African History

Wangu wa Makeri: The Powerful and Controversial Female Chief in Kenyan History

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Wangu wa Makeri

Wangu wa Makeri was one of the most powerful and controversial leaders in pre-colonial Kenya. She was a Kikuyu woman who rose to prominence in the late 19th century during a time when leadership among the Agikuyu community was dominated almost entirely by men. Born in Murang’a, Wangu wa Makeri grew up in a society … Read more

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How Meru, Kikuyu and Embu Paid the Price for Kenya’s Independence

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Meru, Kikuyu and Embu

The Mau Mau uprising (1952-1960) presented an existential threat to British colonial rule. The colonial government’s response was brutal and multifaceted: military operations, detention camps, and villagization. But perhaps one of the most insidious strategies was economic warfare. A special tax was imposed solely on the residents of the so-called “emergency areas”—primarily the Meru, Kikuyu and … Read more

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