The Kikuyu Council of Elders under the umbrella of Kiama Kia Ma have condemned the heinous murder of an initiate, Juliano Kanyonyo, the 15-year old boy from Gatitu Primary School in Murang’a county who died in the hands of his counsellors after his mother allegedly gave them an immature chicken.
Led by their chairperson for Murang’a County chapter Kiarie Wa Rugami Wa Combu, the elders condemned the murder and vowed to curse the alleged perpetrators. Kiarie said that it is against the Kikuyu tradition to kill an initiate or to demand anything from the person who has just undergone a rite of passage.
“According to Agikuyu culture and tradition, it’s immoral and illegal for anyone to demand goodies from the initiate, those purporting to follow the tradition are misguiding locals and should be dealt with in accordance with the law since it’s also illegal to kill,” said an elder.
The elders called on security agencies to fast-track investigations in the incident saying that they want the suspects charged with murder for maligning the Kikuyu tradition.
They further called out the culture of youthful men in Muranga who have been demanding chicken and cigarettes from the initiates saying that the two have never been used to welcome the circumcised into manhood. They also said that Kikuyu culture does not condone the torturing of initiates.
“Hooligans and illegal groups have misused the Kikuyu culture for a very long time on how the initiates are welcomed into manhood. After the initiation, the initiate’s father or his uncle produces a he-goat on his behalf which, is then slaughtered to his clan and the initiate’s care giver, during that ceremony known as ‘Ithemba’ he is dressed up to a new kanga and assimilated back to the community,” he said.
Juliano was found dead in his room with blood oozing from his mouth while on bed rest after being circumcised. Later post-mortem results revealed that he was hit several times on the head with a blunt object which caused brain haemorrhage which later led to his death.
According to Kandara OCPD Wilson Kosgey seven suspects have since been arrested and investigations are ongoing.
“We are working round the clock to reveal the real culprits behind death of the 15 year old,” he said.
Juliano, who sat for his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination this year scored 376 marks but did not live to see the fruits of his hard work as he died before the results were released.
The family of the later Juliano, his friends, Kikuyu elders and the entire community now only wait with hope that justice will be served. Do you think the true culprits will be found?