Maina Njenga to Gachagua: Let's meet and talk

Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga sent tongues wagging last weekend when he addressed a massive gathering in Kenol, Murang'a County sparking speculation on what he is exactly up to.

Njenga has never hidden his desire to enter into active politics by attempts to secure an elective seat in his Laikipia backyard but has so far come a cropper. However, that he enjoys massive support, especially among young people in the Mt Kenya region has never been in doubt.

However, those uncomfortable with his activities, which have seen him land in police cells, including during the Azimio street protests, point to his past when he was Mungiki chairman.

The ragtag militia was associated with criminal activities that led to the deaths of many people in Central, Nairobi, and Rift Valley leading to his prescription. However, both Njenga and fellow leader Ndura Waruinge transited to religion establishing churches with huge followings in Kitengela and Donholm respectively. But while Waruinge, who made news when he led Mungiki adherents to attempt to burn down Freemasons Hall along Lenana Road in Nairobi, has largely disappeared from the public eye, Njenga has become a mainstay in politics.

Reconciliation

He is currently associating with Azimio La Umoja One Kenya led by former president Uhuru Kenyatta and former premier Raila Odinga. This has seen him get into run-ins with the government especially Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is gunning to assert himself as Mt Kenya's kingpin.

During the funeral of Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima, who was laid to rest in her home in Ihithe, Nyeri County, on September 28, Njenga attempted to seek reconciliation with Gachagua but was rebuffed due to the alleged criminal association.

"I am willing to meet and discuss anything you want. There is no need to harass me with police officers day and night. The elders and youth are here and can act as intermediaries, let's dialogue," he said.

Gachagua however noted that he would not dialogue with a criminal entity and asked Njenga to denounce violence. But political pundits say Njenga, in his current form, is unlikely to engage in killings such as those associated with the Mungiki. While Mungiki is remembered for its criminal activities, the raid at the Freemasons Hall also stands out.

During the incident 23 years ago, Waruinge led about 400 Mungiki members to the Masonic lodge where Freemasons conduct their private affairs and prayers.

But the mission to raze down the Hall aborted, according to Waruinge, when they stumbled on what resembled animation of 'skeletons'.

Armed with jerricans full of petrol, adherents stormed the lodge following rumours that a snake belonging to Freemasons had swallowed in Jericho estate, the child of their member.

"Following the claim, and out of curiosity, we decided to revenge by storming the Freemasonry hall with the intention of burning it," said Ndura, the founder of Crusaders for Christ Ministry.

This is how the Daily Nation on October 23, 2000, reported the incident: Singing traditional songs and occasionally snuffing tobacco, the group of about 400 marches on - matchboxes and petrol in hand. Ahead lies the Freemasons building on Nyerere Road, Nairobi. "We will burn it down", they chant. "It promotes devil worship."

Prior to the abortive raid, Waruinge had hinted about the sect's intention to bring down the Freemasonry building when he told the media: "It is only a matter of time. The halls must go; they must be destroyed."

And revisiting the incident after prominent lawyer Ambrose Rachier in a TV interview confessing of being a Freemason, Waruinge says he started receiving threats from top government officials and top religious leaders at the lodge burglary.

And up to date, the former Mungiki leader is still mystified at why the hall never caught fire even after they soaked the 'carpet' with petrol and tried in vain to light it.

"Strangely, all the burning match sticks we dropped on the carpet smothered forcing us to abandon the mission in panic," recalled Waruinge.

However, not willing to give up easily, the adherents broke into a locked chamber, which Ndura claims contained skeleton animations. Also inside the chamber, was a register allegedly containing names of members of the Masonic lodge.

"Scared of the frightening animations, we grabbed the golden register and fled from the hall fearing for our lives," says Waruinge.

The raid came at a time when Mungiki, which had morphed into a dangerous killer gang, was a thorn in the flesh of the government. Though Njenga appears not to be interested in reviving a similar criminal enterprise, observers say he looks to be developing a cult that's ready for any command, especially political, but how much influence he will have in national politics remains to be seen.

However, during the event in Kenol, which was dubbed Agikuyu Men's Conference, Njenga sought to show how much he was in charge when he ordered those who had stolen goats from the Kenyattas' Northlands Farm to return them, saying he saw some of his members stealing them.