History tells us his name was Sakawa wa Ng’iti.
Present folklore simply remembers him as Sakawa.
Born around 1840 within the southern area of Kisii, Sakawa came to be known as a man of deep silence, a silence that harboured mysterious power and notable wisdom.
Sakawa grew into a respected prophet amongst his kinsmen through his ability to accurately predict warfare. He was also a foreteller of incoming raiders – specifying days and times for the warriors of the Abagusii nation to be prepared to meet the enemy.
Towards the end of the 1800s
A severe epidemic wiped out hundreds of livestock in western Kenya and the areas of the Great Rift. As communities lost their property and wealth, tough measures to restock what had been lost were taken –war was inevitable.
The mighty Kipsigis planned a cattle ransack on the Abagusii. The Kipsigis believed the Abagusii not been affected as much by the disease as they had, making them ripe for a raid. As they set their plan to march to Kisii, little did they know that the Abagusii had a foreteller who saw their raid long before their councils had sanctioned the move.
Sakawa convened his stalwarts atop Manga Hill – a point where there was a clear view of anyone approaching the land. Sakawa had warned his people of the Sotik’s plan and day of arrival, and they requested him to use his supernatural powers to scare them off.
On the day of attack
the Kipsigis rallied their best soldiers. Their plan? To drive away as much livestock as possible expcting minimum resistance.
Their trek to Kisii was steady until they were met by thousands of vultures circling above them. Unbeknownst to the raiders, the birds had been called to by Sakawa. Known as birds that only feed on the dead many of the attackers recognised the omen and turned back, but a few determined souls ventured on.
The raid went on as planned, and several Abagusii lost their livestock.
However as the Kipsigis soldiers returned to their settlement, they were caught unaware in the Manga Escarpment.
The sound of horns from all directions rose into the air shaking the ground with their intensity; and then came warriors – men sent by Sakawa to reclaim what had been taken from them. For the Abagusii, it was a day of redemption forever remembered in history as the Battle of Sao Sao.
Following this victory,
Both Sakawa and his men were celebrated with Sakawa rising to a prominent place in the Abagusii council.
He was later the same man that warned his people of the coming of the missionaries and colonialists, informing them of the construction of buildings and the warfare that would come with their presence. True to his vision, by 1905 the British arrived exploring the hinterland and resistance from the Abagusii led to the many battles throughout the first half of the 20th century.
Sakawa is remembered as a man of both tranquility and wisdom. His last days are mysteriously unknown for legend has it that he disappeared after settling in for a moment of comfort on his favourite wooden stool.