Panic in Kirinyaga as residents find leaflets warning over fresh Mungiki attack

Tension was high in Kirinyaga District after leaflets warning residents of a fresh Mungiki bloodbath were circulated.

The leaflets, written in Kikuyu, were distributed on Tuesday night. They warned that the sect would get human heads to honour their leader Maina Njenga, who was last week released from prison.

Residents woke up yesterday to find the leaflets at village centres and roadsides. The notes came two days after two suspected Mungiki members were killed by a vigilante group in Mathira East District. The leaflets also indicated the sect was demanding money from alleged debtors.

Maina Njenga

Central Deputy PPO Gideon Amalla said police were on alert.

Meanwhile, participants of a peace-building workshop in Nyeri challenged leaders to embrace reconciliation to solve the Mungiki menace in Central Province. Speaking at the forum organised by PeaceNet Kenya, the national umbrella organisation of NGOs, and the Nyeri Social Forum, Mugambi blamed leaders for failing to listen to the youth.

Youth fund

At the forum held at the YMCA Hall in Nyeri town, the youth said the sprouting of the Mungiki was as a result of cultural and social problems.

At the same time, Mungiki leader Maina Njenga wants part of the Youth Fund allocated to him to reform his followers, who have been accused of engaging in criminal activities.

Mr Njenga said he had skills and willpower to pull the youth.

"I have been a commander of millions of youths loyal to me and given this money, I could get them out of the roads," he said.

While lauding the ‘Kazi Kwa Vijana’ initiative, Njenga told President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to be keen on the programme operating as a way of keeping the jobless youths busy.