wakimani
Elder Lister
Born- 1908
Assassinated-1957
In the Kimeru language, “Ruku”, means “a piece of hard, dry wood”. Ruku was born in Katheri sub-location, Upper Abothuguchi, Imenti Central, Meru County, in 1908.
His real name was M’Ikiara wa Nyonta. Ruku’s father, Nyonta, was a wealthy livestock owner both in Katheri and Isiolo grazing area. In accordance with the Meru traditions, Ruku looked after his fathers cattle in Isiolo area. Being a gifted linguist he was able to learn Somali, Borana, Turkana, Samburu and Dorobo languages, during that period. In 1940, Ruku was recruited into the Kings African Rifles (K.A.R) to fight in the Second World War. In 1941 he was posted to Ethiopia (Abyssinia) where he served in the special team that was detailed to guard the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie, by the British Government. While guarding the Emperor, Ruku met another Kenyan soldier Joseph Mathenge wa Mirugi. They both continued guarding the Emperor together, until their demobilization in 1945.
After the War, Ruku found his way to Uganda, where he served briefly in the Royal Court of the Kabaka the traditional King of the Buganda. Following his exposure both in Ethiopia and Uganda, the radicalized Ruku got convinced that a black man was also capable of ruling Kenya in place of the white man.
In 1948 Ruku travelled back to Ethiopia to appeal to Emperor Haile Selassie for support of arms to overthrough the colonial rule in Kenya.
He obtained the requested arms from the Emperor which he secretly smuggled into Kenya using camels and donkeys which he quickly disposed of and hid the weapons in secret caves (M’Mwenda’s Caves) near Muchieene Forest Station in the Mt. Kenya Forest, in Kibirichia area.
In 1947 Ruku with his friend Mathenge visited Kenyatta at Githunguri twice and invited him to visit Meru. During that time Ruku was actively involved in the KCA and KAU radical politics of the time. On 18th August 1948, he and other senior Meru leaders welcomed Kenyatta to the home of Mubea wa M’Aguoro in Kibirichia location, Upper Abothuguchi, Central Imenti, Meru County.
In early 1952, Ruku was appointed Vice-chaiman of the original Mau Mau War Council (MMWC) at its formation in Nairobi. He was also appointed Regional Commander of the Mau Mau forces operating in Meru region with their headquarters in Mt. Kenya forest. During the previous year, he once again visited Emperor Haile Selassie and obtained more arms and ammunition, which he stashed away in secret caves under the care of his trusted younger brother nick-named “Karisasi” (a small bullet).
Ruku was killed by the Government forces in Mt. Kenya forest in 1957.
Assassinated-1957
In the Kimeru language, “Ruku”, means “a piece of hard, dry wood”. Ruku was born in Katheri sub-location, Upper Abothuguchi, Imenti Central, Meru County, in 1908.
His real name was M’Ikiara wa Nyonta. Ruku’s father, Nyonta, was a wealthy livestock owner both in Katheri and Isiolo grazing area. In accordance with the Meru traditions, Ruku looked after his fathers cattle in Isiolo area. Being a gifted linguist he was able to learn Somali, Borana, Turkana, Samburu and Dorobo languages, during that period. In 1940, Ruku was recruited into the Kings African Rifles (K.A.R) to fight in the Second World War. In 1941 he was posted to Ethiopia (Abyssinia) where he served in the special team that was detailed to guard the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie, by the British Government. While guarding the Emperor, Ruku met another Kenyan soldier Joseph Mathenge wa Mirugi. They both continued guarding the Emperor together, until their demobilization in 1945.
After the War, Ruku found his way to Uganda, where he served briefly in the Royal Court of the Kabaka the traditional King of the Buganda. Following his exposure both in Ethiopia and Uganda, the radicalized Ruku got convinced that a black man was also capable of ruling Kenya in place of the white man.
In 1948 Ruku travelled back to Ethiopia to appeal to Emperor Haile Selassie for support of arms to overthrough the colonial rule in Kenya.
He obtained the requested arms from the Emperor which he secretly smuggled into Kenya using camels and donkeys which he quickly disposed of and hid the weapons in secret caves (M’Mwenda’s Caves) near Muchieene Forest Station in the Mt. Kenya Forest, in Kibirichia area.
In 1947 Ruku with his friend Mathenge visited Kenyatta at Githunguri twice and invited him to visit Meru. During that time Ruku was actively involved in the KCA and KAU radical politics of the time. On 18th August 1948, he and other senior Meru leaders welcomed Kenyatta to the home of Mubea wa M’Aguoro in Kibirichia location, Upper Abothuguchi, Central Imenti, Meru County.
In early 1952, Ruku was appointed Vice-chaiman of the original Mau Mau War Council (MMWC) at its formation in Nairobi. He was also appointed Regional Commander of the Mau Mau forces operating in Meru region with their headquarters in Mt. Kenya forest. During the previous year, he once again visited Emperor Haile Selassie and obtained more arms and ammunition, which he stashed away in secret caves under the care of his trusted younger brother nick-named “Karisasi” (a small bullet).
Ruku was killed by the Government forces in Mt. Kenya forest in 1957.