How the Kikuyu constructed huts & the ceremonies attached to the process are fascinating. From the location, to the kind of wood & thatch used, to the partitions & placements of the different areas within the hut. Thought went into every facet of construction.

#SKB1903 When a man wished to build a hut it was normal to call his pals and relas to help but not before he himself had begun the works. This was known as kwiarukira mwako and until he had he had no right to tumana for assistance. He must demonstrate willingness & ability to do the work

Just finished the chapter on villages & homesteads from the Southern Kikuyu Before 1903.

We have a truly amazing ancestry.

Some of my highlights.

Kihingo is not just an affluent neighborhood in Nairoz or a gate. This was the name for fortified villages that secured the borders and kept the interior villages safe. When the Kikuyu cleared the land for settlement, they initially identified suitable places for these villages before clearance begun. They were usually near the top of a ridge where the ground was level. They would then clear a

Begun reading The Southern Kikuyu before 1903 jana and man, it is so amazing to read about how intentional, purposeful and fair the Kikuyu were in their acquisition of land South of the River Chania. For those North of it in the Forth Hall district ( Mukuruwe wa Gathanga) the Kikuyu acquired their land by clearing and establishing themselves as first user. This was not so to the South. Where the forests were occupied largely by the Ndorobo. Europeans largely argued the Kikuyu could not have "bought" the land from the Ndorobo because they could easily

On November 23rd 1952, eight months after Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne, several hundred Kikuyu gathered in a small market place in Kiruara. Kiruara was located in the heart of what was then Fort Hall, now Muranga. They had gathered to listen to the prophecies of a young man. Who had claimed to have a vision of the end of colonial rule. This would obviously attract crowds. Who wouldn't want an end to persecution?

Sexual violence is a serious public health and human rights concern in Kenya with adverse physical and psycho-social consequences. Kenya needs to implement interventions that will comprehensively address the needs of Survivors.
#NothingForUsWithoutUs Rights belong to individuals and are not granted by the state. Human rights are entitlements that human beings have. Our Bill of Rights is the framework for social, economic & cultural policies.
#NothingForUsWithoutUs

In addition to conducting thorough and comprehensive investigations in cases of sexual violence we expect the @InteriorKE to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against sexual violence committed by police, other public servants and citizens.

#Justice4SGBVSurvivors @ODPP_KE @InteriorKE Should instruct all police officials to uphold the rights of all survivors of SV who seek their services, & adhere to GOK guidelines on management of sexual violence.

Survivors have a RIGHT to willingly press a charge of rape with the police.

#Justice4SGBVSurvivors

Police officers play a critical role in tackling sexual violence. Under the law, they have a duty to assist victims to access justice and receive immediate medical attention.

Do survivors feel safe going to the police?

What does the law say?

#Justice4SGBVSurvivors

@InteriorKE A police officer to whom a report of commission of a sexual offence has been made shall notify a nurse, clinical officer or medical practitioner at any health
facility and refer the survivor accordingly for medical treatment. Sexual Offenses Act, 2012

#Justice4SGBVSurvivors

@MOH_Kenya this is what Survivors of Sexual violence want from you.

1. A transparent and participatory process in accordance with international standards. A comprehensive plan that is implemented to respond to sexual violence in Kenya.

#SGBVSurvivorsHealth @MOH_Kenya provide quality free, comprehensive, survivor centered and trauma informed interventions to all survivors of sexual violence & ensure full implementation.

#SGBVSurvivorsHealth

I will not lie. There are many times that my solace is found here. In these streets. I have found so much love here. So much support here. So much beauty here. I hold these streets in very high regard. To all that have held me & others up when we wanna give up. I give you thanks. This has been a tough year. Losing Maitu has been shattering. There are many times I do not even know if I will wake up. But we are here. It is not without support. It has never been without support. I would have crumbled. Nothing prepares you for grief.

Hon Ken Okoth served Kibra Constituency as a member of the National Assembly from 2013 to the 26th of July 2019. He contributed greatly towards constitutionalism, good governance & the rule of law in Kenya.

#RememberingKenOkoth Hon Ken Okoth contributed to a broad range of policy and legislative interventions that have and continue to positively impact on the lives of many Kenyans.

WE CELEBRATE HIM TODAY!

#RememberingKenOkoth

In 1962, a year before Kenya gained independence a young man named James Mwangi was born in Nyagatugu, Kangema. A settlement in Muranga County to peasant farmers, Mwangi’s parents had no formal education & lived apart from what he calls the ‘monetary society’.
#ThePeoplesBanker His Papa was killed during the Emergency. He and six siblings were raised by their single Maitu Grace Mwangi.
Uneducated herself, Mwangi’s mother, an anchor throughout his life, was adamant & uncompromising about school. #ThePeoplesBanker

Among the Kikuyu proper ( as they were referred to wakati wa ukoloni), the largest localized kinship unit
was the "mbari" or sub-clan, a land-holding group containing as many as 5,000 persons. They comprised of male descendants of a common ancestor, their wives & dependents. The head of the sub-clan, if not the original founder,
was chosen from amongst his brothers, sons or grandsons by all the adult males of the group. His selection was based on qualifications such as wisdom, tact and his ability as a religious leader.

Tomorrow 26th June 2020, is the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
Torture has a long and sordid History in Kenya. From the British Colonialists to the present day!
#SupportLifeAfterTorture
@IMLU_org @HakiKNCHR @MutemiWaKiama @Maskani254 The legal definition of torture means, "an act committed by a person acting under color of law. specifically intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering upon another person. Victims require support & Justice. #SupportLifeAfterTorture @IMLU_org @MutemiWaKiama

The Nairobi City County Executive is unable to execute its mandate due to the absence of sound leadership. The Governor has recently been charged with abuse of office and under a recent court ruling restricted from accessing the county offices.
#UhuruWachanaNaNai Is unable to guide county affairs. Since the resignation of the former Deputy Governor, the Governor has failed to appoint another. This has left a leadership and management vacuum in the county. Uhuru naye akaona avenue.....

#UhuruWachanaNaNai

The sun is shinning and it is just an interesting day for science and learning. One night in a village in Cameroon something happened that would change their lives forever and not for the better. It was on August 21st 1986, a busy market day in lower Nyos. The kinda day that makes you just wanna shower and go do bed early because you are bone tired. Well, that evening was not like other evenings. The air was punctuated by the sound of an explosion... not close enough to cause any immediate panic but one that anyone would note as strange.

Being poor and pregnant in Nairobi is tough enough; now you could also lose your child to a bacteria that has been circulating at the KNH interacting with other bacteria as to become resistant to usual antibiotics. I have read with distress that we lost 11 neonates to this bacteria last week. Why the disdain for human life GOK? This is the largest referral hospital yet they have inadequate supplies to manage neonates. Nurses are improvising feeding tubes that make neonates bleed......