Njenga Rebrands Mungiki for 2012

Nairobi Star
22 June 2010

Nairobi — FORMER Mungiki sect leader Maina Njenga is quietly rebranding the banned organisation to establish it as a viable political vehicle in readiness for the 2012 elections.
Njenga has taken over the Kenya National Youth Alliance, the sect's political mouthpiece, and managed to convince politicians in Central Province, Nairobi and other parts of Kenya that the sect is now only interested in youth development and peace.

Previously Mungiki was believed to be running extortion and protection rackets, especially in the matatu industry, and used the funds to build up a membership of at least one million.


The intention now is to rebuild trust and confidence with Kenyans and to become a political player in 2012.

Njenga has been campaigning for the proposed constitution through his National Youth Movement for Yes.

"There is nothing wrong if we transform this movement into a political party. What we can do is just to remove the words 'For Yes' and we are left with the National Youth Movement," Maina told the Star in an interview.

He intends to accommodate the interests of both PNU and ODM on condition that "only matters of youth should be addressed." "Our mission is to erase the old image of Maina and the sect. That is why we are preaching peace and asking young people to engage in gainful employment even if it means self employment," said a former MP from Rift Valley who is now working closely with Njenga.

"By mid next year, for sure Maina will decide who becomes an MP in Central Kenya and some parts of the country where we have support. Those who want to be President will have to look for him because his base remains solid and we are converting more people," said the former MP.

Since his release from prison eight months ago, Njenga has managed to closely associate with Prime Minister Raila Odinga's son Fidel, three times share a platform with former President Moi, and several times be a guest at rallies called by current and former Cabinet ministers and MPs campaigning for the proposed constitution.

Last year Njenga successfully appealed against a five-year sentence for possession of an illegal firearm. His release came shortly after he prepared an affidavit for court naming top government officials as members or supporters of Mungiki. The affidavit was never released.

Over the weekend, Njenga was the chief guest at a meeting in Thika town attended by an estimated 5,000 people where he was made a Kikuyu elder.

The meeting organised the 'Kikuyu Council of Elders' was aimed at celebrating Kikuyu culture but turned out to be a Yes rally.

On his release from prison last October, Njenga was baptised and born again. He announced that the Mungiki sect was 'dead'.

Instead of protection rackets, former Mungiki members have now formed small 'saccos' to raise funds to conduct their business. The launch of one sacco in Eastleigh last week was postponed to this week.

Njenga's National Youth Movement for Yes claims to have five million members. It is mapping out strategies to select candidates for civic, parliamentary and presidential elections. He wants it to become a political party before 2012.

According to close associates, Njenga intends to contest a parliamentary seat in Nairobi but would also be interested in becoming a governor in a devolved government if the proposed constitution passes.

Politicians from both President Kibaki's PNU and Prime Minister Raila Odinga's ODM are now hovering around the former Mungiki leader hoping that he will collaborate with them in future.

They have been surprised at the huge numbers turning out at the rallies addressed by Njenga.

Many politicians or their emissaries have visited the offices of the Labour Party of Kenya on Amboseli Road, at the boundary between Nairobi's Lavington and Kawangware, where Njenga operates from.

There is already an existing youth initiative started in October 2005 called the National Youth Movement that he may absorb.

"We know that each other exist, we have worked before with Maina Njenga in his previous outfits and agitations. All young people share common vision and agendas," said Boniface Juma, chairman of the National Youth Movement.

"He has not approached us officially to partner with National Movement for Yes, because it is for campaigning for the proposed constitution. We have our activities running and they will continue running even after the referendum. When need be, we will cooperate with Maina," said Juma.

When he appealed for Sh5 million to offset mortuary fees for his late wife Virginia Nyakio in January, Maina collected Sh9 million, mostly from ordinary youth through M-Pesa and from politicians including finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta, former minister Njenga Karume, Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu, Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara, Assistant minister Margaret Wanjiru and former Kabete MP Paul Muite.