A History of the Kikuyu to 1905

Welcome to a concise history of a phenomenal people of Africa, Kenya who lived and experienced life at the advent of intense change. I wish I could tell you this story in the Gikuyu language. The meanings and interpretations could have been profound. It is already evident to all that no culture has ever developed using a foreign language. Such a process could have eased the current problem of African cultures suffering from mental slavery. Nevertheless, let me start by telling you who the Kikuyu really are. They live in central Kenya. They are a prehistoric people and very daring. At one time, when the British were the only superpower, the kikuyu dared them to a fight and actually won. In this book, I present to you an analysis of this egalitarian society, which was based on kinship groups and the mariika (age group) system. My analysis shows that it was moulded by the mode of the initial immigration and pattern of settlement. The mariika system provided manpower for public duties and was a vehicle for education and social control. This society was also highly competitive and egalitarian. Relations between the Kikuyu and their neighbours are also examined. It is shown that there was no basic difference in the relations existing between the Kikuyu themselves, the Kikuyu and the Maasai or the Kikuyu and their cousins around Mount Kenya. The bad reputation of the Kikuyu i shown to have emanated from the Kamba and coastal traders with disastrous results to the relations existing between the Kikuyu and all the newcomers. Finally, the initial establishment of the British rule, by force, is examined. The whole ambit of the western civilization descended onthe conquered with far-reaching repercussions to their way of life. I have presented to you a physical setting so that you can understand the story about migration and settlement. I have gone on to explain the relationships between the Kikuyu and their neighbours. The above forms the basis for your understanding of the social and political structure, which I present as the prelude to British colonial rule and enslavement under rules only rivaled by the communist soviet gulag and German nazi. Professor Samuel Mwituria Maina PhD, IDr, OGW Nairobi, 2025