Police Disperse Kikuyu Elders Amid Land Dispute Prayer Session

Violence broke out in Githunguri as authorities used teargas to disperse numerous Kikuyu elders and citizens attending a scheduled prayer gathering at the local stadium. The clashes lasted for hours as law enforcement faced off with attendees who journeyed from various regions for the spiritual event. The incident underscores escalating tensions between traditional leaders and authorities concerning the planned development of a culturally significant 58-acre property. The gathering, coordinated by the Kiama kia Ma cultural organization and the Kikuyu Council of Elders, aimed to address the national government’s intentions to repurpose the land for low-cost housing. Ndung’u Gaithuma, head of Kiama kia Ma, voiced strong condemnation of the police intervention, pointing out that officials had been informed about the event beforehand. ‘For our community to be forced out with teargas while holding prayers is unprecedented. We denounce this excessive use of force by law enforcement,’ Gaithuma declared. The core of the dispute centers on the 58-acre location, which community leaders assert serves as a sacred cultural site and museum, not state-owned territory. The elders explain the land bears profound historical significance as the location of colonial-era gallows where Mau Mau fighters were executed and buried. It also contains architectural landmarks including the original home of Chief Mbiu Koinange and the residence of Kenya’s founding president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. Additionally, the site hosts a colonial-period teachers’ college. ‘This property is a museum for our people. No past administration has ever considered touching it because it is protected as sacred ground,’ Gaithuma emphasized. ‘We refuse to exchange our cultural heritage for housing development.’ Amidst the substantial police deployment and teargas effects, the elders completed a shortened prayer service. In a meaningful cultural act, they performed the ritual of breaking calabashesa Kikuyu tradition symbolizing a curse. The leaders cautioned that anyone attempting to violate the community land or continue with the development would encounter a dire fate. The traditional leaders also criticized Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba, blaming her for authorizing the police intervention. In a statement on her official Facebook account, MP Wamuchomba justified the security measures, asserting that the ‘prayer gathering’ served as a cover for political subversion. ‘We have intelligence indicating that these purported prayers mask political organizing intended to halt development initiatives in Githunguri, particularly the planned Cultural Center (Thingira),’ the MP explained. Wamuchomba claimed intelligence reports indicated young people had been armed and organized to target government facilities, NG-CDF offices, and judicial buildings. She additionally stated that the land has already been ‘blessed by legitimate authorities.’ The Cultural Center (Thingira) receives complete government funding with construction already underway, and traditional ceremonies are traditionally conducted in natural settings or sacred sites, not stadiums. ‘I call upon everyone to refrain from politicizing and obstructing development in Githunguri constituency. We do not oppose religious observances, but any property destruction will be attributed to the organizers,’ she cautioned.