'Principal Mugwe': Former CS Jacob Kaimenyi named spiritual leader

Former Education Cabinet Secretary Professor Jacob Kaimenyi has been named as the ‘Principal Mugwe’.

Kaimenyi who is the current Chairman of the Ameru Community Cultural Stakeholders Association (ACCSA) becomes the ‘Spiritual Leader’ of the Meru community.

His new roles include promoting the cultural heritage and unity of the Meru people in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties.

Kaimenyi was named by the Meru community representatives before his coronation at Meru Sports Club.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, former Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura, Kenya Methodist University Vice Chancellor Prof Kobia Ataya and former Methodist Church in Kenya presiding bishop Lawi Imathiu were among those who attended the coronation ceremony.

Governor Njuki, Muthaura, and Kaimenyi are all Njuri Ncheke elders, another important group in the community's cultural heritage.

Koome Njue was the Meru tribe’s first Mugwe who led the people to their present-day home (Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties).

The Igembe, Tigania, and Imenti sub-tribes are found in Meru County while the Chuka, Tharaka, and Mwimbi sub-tribes live in Tharaka Nithi County.

Each of the sub-tribes had their own Mugwe but due to cultural erosion and other factors, the practice of having a Mugwe was abandoned.

Only the Tharaka people still have a Mugwe whose duties include praying for and guiding the community on matters that touch on their lives.

According to Dr Stephen Mugambi who has for decades been the spiritual leader of the Njuri Ncheke Council of Ameru elders, the Mugwe title is very significant.

“Mugwe is a God-fearing person, a spiritual leader who will be the advisor of the entire community on important issues that affect their lives. He will guide the community to ensure there is order and law among the people and will lead in dispute resolution,” said Dr Mugambi, also a cleric.

He said in the early beginning the people were deeply religious but the erosion of culture and tradition had brought with it a decline of society.

He said Kaimenyi's work includes the restoration of values and beneficial traditions among the members of the community.

“The Mugwe is tasked with ensuring the people do not go astray, and fear God. Because when they do, bad things happen. It is time for restoration of our cultural values and respect for God,” he stated.

Governor Njuki said the Meru community had a very rich cultural history that needs to be promoted and protected.

"Your work is to lead the Ameru, to be a spiritual leader in promoting our culture," he said.

He said the Ameru Cultural Stakeholders Association will complement the work done by Njuri Ncheke elders in promoting cultural values in the Meru community.

"We prescribe to Njuri Ncheke. We are not replacing Njuri Ncheke, we are just enriching it by making sure we have an outfit that is accessible to everybody. Even Njuri Ncheke members are in this outfit," he said.

He noted as part of efforts to promote culture both the Meru and Tharaka Nithi county assemblies had passed legislation to promote culture.

"We are striving to ensure that we have cultural museums in both counties so that our children have something to follow."

Njuki said it is crucial to promote the community's culture for the sake of future generations.

In his acceptance remarks, Kaimenyi who was adorned in traditional regalia said the cultural association will work with national and county governments and other stakeholders in a bid to promote the community’s musical and other talents, in addition to promoting traditional knowledge and skills that ensure communities thrived in agriculture, culture, and other fields.

"It is a huge responsibility that you have bestowed upon me. As a Njuri Ncheke elder, I will work with a lot of humility," Kaimenyi who also worked as Kenya's ambassador in Europe during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration said.

He said unlike Njuri Ncheke (which doesn't allow women as members) and other associations in Meru that have specific people as members, the cultural association had brought everybody on board.

"We thought the need to have an inclusive organization that brings on board everyone, including women, youth, non-professionals, and people with disability," Kaimenyi said.