Banned Mungiki sect members march for Uhuru

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Aug. 20, 2002
http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?id=12819&categoryid=1
By Kemei Kimeli

Several thousand members of the banned Mungiki sect have held a demonstration in support of Uhuru Kenyatta for the presidency.

The sect, drawn mainly from the Kikuyu ethnic group, marched through Nairobi chanting “Uhuru for President” and waving placards expressing solidarity with President Moi and his choice of Uhuru Kenyatta as his successor to fight for the presidency in elections due by the end of the year.

President Moi has been criticised within the ruling Kanu party over his endorsement of Mr Kenyatta.

Four other party leaders have put their names forward, including Vice President George Saitoti and cabinet minister Raila Odinga. They want a more open contest for the party leadership.

Tuesday’s demonstration, which started from the Racecourse roundabout, was led by the sect’s national chairman, Maina Njenga, and coordinator, Ibrahim Ndura Waruinge.

The Mungiki sect has been banned since the government accused it of being a criminal organisation intent on causing tribal divisions and violence.

The sect members say they are a religious organisation and are just trying to promote traditional lifestyles and values based on Kikuyu culture.

The Mungiki sect first appeared in 1980 and its leaders now claim to have four million members, mostly among jobless young people in Nairobi’s slum areas.

One leader, Ibrahim Ndura Wariunge, said in November 2001 that the movement had been recruiting ex-policemen and soldiers.
[...]

In the last 12 months the Mungiki sect has been involved in violent struggles with ethnic Luo residents in Nairobi’s Kariobangi estate and with people running private transport businesses.

In March this year, the sect’s followers fought with Luo vigilante groups in Nairobi, leaving 20 people dead over a three week period.

In November 2001, the sect tried to seize control of public transport terminals on a number of route in Nairobi. Several people were killed in the violence that accompanied the take-over attempt.

The sect has also clashed with the Kenyan authorities in the past over its attempts to harass and beat up women who wear trousers and because of its support for the Kikuyu traditional practice of female circumcision.

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