Since retiring, Kenyatta has criticized Deputy President William Ruto’s government, aligning himself with the Unity Agreement led by Raila Odinga. Supporters insist Kenyatta remains the voice of the region, complicating matters.
On the other hand, Kenya Kwanza’s government supporters in Mount Kenya assert that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is the region’s kingpin. Analysts suggest that in countering Kenyatta’s influence, Gachagua may be influencing Maina Njenga to defy under the guise of the Unity Agreement. Njenga’s political maneuvers have confused many, as he appears to align with the government and the Unity Agreement simultaneously.
Njenga, while recently charging his own political path and seeking Mt Kenya prominence, has faced criticism for his dual stance. Despite his attempts to secure political positions, doubts persist about the authenticity of his political motives. The government seems to tolerate Njenga’s political activities, possibly viewing him as non-threatening.
Despite Njenga’s political events in various counties, his popularity in Mount Kenya remains questionable. Associating with Njenga in the region’s politics is perceived as detrimental, with parallels drawn to a notorious politician linked to Mungiki and electoral failure.
Njenga’s continued activism is seen by political analysts as a strategy to undermine both Kenyatta and Odinga. Critics argue that recent press conferences condemning Njenga are political tactics to remind locals of the perceived danger associated with Mungiki affiliations, attempting to discredit him in the eyes of the public.
Prezzo, a Kenyan rapper and businessman, has made shocking revelations about his past, admitting that he was a member of the Mungiki sect for 9 years. Mungiki is a Kikuyu-based criminal gang that was founded in the early 1990s. The group is known for its violence and extortion, and has been implicated in a number of high-profile crimes, including murder and rape. We recently delved deeper into Mungiki’s atrocities committed 8n Central Kenya during its prime.
In an interview with a Kenyan news outlet, Prezzo said that he joined the Mungiki when he was just a teenager. He said that he was attracted to the group’s power and sense of belonging. However, he soon realized that the Mungiki was not the kind of organization that he wanted to be a part of.
“I saw a lot of bad things happening in the Mungiki,” Prezzo said. “I saw people being killed, and I saw women being raped. I realized that this was not the kind of life that I wanted to live.”
Prezzo said that he left the Mungiki after 9 years, but that it was a difficult process. He said that he was threatened and harassed by the group, but that he was eventually able to break free.
Prezzo’s admission that he was a former Mungiki member has caused a stir in Kenya. Some people have praised him for his honesty, while others have criticized him for glorifying the group. However, Prezzo has said that he is simply trying to tell his story and help others who may be trapped in the Mungiki.
“I want people to know that there is a way out of the Mungiki,” Prezzo said. “I want them to know that they can have a better life.”
Prezzo’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of gang involvement. It is also a story of hope and redemption. It shows that even those who have made mistakes can change their lives and become productive members of society.
Maina Njenga and the Mungiki
Maina Njenga is the founder and leader of the Mungiki sect. He is a controversial figure, and has been accused of inciting violence and hatred. Njenga has denied these allegations, and has said that the Mungiki is a peaceful organization that is dedicated to protecting the Kikuyu people.
The Mungiki has been implicated in a number of high-profile crimes, including the murder of several Kenyan police officers. The group has also been accused of extortion and racketeering.
Despite its criminal activities, the Mungiki has a significant following among the Kikuyu people. Many Kikuyus see the Mungiki as a protector of their community.
The Mungiki remains a powerful force in Kenya, and its relationship with the government is complex. The government has cracked down on the group in recent years, but the Mungiki has remained resilient.
Prezzo’s admission that he was a former Mungiki member is a significant development. It shows that even those who have been involved in the group are willing to speak out against it. This could be a sign that the Mungiki’s grip on the Kikuyu community is weakening.
In a significant breakthrough for law enforcement in Nyeri, over 417 suspected stolen mobile phones have been recovered, and three individuals are now behind bars in connection with these thefts. This remarkable achievement comes as a result of diligent investigative work carried out by Nyeri detectives.
The story unfolds with the arrest of two young men, John Kariuki and James Thuita, on November 1, 2023. These two individuals were apprehended after being cornered while snatching mobile phones from unsuspecting shoppers in Gatitu, Nyeri. Their capture marked the first step towards unraveling a more extensive network of phone theft in the area.
Following the arrests of Kariuki and Thuita, Nyeri detectives took swift action by proceeding to Gatitu shopping center. It was there that they discovered David Thinwa Ngatia, an accomplice of the arrested duo, operating a mobile phone repair shop. This was a pivotal moment, as not only were the stolen phones recovered, but a treasure trove of stolen goods was also uncovered in Ngatia’s business space.
