13/12/2020
In the Kimeru language, “Ruku”, means “a piece of hard, dry wood”. General Ruku was born in Katheri sub-location, Upper Abothuguchi, Imenti Central, Meru County, in 1908. Some of the most prominent Mau Mau leaders came from Abothuguchi, including Field Marshal Baimungi, Assistant Field Marshal Gachienja, Generals Ndege, Kagia, Kula-Twende, Mukarange, Mengo and several captains, among others.
His real name was M’Ikiara wa Nyonta. Ruku’s father, Nyonta, was a wealthy livestock owner both in Katheri and Isiolo grazing area. In accordance with the Meru traditions, Ruku looked after his fathers cattle in Isiolo area. Being a gifted linguist he was able to learn Somali, Borana, Turkana, Samburu and Dorobo languages, during that period.
In 1940, Ruku was recruited into the Kings African Rifles (K.A.R) to fight in the Second World War. In 1941 he was posted to Ethiopia (Abyssinia) where he served in the special team that was detailed to guard the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie, by the British Government. While guarding the Emperor, Ruku met another Kenyan soldier, Stanley Mathenge wa Mirugi. They both continued guarding the Emperor together, until their demobilization in 1945. After the War, Ruku found his way to Uganda, where he served briefly in the Royal Court of the Kabaka, the traditional King of the Buganda.
Following his exposure both in Ethiopia and Uganda, the radicalized Ruku got convinced that a black man was also capable of ruling Kenya in place of the white man. In 1948, Ruku travelled back to Ethiopia to appeal to Emperor Haile Selassie for support of arms to overthrow the colonial rule in Kenya. He obtained the requested arms from the Emperor which he secretly smuggled into Kenya using camels and donkeys; which he quickly disposed of and hid the weapons in secret caves (M’Mwenda’s Caves) near Muchieene Forest Station in the Mt. Kenya Forest, in Kibirichia area.
In 1947, Ruku with his friend Mathenge visited Kenyatta at Githunguri twice and invited him to visit Meru. During that time Ruku was actively involved in the KCA and KAU radical politics of the time. On 18th August 1948, he and other senior Meru leaders welcomed Kenyatta to the home of Mubea wa M’Aguoro in Kibirichia location, Upper Abothuguchi, Central Imenti, Meru, where the then President of KAU delivered the following message to the people of the region:
God has given us a good fertile country and we can grow crops. We used to say that the Europeans got rich by planting coffee. But when I was in Europe, I heard that some parts of our country had been opened up for the planting of coffee by Africans. Then I came and saw that very fine coffee had been planted in Embu and Meru. Here you can work day and night to grow the best coffee possible. Where do you think all the fine things owned by the Indians and Europeans come from? They do not come down from Heaven, I can tell you. If you want to be respected by others, you must behave well and with restraint, you must tell the truth at all times and avoid idleness. Have nothing to do with thieves who not working themselves, live on other people’s property.
In early 1952, Ruku was appointed Vice-Chairman of the original Mau Mau War Council (MMWC) at its formation in Nairobi, with Stanley Mathenge wa Mirugi appointed its Chairman, in recognition of his military experience and leadership skills gained during the Second World War. Ruku was also appointed Regional Commander of the Mau Mau forces operating in Meru region with their headquarters in Mt. Kenya forest. During the previous year, he once again visited Emperor Haile Selassie and obtained more arms and ammunition, which he stashed away in secret caves under the care of his trusted younger brother nick-named “Karisasi” (a small bullet).
According to the Mau Mau military operational structure, Meru region fell under the Mt. Kenya Division (Mathathi Army) which was grouped together with Nyeri and Embu (including Kirinyaga and Mbeere), under the command of General China (Waruhiu Itote), who was assisted by General Tanganyika (as his immediate deputy) and 5 other Generals. All Divisional Commanders in Meru (General Mwariama – Nyambene area; General Kagia – Imenti area; General Simba – Chuka & Mwimbi areas; General Muchoori – Tharaka and the rest of the lower areas) were reporting to General Ruku, the Regional Commander. His appointment was in recognition of his military exposure, high level connections in Ethiopia and resource mobilization skills.
Ruku (pictured, sitting), a true patriot, was killed by the Government forces in Mt. Kenya forest in 1957.
The Ameru in the Mau Mau
Kaburu Ndubai, 2016.
