In a time before the arrival of the white man, a man in Murang’a mastered both mystical powers and physical strength, leaving weak-willed soldiers no chance at love, as women found his charm and magical allure irresistible. This man, Karuri wa Gakure, ruled over men and won the hearts of 40 wives and numerous concubines through his love and enchantments.
Though there are no precise records of Karuri’s birth, since his parents, Gakure and Wangari, were illiterate, researcher Joachim Gitonga, a descendant of the chief, describes Karuri’s childhood in his book The Paramount Chief, Karuri wa Gakure as troubled. It is estimated that Karuri was born in Kanonero village, Iyego location, in Murang’a around 1849, as he was circumcised in 1869 at age 20. Initially named Thuo, he later earned the nickname Karuru (meaning “bitter man”) after surviving a fire, and some referred to him as Karua na Ngai (one initiated alongside a god).
After his father Gakure passed away during Karuri’s childhood, his mother Wangare moved with her children from the Ambui clan to the Angari clan, where they were ritually reborn. During his boyhood, a devastating famine hit Murang’a, forcing the family to wander in search of food, eventually reaching Mbeere through Kirinyaga.
It was in Mbeere where Karuri was trained in witchcraft by two famous witchdoctors, who taught him skills he later used to subdue animals, including elephants, which he killed for their tusks. He sold the ivory to Arab traders at Njogui-ini market in Murang’a. Gitonga explains that after making money from ivory, Karuri bought more witchcraft medicines from renowned practitioners like Githaiga wa Muya, Gikerumi wa Kirara, and Dorobo, undergoing all Kikuyu rituals to become a recognized witchdoctor.
Together with his maternal grandfather Gitonga wa Migwi, Karuri used his witchcraft to intimidate their enemies. One account tells of how they tried their powers on a beautiful girl who had rejected marriage offers, but despite their efforts, she remained unaffected by their magic.
As Karuri’s use of black magic grew, it caused strife in his community. He was blamed for the deaths of many who died under mysterious circumstances. In response, his clan, family, and neighbors held a ceremony where he was disowned and condemned to death for bringing pain and loss to innocent people. Fearing his supernatural abilities, they devised a new method to kill him, suspecting that if they put him in a beehive and rolled it downhill, he might escape using his magic.
They ultimately decided to burn him, along with his house and belongings, including his powerful charms. As the fire began to consume his hut, Karuri shouted curses and confessions from inside, admitting to killing several people and vowing to kill those who had set the blaze. His screams convinced everyone that he had perished in the flames.
However, Karuri had anticipated being burned alive and had dug a secret tunnel from his hut to a cliff overlooking the Mathioya River. He escaped through this tunnel and fled to Njumbi, only to return days later, leading a group of warriors provided by his friend and supporter, Mbaria. Upon his return, his family and community were shocked, with some believing he was a ghost, while others thought he had risen from the dead. From then on, he was known as Karua na Ngai or Karuru.
-He had 47 wives and was father to the later Minister John Michuki.){kind=link}