.
"Our people can now freely marry and associate politically or socially with any other community because they are henceforth free from any cultural bondage pertaining to cultural events and acts," Gaithuma said.
The joint council said that disgruntled elements disguising as elders have been engaged in dis-informing the youth.
On matters of religion, the elders stated that they are firm participants in religious faith, Christianity, practiced by the community.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
Members of the Kikuyu Council of Elders and Kiama Kiama Cultural Association leaders at Ruaka Shrines on July 16.“WATCH: The latest videos from the Star”
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