The Kikuyu chief whose life was ruled by witchcraft

When a man masters his universe by combining mystical powers with physical strength, weak-kneed soldiers have no chance at love as beautiful women find the bewitching charm irresistible. Long before the coming of the white man, one such man existed in Murang’a, where he wielded his powers over men, and conquered 40 wives and a string of concubines with his love and charms.

There are no records to show exactly when Karuri wa Gakure was born, for his parents Gakure and Wangari were illiterate. But a researcher, Joachim Gitonga, a descendant of the legend describes the chief’s childhood in his book, The Paramount Chief, Karuri wa Gakure, as unhappy.