State hands Kikuyu elders100-acre shrine in Mt Kenya forest

Kikuyu elders have finally acquired a shrine inside Mt Kenya forest after 56 years of waiting and frustrations by successive governments.

On Saturday, the 100-acre shrine was handed over to the 12 Kikuyu community high priests by Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko.

The high priests led by Mr Mathenge wa Iregi said the shrine, which is in Narumoru at the protected Mount Kenya National Park ecosystem, came after a struggle and intense lobbying.

“During the country’s independence, Mau Mau fighters told God that if he enables them eject the British colonial administration, they would set up a community’s traditional holy prayer centre.

"The country got the internal rule but we were unable to deliver on our pledge to God,” Mr Iregi said.

The priests’ coordinator, Mr Wambugu Nyamu, explained that the holy shrine also has a sacred altar, whose access is restricted to the high priests only.

WELCOME

The restricted place is where the traditional spiritual leaders were using to communicate with God (Ngai wa Kirinyaga) while facing Mt Kenya and offering their sacrifices on behalf of the community.

“The current spiritual leaders will be using it for same purpose,” Mr Nyamu explained.

He said the access of the other part of the shrine is not restricted to both Christians and traditionalists.

“The high priests are traditionalists, but also Christians, and they do not fight Christianity. The shrine is open to all people who believe in God, but the altar is for the high priests only. We have agreed with the government that we will not put up permanent structures,” Mr Nyamu said.

TREE-PLANTING

He lamented that initially the elders used to pay some fees to access the shrine and some were even being arrested and prosecuted for conducting their traditional rituals at the shrine without authority.

“For a long time there has been a problem when the elders want to pray or conduct rituals at this place. We believe in praying in mountains.

"When forests were closed our people were being charged money and others arrested for conducting traditional sacrifices, which include slaughtering goats and burning the carcass until it is fully consumed by fire so as to please our God,” he said.

Mr Nyamu explained that the elders committed to government that they will strictly plant traditional Kikuyu trees, shrubs and medicinal plants at the shrine.

He said plans for acquisition of the shrine started two years ago, and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry was apprehensive that the intention was to grab the land for use in profit-making activities.

RESTRICTIONS

Mr Tobiko told the elders not to put up a permanent structure in the shrine, graze animals or any form of farming. He also cautioned that acquisition of the shrine is not gaining ownership of the forestry ecosystem.

“The shrine has been for the Kikuyu community since time immemorial. When the elders came to my office they had references of the place. They will be using it to conduct prayers and do traditional cultural rites,” he said.

He also warned the elders and community leaders against politicising the matter.