Secrets of Njuri Ncheke shrine revealed to youths of integrity

The face of the Meru Council of Elders is slowly changing as relatively young professionals join its ranks.

The revered Njuri Ncheke, which has for centuries been the preserve of tough-talking elderly men, has in recent years admitted young, suave urbanites — who usually meet to discuss education, the economy and other social matters.

Though most activities of the Njuri Ncheke remain a closely guarded secret, the move to enrol young men is seen as an attempt to demystify the organisation.

Among the new recruits are high- ranking government officials who spend most of their time in offices, defying the image of the Njuri Ncheke elder as one who spends most of his time executing tribal laws, settling disputes and at times invoking curses.

Moreover, the elders no longer face Kirimara (Mt Kenya) when chanting their prayers and have even embraced Christianity. They have an elected chaplain, Rev Mugambi Mwithimbu, who reads Bible verses at their meetings.

Secretary General Phares Rutere says they can admit Meru men over 18 who have exhibited leadership qualities.

POTENTIAL RECRUITS

He cited Buuri MP Boniface Gatobu Kinoti 27, Chuka-IgambaNg’ombe MP Muthomi Njuki’s personal assistant Patrick Munene, 29, and Chuka University clerk Gideon Mwambia, 25, as some of the young men who have joined the elders’ club.

“We have many members below 35 years,” Mr Rutere told Sunday Nation.

The council’s Tharaka Chairman Kaimba Mangara says Njuri Ncheke used to be frowned upon by people who associated it with laid-back elderly men who shunned Christianity.

“Initially, I thought it was made up of lazy people who didn’t want to engage in any work. Then it only had old men. But it started embracing Christianity and has now attracted many young and educated people,” said Mr Mangara, a staunch Catholic.

According to Chuka University Vice-Chancellor Erastus Njoka, who is also the Tharaka-Nithi County Njuri Ncheke patron, many young men who qualified to join the group kept away because their peers were not represented.

The scholar, who is also the chairman of the Meru professionals’ forum, says growing interest was ignited by the appointment of then Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura as the council’s patron in 2010.

PROFESSIONALS ARE KEY
It is Mr Muthaura who united two opposing camps — one led by Mr Stanley Thiora, who has since died, and the other by current chairman Paul M’Ethinkia.

“Many people have been thinking that Njuri Ncheke consists of old people who want to be the sole custodians of the culture. People feared it because of stories about oaths. When they realised that one could swear using the Bible, like in court, they became more comfortable,” Prof Njoka said.

He explained that a number of educated people have shown interest after realising they have a role to play.

He said the professionals can help the community solve most of its internal problems like land disputes by following Njuri Ncheke tenets, which discourage vice and encourage ethical conduct.

Education secretary Jacob Kaimenyi, who is a member, said the involvement of professionals and the younger generation will ensure preservation of the Ameru culture.

“Any great society is defined by the way it upholds its traditions that are time-tested. We will make our community better if we uphold the progressive cultural practices, especially those that discouraged vices. I challenge you, if you are given an opportunity to join, please do it,” he said at a recent initiation ceremony at Gaciongo village.

Local politicians have also rushed to join the council to strengthen their bond with the electorate.

“If you want to work for people, you must walk with them. You must know their culture. Njuri Ncheke is involved in development and brings people together,” said Igembe North MP Joseph Eruaki, who joined the group while still working for the Meru Catholic Diocese.

SETTLING DISPUTES

Imenti South MP Kathuri Murungi said involvement of the youth in Njuri Ncheke will help eradicate social vices like drug abuse and crime.

“The youth are the elders of tomorrow. The elders can reach out to the youth because many are going astray for lack of guidance. The council can help them regain hope in life,” he said.

Thought to have begun in the 17th century, the council is the apex of the Meru traditional judicial system responsible for resolving disputes that lower ranks of elders were unable to settle.

It also helps to conserve the environment, including forests, grazing fields and salt licks.

But Njuri Ncheke does not settle disputes involving non-Meru people.

The group, which is the highest organ a Meru man can aspire to join in the community, has been very well-organised.

According to Mr Shadrack Muriuki, who runs a local newspaper, to become a member of Njuri Ncheke one needs to be a mature Meru man of high moral standing.

“You can only become an elder after undergoing thorough checks,” he said.

GOOD MORALS
Prof Njoka added that before one is recruited, the council investigates one’s family tree to ensure one is a pure Meru of impeccable character.

“Njuri Ncheke means the narrow jury, and it is the supreme court to which only a few are chosen. The members are believed to be almost faultless, people of integrity and honesty.

This is important because they are involved in domestic and land disputes where credibility is crucial. They take an oath to observe that, and if you are corrupt, the oath will eat you,” Prof Njoka said.

The council conducts its initiation in sacred shrines situated in each district before the new initiates graduate in a mass ceremony usually carried out at their headquarters in Nchiru where they have a dome-shaped shrine.

Women are not enrolled for fear they might divulge secrets in the event they marry outside the community.