Among the items seized were two television sets, three laptops, two cameras, 47 mobile subscriber SIM cards, and an HP printer, among others. All these items were meticulously collected and kept as exhibits, providing a wealth of evidence for further investigation and potential recovery of stolen property.
The Nyeri security command has issued a stern warning regarding the surge in pickpocketing incidents, particularly targeting smartphones. However, they reassured the public that they are actively pursuing those responsible, with the assurance that any criminal cartels involved in such activities are under the vigilant watch of the police and will soon face the full force of the law.
In the aftermath of these significant developments, David Thinwa Ngatia joins John Kariuki and James Thuita as a guest of the state for the weekend. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday, where he will have to answer for his involvement in this series of thefts. These arrests and recoveries serve as a powerful reminder that crime will not go unpunished, and the authorities are committed to maintaining the safety and security of the community.
The “Red Thigh Curse” story gained renewed attention when a tweet of a concerned individual’s tweet went viral on X (Formerly Twitter). The tweet, which captured the essence of the legend and the worry it provokes, serves as a gateway into this intriguing myth.
In the tweet, the worried individual sought advice on the dreaded “Red Thigh,” mystery prompting a flurry of responses and discussions on X. The image below illustrates the tweet in question, demonstrating the contemporary relevance and the curiosity surrounding this mystic belief.
An X User complains about the Red Curse.. Photo/Courtesy
The Story’s Genesis..
The “Red Thigh” myth is believed to be associated with women conceived either when the mother was on her monthly periods or during a time of mourning or death within Kikuyu families.
These women, often referred to as “atumia a ciero ndune,” which translates to “women of the red thigh,” are thought to carry a curse or an evil spirit all through their lifetime. According to Kikuyu folklore, any man who marries such a woman is said to bring curses, misfortune and even Death upon himself and his family. It gets even scarier when these women know they are ‘A red thigh’ and can use it to threaten their partners when things go awry in the relationships and marriages.
These women, though considered cursed, are also described as exceptionally beautiful and charming, making them irresistibly attractive to men. In the closely-knit Kikuyu community, where clans and associations were once prevalent, it was relatively easy to identify these “femme fatales,” and men would be cautioned against engaging with women from specific clans, often carrying the alleged curse.One particular clan, the Ethaga clan in Murang’a county, is believed to be home to these mysterious women. Locals commonly refer to them as “Gitune,” which is the Kikuyu word for a red spot.
A chilling story from Mathioya tells of a woman who was marked as a ‘sexual vampire’, rumored to to be one of the infamous “red thigh” women. It is even reported that this curse was responsible for the untimely demise of several men around Mathioya’s Kiraini Market.
A tweep stresses the ‘Red thigh’ curse. Photo/Courtesy
An ‘Experts’ Perspective, Sort of..
In addition to the cultural significance of the “Red Thigh Curse,” experts offer a scientific viewpoint, suggesting that the belief in such curses can be attributed to the Placebo Effect. This psychological phenomenon underscores the influence of our beliefs on our well-being, further complicating the narrative of this captivating myth.
While the “Red Thigh Curse” remains firmly entrenched in Kikuyu culture and is spoken of in hushed tones, some experts offer an alternative explanation. They propose that this phenomenon could be attributed to the Placebo Effect, a psychological concept where one’s beliefs can influence their well-being. According to these experts, the belief in the curse of the “red thigh” may act as a mental barrier. The fear and anxiety associated with these women could lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where individuals believe that their association with such women will result in harm or death. This psychological perspective suggests that one’s mindset and beliefs could play a significant role in shaping their reality.In conclusion, the “Red Thigh Curse” remains a captivating and mysterious legend within the Kikuyu community. Whether one views it as a supernatural phenomenon or a product of the human psyche, the tale of the “red thigh” continues to intrigue and mystify. It serves as a fascinating reminder of the intricate interplay between culture, belief, and human psychology in shaping our perceptions and experiences.
In a real-life tale that reads like a Hollywood heist script, the Murakaru Brothers: Halford Munene Murakaru and Charles Mwangi Murakaru, university graduates from Kenya, managed to pull off an audacious bank robbery that involved digging a tunnel into the vault of a KCB Bank and making away with a staggering Ksh 52 million (approximately $520,000). This remarkable story takes us through their journey from a humble upbringing to their daring escapade.
A Humble Beginning
The two brothers were born in Karura Village in Mathira, Nyeri County. Despite a two-year age gap, Halford was born before Charles. According to their parents, the age difference did not deter them from forming an unbreakable bond. Titus Murakaru and Esther Nyaguthi, their hardworking parents, raised them with values and instilled in them the importance of education.
