Paramount Chief Karuri Gakure
The Mountain Journal
editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
An acre of land that includes the grave site of the late paramount chief Karuri Gakure in Tuthu will be handed over to Murang’a Catholic Diocese upon completion of the process.
The fourth generation of the late paramount chief has the grave site, traditional homestead, where he started the first bank in sub saharan Africa , which the family calls to be preserved as national heritage.
The late the family said, played a pivotal role in welcoming missionaries into Central Kenya as they settled in Tuthu where he operated in.
Photo/Some of the fourth generation of the paramount chief Karuri Gakure at Kangema sub county offices.
Francis Macharia, a descendant of the paramount chief said the area donated to the Murang’a Catholic Diocese Bishop James Maria Wainaina include the home where the first bank in sub Saharan Africa operated.
The family, he said, has begun the process of subdividing and donating part of his ancestral land to the Catholic Church in honour of his legacy.
Macharia, a fourth-generation grandson of the late chief, explained that the gesture was meant to honour the enduring friendship between the late Karuri wa Gakure and the early Catholic missionaries.
“The land carries untold history; as it is the place where the missionaries settled, and it is also where the late Chief Karuri was buried,” said Macharia in Kangema.
“Completing the subdivision and handing it over to the Church is our way of fulfilling his legacy and preserving the relationship he started,” he added.
Macharia recounted that the Tuthu residents protected the early Catholic missionaries, and who in return provided their children with education, which was scarce at the time.
Gatimu Karuri, a grand child of the paramount chief, says the great-grandfather saw education as a blessing and many of his children benefitted.
“He believed that hosting the missionaries would help secure a better future for his children. To him, it was a favour both ways; he gave them land, and they gave us knowledge,” explained Gatimu.
Another grandson, Joseph Kiruimi said they agreed that this land should be owned by the Church as it was the wish of their fore father.
“We felt it was time to honour the intentions of our late paramount chief who had a vision for the community,” said Kiruimi.
Church officials led by Franics Kibe appreciated the family saying the land will be used to build a new parish church, a community centre.
