President Uhuru Kenyatta has now postponed paying the dowry of his great-grandmother, Musana from Narok after three centuries. The president wanted to pay the bride price to correct the wrongs his great-grandfather committed in the late 1890s before the Christmas season.
However, the event which was slated for this month has been pushed forward after Uhuru’s mother, Mama Ngina Kenyatta told the family that she won’t be around. Mama Ngina, who is traveling outside the country, will be back in February next year for the historical family event.
“We feel bad it has delayed for more than 300 years but we will definitely honor it,” said Uhuru’s cousin, Kungu Muigai.
“We are prepared for the historical event only that things have been coming up,” he added.
Among the things that delayed the event are the busy political schedules for the president after the disputed General election. Sources revealed that the dowry event will provide a rare moment for the Uhuru families, both close and extended to meet at the Great Rift Lodge.
“At the event, we will only have 50 people from our side and we also expect 50 from the other side. It is a private family event and we would like to keep politics away,” said a family source.
The family, with the help of Maasai Council of elders, established that Agikuyu warriors raided the Maasai village known as Naroosura two centuries ago and stole a herd of cattle and a girl who was later married to Magana and baptised Wanjiru.
She gave birth to Kung’u Magana who was the father of former President Jomo Kenyatta, James Muigai and Kung’u Muigai.
According to tradition, because President Uhuru was named after his great-grandfather, Muigai, the onus is on him to pay his bride prize.
Can you spot the President in the picture above?