Most residents in Central region fret at the thought that proscribed mungiki sect could be resurrecting.

Specifically, traders evoking past atrocities committed by the outlaws pray that the resurgence is just bad dream. Their fears are grounded on unfolding events in which the sect seem to be rearing its ugly head amid the changing fortunes of Njenga after he threw his weight behind President William Ruto.

In Kiambu and Murang’a counties, some of the matatu operators and owners interviewed by The Standard sounded the alarm, decrying how the sect has started extorting from them. They believe adherents are taking advantage of Maina Ngenga’s sudden rapprochement with the State to harass them. 

An official of a matatu Sacco in Kiambu cautioned the government to be wary of the dragon it was now creating by giving Mungiki a lifeline after it took a lot of effort and resources to slay it. 

“During those days, the gang behaved like another government complete with an its own version of KRA, in fact no business was spared by them, and we in matatu industry bore the brunt of its atrocities. Mungiki milked us dry and threatened us with death if we resisted, in short were co-owners in business with the rag tag militia,” said the official.

According to the matatu owner, it is wrong for the government give the sect a new lease of life all in the name of settling political scores.  

“The idea is in black and white; it is about frustrating and cutting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to size after failing to silence him completely. But this silencing will come with a very heavy price to Kenyans especially those of us in central region as the gang will take advantage of government protection to arm twist us into paying illegal fees,” noted the businessman.

The official who has several matatus that operates in Kiambu recalled how at the height of Mungiki rampage, every morning each matatu had to part with a hundred shillings to be allowed to operate.

“This was on top of fuel, insurance, Sacco dues and most of us run this business on loan and yet still the police demanded their cut from the same matatu. How wicked can a government be, we are in business and not politics and so politicians should not embroil us into their wars,” he lamented. 

A local church leader who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed disappointment at the turn of events and called on the clergy to rise in condemning government’s “veiled support” of Mungiki.

He echoed sentiments that the outlawed gang has been revived to curtail Gachagua’s political ambitions. 

“To flex their muscles and to cause fear which is their core business, the gang will kill, the church and all church umbrella bodies like NCCK (National Council of Churches of Kenya), Catholic Bishops and any other interest group to rise up and condemn this watering of a criminal gang,” said the cleric. 

According the the man of cloth, it was a mark of hypocrisy for the government deploy police to Haiti to quell gangs while back home it was reviving similar gangs.

“Barbecue and Maina Njenga are birds of the same feather, their mode of operation is the same, frustrate business men and women, kill and maim and form a parallel illegal tax collection unit. In central the people who suffer most are the Christians who we shepherd and who were largely used to vote in this government, we condemn this resurgence in the strongest terms,” said the leader.

Twenty years ago, Central region was the bedrock of the sect that was a thorn in the flesh of traders and families who lived at the mercy of adherents prompting a sustained ruthless government crackdown.

The outlaws disintegrated families, disrupted economic activities and day to day running of some educational institutions. 

For instance, in 2000 a police man was killed at Kanjahi village of Mathioya by the sect members after he attempted to disperse their meeting.

As the anarchy continued against the security agents, a sub chief was killed in his home while in full uniform at Karugia market near Saba Saba market, shortly after he attended a security meeting.

Presently, the re-emergence of the sect members in political gatherings led by Njenga has caused fear in the region. 

In Murang’a County, the Matatu Welfare Association has denounced the coming back of the sect saying this will instill fear among the stakeholders. 

According to the association’s chairman Francis Manyeki, Mungiki’s return will affect business enterprises in the mountain region.

“If the youth in the sect have issues, they can join the Genzs instead of causing terror as they pursue their political interests,” said Manyeki.

Bishop Stephen Maina of the Full Time Winners Gospel Church said there was need to counsel the youth against falling into the wrong groups.

“The leadership should look for ways to guide the youth instead of luring them into anarchy. The youth should be advised to stop going for short term gains and instead look for long lasting ventures,” advised Maina.

In the early 2000, the then Interior Cabinet Minister John Michuki and Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka who was then Murang’a District Commissioner hunted the Mungiki adherents in the village after they were involved in a series of macabre murders.

Current Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya when he served as the Murang’a DC was too confronted with the Mungiki menace.   

Jane Kiago*, a resident of Kahuro, remembers with nostalgia how the proscribed paralysed development activities in villages. 

“As women who saw the terrible acts by the Mungiki sect, we pray to God to ensure those supporting the gang. Some of the women were circumcised by force to conform with their beliefs,” said Kiago.

Mzee Mwangi Kamande a resident of Kigumo recounts how the sect took hostage of all the village business activities as they demanded protection levy.

“They demanded protection fee from almost all traders, and those who failed to comply were punished,” said Mwangi.