There’s no end in sight for the leadership wrangles that have rocked the Agikuyu council of elders, Kiama Kia Ma, as two factions lock horns with each claiming to the bonafide office holders....CONTINUE READING
The council’s National chairman Captain Kung’u Muigai said a splinter group has been formed and is disrupting the council’s activities including performing traditional ceremonies as well as installing officials in the group.
Speaking during the unveiling and handing over of ‘Muthigi’ to the newly elected Gatundu North chairman Ndere Githuka at Kamwangi on Saturday, Kung’u said the splinter group is being led by a faction of elders who allegedly forged documents to remain office bearers since 2008.
The chairman said the elders have since been suspended and ceased to be members of Kiama Kia Ma.
He said the group has been exploiting unsuspecting elders across the country through schemes to siphon money from them. He cited the printing and issuance of member badges by the group that cost the elders Sh1,000 each.
“They are after money and have already started demanding that their members should have identification badges which cost Sh1,000 each. We won’t interfere with whatever they are doing and so should they stop interfering with our activities,” the chairman said.
Kung’u at the same time told off the splinter group for attempting to disrupt Saturday’s event. He said every group has the right to conduct their activities devoid of any disruptions and altercations.
He also noted that the group has served Kiama Kia Ma elders with a notice to desist from carrying out its activities. The notice indicated that the Kung’u-led group is not legitimate office holders.
The notice, served by Gikenye, Mugo and Rienye advocates, also stated that Kung’u and his group issue a public apology for claiming to be members of Kiama Kia Ma, organising and conducting ceremonies and appointing non-members as officials of the council.
“We represent the registered officials comprising the National Executive Committee of Kiama Kia Ma. Our client has noted with concern that you have been falsely representing as members and officials of the council. You have held press conferences where you claimed to be officials and have organised ceremonies purporting to install branch officials,” reads part of the notice.
Elders listed in the notice include; Captain Kung’u, Amos Munyua, Samuel Kiarie, Kamau Kinyanjui, Francis Ndere, Justus Kiguta, Njuguna Mutembei, Stephen Kabaiku, Wambugu Gatonye, Kimotho Muturi, Benson Kagia, Njuguna Ndichu, Waweru Mbugua and Col (Rtd) Francis King’ori.
The notice, dated April 9, 2024 stated that failure to comply with the demands will land the elders in court.
“Take notice that should you fail to comply with our client’s demands within 14 days from the date of this letter, we have instructions to initiate legal proceedings against you,” the notice stated.
Kiambu county Kiama Kia Ma chairman Shamte Munyua said the splinter group is also demanding that the elders cease from donning their traditional attires.
He termed the demand as backwardness saying the attire is meant to preserve and promote the Kikuyu culture, adding that the attires are even worn by school children while performing traditional folk songs.
Munyua said the elders will remain focused in working to unite the Agikuyu as well as continue with the council’s work of salvaging the boy child from the jaws of illicit brews and guiding the community towards progress, socially, economically and politically.
“We won’t deviate on guiding the community and ensuring that unity is maintained. We are also not relenting on salvaging our youths from alcoholism, drugs and other antisocial vices,” Munyua said..<<CONTINUE READING>>