A Scholarly Duo
The Murakaru Brothers proved to be exceptional students. Halford, the elder sibling, set the academic pace and cultivated a culture of reading at home, a habit Charles quickly adopted. Their academic excellence led them to excel in their exams and secure admission to the prestigious Nyeri High School. This feat was reminiscent of the former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, who had also attended the same school.
At Nyeri High, the brothers continued to shine, scoring straight As in their exams, which eventually paved the way for them to join Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology. At the university, they both graduated with degrees in Agricultural Engineering, a significant accomplishment in their academic journey.
From Education to Unemployment
After their graduation, the harsh realities of life hit them hard. They found it incredibly challenging to secure employment, a stark contrast to the belief that “Education is the key.” Desperate for financial stability, the brothers turned to fraudulent activities under the guise of car sellers. Although this provided some income, their ambition and high aspirations left them wanting more.
The Daring Plan
Determined to achieve more significant financial success, the Murakaru Brothers decided to carry out a bank robbery. However, their approach was nothing like the traditional bank heists that involve guns and violence. They chose a more intricate, calculated method inspired by high-profile international heists, such as the Brazilian Bank Tunnel Robbery and El Chapo’s tunnel escape.
Photo/Netflix
Photo/Courtesy
The brothers settled on a plan that was bloodless, reflective of their high IQ, and promised substantial rewards. To execute their plan, they enlisted the help of two friends, Julius Ndung’u Wanaina, a graduate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nairobi, and Shem Kirimi, a student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology at the time.
The Greatest Heist in Kenya
Together, they set out to stage one of Kenya’s most daring heists. First, they identified a target bank with a significant security lapse they could exploit. Their choice was KCB Thika, which had a notable blind spot on its rear side with no CCTV cameras. It was the perfect catch for their audacious plan.
In June 2017, they rented three stalls using fake IDs in a building located just 30 meters from the bank. These stalls became the front for their bookshop business, a brilliant cover for their illicit activities. They financed their covert operation by using the proceeds from their fraudulent car-selling venture. With Ksh 168,000 in advance rent for six months, they set out to dig a tunnel.
Operation ‘Tunneldrop’
With the necessary resources, they purchased the tools needed for the underground tunnel, including hoes, a welding gas cylinder, a gas mask, planks of wood for tunnel support, sacks for soil disposal, cartons for concealing the excavated soil, overalls, a spirit level, and a battery with an inverter to illuminate the tunnel during their audacious heist.
During the day, they operated the bookshop, where they displayed books and printers, all part of their cover. At the same time, they took turns digging the underground tunnel and discreetly filling the sacks with soil. The entire operation was carried out meticulously under masks and dim lighting conditions to maintain their cover. They used the soil-filled cartons to transfer the earth without raising suspicion.
Materials and tools used in Digging the tunnel. Photo/Courtesy KCB Thika. Photo/Courtesy
The Night of the Heist
The Murakaru Brothers and their team toiled for six months to dig the tunnel, inching ever closer to their target, KCB Bank’s strong room. They rented a one-bedroom house in Juja to store some of their loot. Finally, on the night of Sunday, November 19, 2017, their tunnel reached the bank’s strong room.
Using oxyacetylene welding from their gas tank, they penetrated the bank’s vault and made off with a jaw-dropping Ksh 52 million. Their loot included not only Kenyan Shillings but also foreign currencies: 95 Australian Dollars, 185 Euros, 1630 Pounds, 5781 USD, 271K Tanzanian Shillings, 940K Ugandan Shillings, 40 South African Rand, and 5 Canadian Pounds.
The Brazen Getaway
In a move that set them apart from conventional thieves, the Murakaru Brothers didn’t flee the country immediately. Instead, they returned to their homes in Marurui Estate, Kasarani, awaiting the country’s reaction to their audacious crime. Their belief that they could remain anonymous was soon to be tested.
Shem Kirimi, one of their accomplices, chose a different path. However, what the group did not know was that a snitch lived among them. A neighbor who had been observing their suspicious behavior reported them to the police, a week after the heist. It’s unclear why the thieves remained in the area for that long, but their capture was imminent.
The Arrest and Recovery
The Murakaru Brothers and Julius were arrested in their house in Marurui. During their arrest, police discovered SIM cards and stolen IDs, which led to the revelation of the location where they had stashed the money. The recovery included Ksh 17,135,000, 1311 US dollars, 340 Great Britain Pounds, 5 Canadian Dollars, 85 Australian Dollars, 46,000 Tanzanian Shillings, 40 South African Rand, and 20,000 Ugandan Shillings. However, approximately Ksh 20 million from the heist remained unaccounted for.
