Giant footprints and the mystery of a sacred hill

By Nanjinia Wamuswa

For the Akamba, Kiima Kimwe is revered.

The unique traditional and cultural attachment traverses Machakos and Ukambani.

Kiima Kimwe, which means ‘one hill’ in the local vernacular, neighbours Machakos town, about a kilometre down Machakos-Kitui Road.

Several homes dot the top, sides and foot of the hill.

Huge rocks jut precariously out and one wonders the fate of those living below, should one break off.

It is on this hill that mythical Prophet Masaku of the Akamba people is believed to have lived in the 1700s.

Local legend has it that Machakos town was named after him, but the name changed with the arrival of colonialists.

The white man had difficulties pronouncing ‘Masaku’ and so corrupted it to ‘Masakos’, which was translated into ‘Machakos’.

Mzee Mwikya Ndunda, a descendant of the prophet, says Masaku was revered because he had supernatural powers.

Erastus Mutinda, a tour guide, points at a footprint of the prophet Masaku. Photos: Nanjinia Wamuswa/Standard

It looks desolate and nondescript. Curious visitors have tampered with some of the hill’s features, such as the footprints — larger than those of an average man.

Mutinda believes if the place were to be repaired it could fetch good money. He is the only person pocketing the little money the visitors pay begrudgingly. He says if he had the resources he would individually modernise the place and benefit from it.

The village where the hill lies is called Ikulu, a Swahili word for ‘State House’. The name’s origin might be derived from the fact that it hosted a very powerful individual — Masaku.

Ndunda, who was born in 1916, says Masaku was polygamous and a nomad. Wherever he went, he married many wives.

Sacred ground

Among the places Masaku lived include Mukaa, Kilungi, slopes of Mbooni and others.

When the prophet died, he left behind a son — Iluvya.

Ndunda says Iluvya seemed to have been more powerful than his father. He could even fly.

Whenever there was a crisis, such as drought or outbreak of disease, he would fly to heaven and return with a solution.

Before he left, he would summon his people and discuss the problems with them.

He would then kill an animal and celebrate with the villagers.

Suddenly, during the banquet, a whirlpool would appear and carry Iluvya away.

There is a story that in the 1970s a man made it to the top of the hill. He was unable to climb down without assistance, but once his feet touched the ground, he became mad.

"That was clear indication the man went against the spirit of prophet Masaku. He was punished for his disobedience," says Ndunda, adding that the place was and still is sacred.