The Kikuyu are a Bantu tribe native to Central Kenya, but also found in significantly less numbers in Tanzania. At a population of 8,148,668 as of 2019, they account for 17.13% of the total population of Kenya, making them the largest ethnic group in Kenya.
The term Kikuyu is derived from the Swahili form of the word Gĩkũyũ. Gĩkũyũ is derived from the word mũkũyũ which means sycamore fig tree". Hence Agĩkũyũ in the Kikuyu language translates to "Children Of The Big Sycamore". The alternative name Nyũmba ya Mũmbi which encompasses Embu, Gikuyu, and Meru translates to "House of the Potter". Agĩkũyũ can also be a shortened form of Mũũgĩ kũrĩ ũyũ, hence "one who is wise to others".