The Brave Warrior of Nyamira

Over the weekend, Muigai and his family visited a bee farm. He brought some treats that he bought to share with his friends.

“How is honey harvested?” Cherono asks Muigai.

“I did not see the process, children were not allowed around the hives.  I did see the farmers dressed in full-body suits to prevent them from getting stung.” Muigai says, passing around sweets made of honey.

“I don’t think I’d be brave enough to go near a hive even with a bee suit on,” Musyoki says.

“Speaking of bravery, have you guys heard of  the warrior Otenyo Nyamantere?” Cherono asks. 

“Nope,” they all answer in unison.

“He was a Kisii warrior from Nyamira,” Cherono answers as he stands up, puffs her chest out and with a deep voice makes a warrior cry.

They all laugh hysterically.

Otenyo Nyamatere defended his people against the British; they called them the Nyarigoti. The tragic end to this warrior is, after defeat, he went into hiding for months but was one day found beheaded.

Muigai adds to the Nyamira story with an anecdote of his own.

“There was a prophet called Sakawa who foretold the coming of the white man, and a prophetess called Moraa who predicted Otenyo’s success,” Muigai says.

Nkirote had the funniest fact about Nyamira County.

“Currently the most common sight in Nyamira is a boda boda bundled with either chicken or a tray of eggs,” Nkirote says.

They all erupt in loud laughter. 

“Ok, I’m kidding. There’s the Manga Escarpment, the home of Ngoro ya Mwaga,” Nkirote says once he catches his breath. 

The escarpment has two hidden caves where the Kisii people went to worship Engai. Today many go there for a picnic and for a great view of Nyamira County.

“Every county is special in its own way and has something beautiful to offer including bodas,” Muigai says laughingly.