SUMMARY

The Kikuyu (sometimes spelled Gikuyu) is an ethnic group in Kenya who has their traditional homeland around Mount Kenya. Kenya has more than 70 different ethnic groups and of these the Kikuyu is the largest with an estimated population around 7 million. The Kikuyu makes up approximately 20% of Kenyans population followed by Luo and Luhya (both: 13% 14%), Kamba (11%) and Kalenjin (11%). It is believed that the Kikuyu moved to the area around Mount Kenya from East and Northeast Africa around the 16th century. In traditional Kikuyu religion the god was called Ngai. Traditionally, leadership in the Kikuyu society has been based in a council of elders based on clans.

As an agricultural group land ownership is the most essential social, political and economic factor. Ownership of the land revolves around kin and the importance of land created tensions between colonisers as they occupied traditional Kikuyu land. The Mau Mau revolt against the British rulers was foremost a Kikuyu movement. When Kenya gained independence in 1963 the Kikuyu Jomo Kenyatta became the country’s first president. Kenyatta was after his death in 1978 succeeded by Daniel Arap Moi (a Kalenjin). Moi governed Kenya in an undemocratic manner until 2002 when Mwai Kibaki (a Kikuyu) took over power after elections.

Today, Kikuyu main livelihood is still farming which focuses on fresh manufactures consumed in Nairobi as well as coffee and tea for export. Also, many Kikuyu has been successful in commercial and economic activities.

The Kikuyu has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.