The trio was arraigned in court and later released on a Ksh 4 million bond. Shem Kirimi, who had initially managed to evade capture, was arrested a week later in Mtwapa. To this day, Ksh 20 million remains unaccounted for, making this audacious bank robbery one of Kenya’s most remarkable and mysterious criminal escapades. The story of the Murakaru Brothers, who went from scholarly excellence to an audacious heist, stands as a testament to the lengths to which individuals can go in pursuit of their ambitions, for better or for worse.
In Kenya today, We are often taught not to trust anything/anyone online. This was the case in 2021/2022 when a notorious pyramid scheme resurfaced with a vengeance. They had evolved, becoming more sophisticated, elusive, and impervious to regulation. These schemes had lurked in the internet, ensnaring thousands of unsuspecting, young Kenyans with the allure of easy money. The name was Public Likes.
These scam had promised quick riches, but just like all pyramids, they had inevitably crumbled, leaving countless victims in financial ruin. It had posed as a website where users could earn money by merely clicking on ‘adverts.’
Public Likes had attracted new investors with promises of unusually high short-term returns. However, these returns hadn’t been from legitimate business activities. The website had presented itself as a “social media marketing” platform, claiming to connect advertisers with potential customers.
Users on this site had earned money simply by clicking on ads, in a scheme referred to as Paid-to-Click (PTC). They had been led to believe that advertisers had paid them for every click, known as Pay per Click (PPC). It had been a clever deception.
Photo/Courtesy
Public Likes hadn’t just been a Ponzi scheme; it had been part of a complex online fraud that had cost advertisers nearly Ksh 2 trillion annually in lost advertising revenue.
Jane had been among the earliest investors in this scheme, which had attracted approximately 2 million users in less than three months at its peak. Public Likes had even outperformed well-known websites like Twitter, Standard Digital, Wikipedia, and Sportspesa.com in popularity, according to Alexa, a California-based company that had tracked web traffic data.
Jane had had around Ksh 60,000 invested in the company when Safaricom had decided to suspend Public Likes’ Paybill. This move had come in response to numerous complaints from users who hadn’t been receiving their payments.
The company had insisted it hadn’t closed down, only temporarily pausing transactions while they had made changes. Meanwhile, Jane and others who had already recouped their investments had shrugged it off.
Latecomers like Peter, who had been attracted by the Ksh 20,000 Jane had been withdrawing weekly, had been left in suspense. If Public Likes had gone down, it had taken Peter’s hard-earned Ksh 4,500 with it. Both Jane and Peter had invested Ksh 4,500 to move past the first level, where users had had to wait three months and click on five ‘adverts’ every day to earn Ksh 10 for each click. Most people had quickly upgraded to the Business Basic level, where a one-time Ksh 4,500 subscription had allowed them to earn Ksh 7,500 per month.
Muniu Thoithi, head of forensics at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), had found this arrangement intriguing. He had stated that it had been peculiar for users to pay the PTC site to click on ads when they should have been paid for clicking on the links.
The Premium account subscription fee had been Ksh 14,000, allowing users to watch a maximum of 50 ads and earn Ksh 15,000 per month. At the highest level, Gold, users had paid a Ksh 90,000 subscription fee and had earned Ksh 30,000 monthly.
Despite knowing it had been a pyramid scheme, Jane had recouped her investments, while Peter had been left in limbo. The pyramid scheme had operated by receiving payments from new entrants like Peter and redistributing them to early users at the top, such as Jane.
When Peter had examined the list of advertisers on the website, he had noticed that most of them had been other PTC websites, which had raised questions about why these sites had paid for clicks. This had suggested that there had been little, if any, earnings from real advertisers.
Public Likes had started with genuine products, especially hotels, but they had mostly been international establishments. The hotels may have been duped into paying for viewers who hadn’t converted into customers, affecting Public Likes’ revenue.
According to Thoithi, PTC sites had struggled to attract advertisers willing to pay for clicks from users genuinely interested in the ads. Some PTC sites had even acted as affiliates to other PTC sites, redirecting clicks to the primary PTC site.
Peter had refrained from withdrawing his money, hoping it would accumulate, but the suspension of the Paybill number had dashed those hopes. Now, Public Likes had been tempting users like Peter with new earning options such as offer walls, videos, and a daily jackpot.
Public Likes had also insisted it hadn’t shut down its Paybill, temporarily suspending transactions to streamline operations. Safaricom had confirmed that they had met with the company’s representatives but couldn’t reveal their identities.
