President Uhuru to Pay Bride Price for His Great Grandmother to a Maasai Family

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family are making arrangements to visit a Maasai family in Narok and settle the bride price for former President Jomo Kenyatta’s grandmother, identified as Mosana, after more than 200 years.

President Uhuru's great grandfather married Mosana, a girl from a maasai family from Narok but failed to settle the entire bride price. The first family will therefore soon be visiting ole Gilisho family in Narok West Sub County to settle the debt. Customary laws requires that bride price must be cleared no matter how long it takes.

Former Gatundu MP Ngengi Muigai and his brother Kung’u Muigai, both cousins of President Uhuru, have been representing the family in negotiations with the Gilisho family on how to clear the debt of the ‘stolen girl’.

Sources within the Kenyatta family say the family has been tracing the roots of their great grandmother with the help of Maasai council of elders for several years. The mission bore fruits in 2013.

Speaking recently in Narok, Mr Kung’u said that Agikuyu warriors raided the Maasai village of Naroosura and fled with a herd of cattle and a girl who later gave birth to Kung’u Magana, who was the father of the first Kenyan President Jomo Kenyatta. Kung’u said that since President Uhuru was named after his great grandfather, Muigai, it is his responsibility to pay ‘his’ bride price.

“Mosana is the mother of our family. We respect her and that is why we have taken time to trace her origin,” Kung'u said.

Chief John Gilisho, Uhuru's great grandmother's family spokesman confirmed they are expecting the first family, but did not disclose the date. “We are working tirelessly to ensure the day is a success. Everything will, however, be done according to traditional Maasai culture,” said Chief Gilisho.