Chief Mukudi: The Story of the Samia Chief’s Star

Chief Mukudi: The Committed Activist of The Abanyala and The Abasamia
From a young age Chief Mukudi seemed to know what he wanted and aligned his life to greatness. Of course it helped that he was the son of a Chief from the Abamulembo clan in Bunyala.

Mukudi was born around 1881 in Rugunga. There are few details about his childhood although it is known that he was largely raised by his stepmothers, who were wives of his father, Chief Namwonja. As the son of a chief, Mukudi was privileged enough to have a formal education and was sent to the Catholic Mission School in Kibuye,in Kisumu in 1909.

Upon his return, Mukudi wooed and married Syeunga, a girl from the Wanga ruling dynasty. Mukudi then became an activist for the rights of the Samia, fighting oppression by the Wanga people of Mumias from 1910 until he was elected chief of Samia in 1927.

Chief Mukudi might be regarded by some as a collaborator but in truth he detested British colonialism and Christianity. His collaboration with the British was merely a strategy to advance the interests of his people.

During his time as chief from 1927 to 1948 he worked tirelessly to have his wish for the AbaSamia and Abanyala to have the best education possible. He established schools such as Nangina, Sigalame, Namboboto and Dibworo among others which have retained national prestige to this day.

Chief Mukudi earned the King's Jubilee Medal in 1935, and the Chief’s Star in 1938. Despite these awards, Chief Mukudi secretly joined the Mau Mau resistance movement and oversaw the setting up of an anti-imperialist oathing centre in Ssenya forest, in Samia. This resulted in his arrest and detention in Kajiado prison on May 11, 1954.

Later, Chief Mukudi spearheaded the creation of Busia District. He died on June 28, 1969, a superhero and is buried at his home in Namalo.

Chief Mukudi's legacy lives on
Our destiny is in our hands and it is upto us to make our world a better place for us and for the generations after us. Globalization has increasingly seen people disconnect from nature causing a lack awareness and understanding of forests and their benefits.

The Bunyala forest found in Kakamega County, covers an area of 826.6 hectares and is managed by the Kenya Forest Service. We must save our forests so as to save ourselves.