Public Likes might have also been linked to a global scam known as click fraud, which had robbed advertisers of about Ksh 1.7 trillion annually, according to ad verification company Adloox. Click fraud had involved repeatedly clicking on ads to generate revenue for the host site or drain revenue from advertisers.
In this type of fraud, a PTC site like Public Likes had been known as a click farm, where low-paid workers had been hired to click on paid advertising links.
While this online deception had continued to grow, fueled by high unemployment rates, increasing internet penetration, and a burgeoning mobile economy in Africa, it had been crucial for individuals to exercise caution. Falling victim to pyramid schemes had often reflected a lack of proper research, even when information had been readily available.
Despite numerous pyramid schemes collapsing and causing significant financial losses, people had continued to be lured into such ventures. The allure of quick and easy money had led individuals down a path of financial devastation, and this cycle had appeared far from ending.
As the Public Likes scheme had unraveled, another PTC, “Synergy Traffic,” had emerged, offering more attractive terms. Users had been able to withdraw a minimum of Ksh 2,500, and there had been no limits on daily clicks. Unlike Public Likes, Synergy Traffic had used Bitcoin for payments, making transactions difficult to trace.
While some like Jane may have considered joining another pyramid scheme, it had been essential to recognize the risks and pitfalls associated.
As we are all evolving to an internet- dependent Society, beware of online scams. They can ruin your life.
In the shadowy world of crime, Elias Kiriithi, also known as Sniper, was a name that struck fear into the hearts of many in Nyeri. For years, he had managed to elude the grasp of law enforcement, leaving a trail of violence and mayhem in his wake. However, as the saying goes, “every dog has its day,” and for Sniper, that day would come in a dramatic and violent showdown with the police.
The tale of Sniper’s demise begins with a gruesome act of betrayal within the criminal underworld. In November 2018, Sniper orchestrated the brutal murder and disposal of a fellow gangster who had turned informant, known as Mrefu, at Karia Dam in Nyeri. This heinous act sent shockwaves through the ranks of law enforcement, who were determined to bring Sniper to justice.
Knowing that his manhunt would escalate to unprecedented levels, Sniper went into hiding, deep in the shadows. The police were relentless in their pursuit, haunted by the extrajudicial blame heaped upon them for Mrefu’s demise. This hunt for Sniper was a double-edged sword, one that would ultimately lead to his downfall.
As days turned into weeks, Sniper found himself running low on funds to sustain his life in hiding. Desperate and unable to risk being seen, he devised a cunning plan. He assembled a crew of home invaders to target the residences of civilians who had left town for the Christmas holidays. These coordinated burglaries led to the transfer of a police constable suspected of colluding with the robbers.
Despite the setback, Sniper’s need for money continued to grow, forcing him to plan a robbery at Chania Tavern in January 2019. Unfortunately for him, the heist went awry, and his intoxicated accomplices were arrested, subsequently revealing Sniper’s involvement.
Realizing that he needed to evade capture once again, Sniper relocated to Juja Town in Kiambu, maintaining a low profile for almost a month. However, in March 2019, he was ambushed by the police while planning a robbery at Lexo Petrol Station. A critical mistake led to his narrow escape, but it also exposed his location in Juja, prompting his return to Nyeri.
Photo: Courtesy
Sniper’s cat-and-mouse game with the police continued as he moved between the houses of various girlfriends, using their homes as safe havens. This constant change of locations allowed him to hide in plain sight, all while enjoying the fruits of his criminal labor.
However, the intensified manhunt pushed Sniper to return to Juja in August, where he engaged in yet another audacious robbery, stealing a Ceska Pistol from an ATPU officer. He believed the smaller weapon would make him more mobile and elusive.
But Sniper’s days were numbered, and his own girlfriend would become the catalyst for his capture. In October 2019, he confided in her about his plan to rob a club owner at Viceroy near Majengo. She wasted no time in tipping off the police.
On that fateful night, Sniper arrived at the club, unaware that his world was about to crumble. As he alighted from his motorcycle, the police descended upon him. In a desperate bid for survival, he opened fire on the officers, triggering a shootout that would end in his demise.
The 20-minute exchange of gunfire left Sniper with an empty weapon, but his determination to evade capture was relentless. As he attempted to reload, he was overwhelmed and fatally wounded. On Thursday, October 11, 2019, Sniper’s reign of terror came to a brutal end at the age of 29.
In the end, Sniper’s criminal escapades were no match for the unwavering determination of law enforcement. His story serves as a chilling reminder that, in the world of crime, there is no escape from justice, no matter how elusive one may seem.
(This story above was compiled from various online sources. Some information might be inaccurate, Reach out to us through admin@smartie.co.ke for any clarifications)
