• The issue is over the who are the legitimate Kiama Kia Ma leaders and wrangles among leaders is dangerous.
• Elders welcome court ruling allowing strict preparation and consumption of traditional Muratina for ceremonies.
Image: JOHN KAMAU
Leadership wrangles in the Gikuyu Council of Elders threatens the unity of the Agikuyu community, Gatundu North elders have warned.
The Kiama Kia Ma elders led by their chairman said formation of a splinter group in the council of elders is already brewing acrimony among residents. They said this ill-will is especially problematic in Central Kenya and is detrimental to the community's unity.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony of the Gaitara village baton, referred to as Muthigi, in Mang'u ward, the elders raised concerns about confusion caused by the national leadership of the council.
They said confusion will undermine the community's peace and decisions in the region's politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
The elders, led by their chairman Kibe Ngige, said members of the council have splintered, with each faction claiming to be the genuine holders of office.
They asserted political realignment by the council leaders are fuelling the leadership wrangles.
“The leaders claiming to be the legitimate Kiama Kia Ma leaders should sit and iron out their differences for the sake of serving and uniting our community. They must put the interests of the community first,” Kibe said.
The chairman said several elders in Gatundu North have already fallen out with the council and have decided to join and lead the splinter group. “They just left their positions and the council without word. We shall find their replacements,” he said.
He said if the disputes are not solved, the council's hard work of salvaging youths from illicit brews and guiding the community towards progress, socially, economically and politically will go down the drain.
He urged the council's national leaders, headed by national chairman Captain Kung'u Muigai to move swiftly and address the dispute for the sake of the region's unity.
At the same time, the elders also welcomed the High Court ruling that allowed preparation and consumption of muratina [Agikuyu traditional liquor], calling it a timely decision in the spirited fight against alcoholism in Mt Kenya region.
Elder Gachugu Nyamu said the brew is carefully prepared by selected elders for cultural ceremonies, including traditional weddings and rites of passage.
He said the elders have controlled the procedure of brewing and consuming the liquor, adding they will collaborate with the provincial administration to regulate brewing, sale and consumption of muratina to avoid unscrupulous liquor brewers.
“We know every elder who is allowed to brew muratina in every village and we will not allow anyone who thinks of turning it into a business by brewing it and selling to our youths. Muratina is specifically for cultural ceremonies,” Nyamu said.
The High Court in Kiambu on Friday, in a petition filed by Ndeiya Traditional Brewers, ruled muratina is not an illicit brew and the Agikuyu are at liberty to prepare and consume the liquor in their traditional ceremonies, with strict adherence to the law.
Justice A Mshila, while delivering her ruling, also directed Kiama Kia Ma elders to regulate the brewing, sale and consumption of the brew by working closely with local chiefs and adhering to the law.
Elders had petitioned the court to declare muratina a legal and cultural brew after it was banned by the provincial administration and several elders arraigned for preparing and selling the liquor.
The elders maintained unity was paramount for the region's peace and tranquility as well as transformation in its socio-economic setup.