Shujaa Stories: 21 Superheroes of Kenya

21 of Kenya’s greatest heroes and heroines

“Shujaa” is a Swahili word that means brave or courageous. It also refers to someone who is a hero. Here 21 of Kenya's greatest heroes and heroines are celebrated. They fought for their communities’ land, freedom and spiritual well-being; and they are revered by their communities to this day. We tell the stories of our past because we are proud of how far we’ve come, and to inspire our own stories.

What are your superpowers?

Kenya is rich in history and culture. Some of this richness has been brought out in our books, museums and in theatre. But there is one major section of our history that has been left out, especially for the younger generation of Kenyans: and that is our legendary pre-independence heroes, and the heritage sites surrounding where they once lived.

Every community has its famous historical leaders. Some of these heroes are known well beyond their communities due to the respect they managed to garner across the region. Many of them have a well developed and sophisticated folklore which embodies their history, traditions, morals, worldview and wisdom.

1: The Abba Gadas - The Ancient Borana Leadership System

Meet the Abba Gada, head of the Adula council. For five hundred years, the Borana religiously followed this system of ruling themselves because it kept them together, in unity.

Democracy existed in Africa long before the white man ever set foot on the African continent, and strong, age old dynasties are not the preserve of Europe and Asia.

2: Abdulla - The Mad Mulla

Mohammed Abdulla Hassan was born in the 1870s in Kob Fardod near Kirrit, in what later became Somaliland.
After his pilgrimage to Mecca, years after his grandfather had died in 1875, he met religious fundamentalists who changed his perceptions of the world and the British rule over his motherland. He regarded the whites as infidels.

The Mullah acquired weapons from the Ottoman empire, Sudan and other Islamic communities, and declared war on all infidels (the British). With 5000 of his followers armed with 200 guns, he created the Dervish empire.

3: Ajuran Sultanate - The Royals From Somali

In the midst of the vast Somali expanse in the 13 century, a great empire dwelt upon the land. Their canal system was a marvel of hydraulic engineering and, with a centralized system of government, the Sultans at the helm, and a strong military, not even the Oromo from the west and the Portuguese from the east could measure up to its might. This was the Ajuran Dynasty.

4: Cierume - The Dancing Embu Warrior

Cierume was the dancing warrior from Embu, who killed men with her dancing stick, and went on to become a powerful, fearless leader.

In the end, Cierume lost her chieftainship as a result of a conspiracy by the jealous men. In spite of this, her legacy lives on and her name continues to inspire Embu women to show determination in everything they do.

5: Ciokaraine - The Brave Meru Warrior

Ciokaraine M’Barungu was a prominent female diviner, leader and human rights activist from Meru.

She is said to have been as famous as Cierume of the Mbeere and Wangu wa Makeri of the Gikuyu.

7: Hawecha - The Oromo Dreamer

At a time when men ruled the world and young women had no authority whatsoever, Oromo girl Hawecha gradually rose to a position of unprecedented leadership and power, becoming the most famous prophetess of the Oromo people.

8: Karuri Wa Gakure - The Great Kikuyu Chief

Karuri wa Gakure was a famous Kikuyu medicine man and warrior. He was initiated into the trade as a traditional doctor and became famous for his skills. His fame increased further when he gave war medicine to the Kikuyu warriors of Karura in Kiambu to help them triumph over the Maasai warriors of Naivasha.

9: Kimnyole Arap Turukat - The Nandi Legend

Kimnyole Arap Turukat was the fourth Nandi Orkoiyot – a spiritual and military leader – during the early 1800s. Kimnyole is remembered for his powerful prophecies, which forever altered the lives of the Nandi.

10: Koitalel Arap Samoei - The Mighty Nandi Prophet

Koitalel Arap Samoei was Kimnyole Arap Turukat's son He was the closest to his father and had a greater ability to understand prophetic signs than his brothers. At 25, Samoei succeeded his father as the Orkoiyot, the supreme spiritual and political chief of the Nandi people.

11: Lenana - The Wise Maasai

Lenana was a famous Maasai Laiboni, who inherited prophetic powers from his powerful father. His legacy lives on today through one of the peaks of Mount Kenya, which was named after him.

13: Mekatilili Wa Menza - The Giriama Wonder Woman

Thought to have been born in the 1840s, Mekatilili is said to have been one of Kenya’s earliest freedom fighters.

14: Mepoho - The Magic Giriama Woman

The Magic Woman Mepoho was a Mijikenda diviner of repute. She would take part in a spiritual dance, through which – upon being possessed by a spirit – she could then prophesy. She could foretell of any calamities such as drought, famine or foods.

Mepoho also foretold the coming of the British colonialists, before the earth opened and she was swallowed alive.

15: Mugo wa Kibiru - The Kikuyu Seer

Mugo wa Kibiru was a famous Kikuyu prophet. He prophesied about the coming of the white man, and foretold the destruction of Kikuyu tribal customs.

16: Mukite wa Namene - The Drumming Bukusu Warrior

Among the Bukusu, a story is told of an orphaned boy, born in the 1790s, who rose up to beat the odds, playing war drums and uniting the people of Bukusu Land.

To this day, Mukite’s bravery, and how he united the Bukusu people, is a tale told with pride among the inhabitants of Western Kenya.

17: Mwangeka Wa Malowa - The Magnificent Taita Warrior

Mwangeka wa Malowa was a hero, soldier and Chief of the Taita people. As a leader, he championed his people in opposing colonial rule in the 19th century.

18: Nabongo Mumia - The Noble Wanga

King Nabongo Mumia was considered a very popular living legend and a great king by his subjects, because his style of ruling was different from that of those before him. During the colonial administration, the British were in awe of his power and influence, and Nabongo Mumia was recognized as a paramount chief.

19: Otenyo Nyamanetere - The Brave Kisii Warrior

Otenyo was an Kisii warrior who led the resistance against the British invasion of Kisii.

After being executed by the British, Otenyo was seen as a martyr, and his legend grew larger than life as the years went on.

20: Sakawa - The Kisii Foreteller

Sakawa was one of the most prominent seers of the Abagusii people and was said to have supernatural powers. One of his most famous demonstrations of his supernatural powers was when he helped the Kisii defeat well-trained and experienced Kipsingis warriors, who had raided them to restock their livestock.

21: Syokimau - The Kamba Oracle

Long before the coming of the white man, possession of supernatural powers was greatly revered among the Kenyan tribes. Of these tribes, only a few individuals could rival Syokimau of the Kamba for prophetic powers.