Wanugu Village: Residents deny any association with deadly criminal of 1990s

It’s a name that evokes deep lying memories about three hardcore criminals who meted terror on Kenyans back in the 1990s.

Residents of Wanugu village who were born after the millennial clock hit 2000, may have just heard tales about Wanugu, Wacucu and Rasta, Kenya’s most notorious criminals at the time.

The older ones – however – may have heard and lived through some of their terrifying stories just like the rest of Kenyans.

That’s why a mere mention of the name Wanugu will turn some heads.

According to the residents, the village located in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, has no links with the dreaded gangster, Gerald Munyeria alias Wanugu, who was felled in 1996.

‘Wanugu’ is Kikuyu word for monkey – and it is here that the village got its name since it borders the Aberdare Forest; a known playing ground for monkeys and baboons.

Residents say that the name has left many wondering how it came about and why locals stuck with it.

Presence of monkeys and baboons some decades back amused the first inhabitants, and people from neighbouring villages would later christen the place ‘Kwa Nugu’ (place of monkeys).

“People came from far away areas to get entertained by baboons. They were mesmerised with the creatures’ traits, and they would scoff at us for living with them,” Mzee Kimata recalls.

After Kenya gained independence, more people settled there and the name changed to Wanugu.

James Mukui who is in his 70s was born in Wanugu.

He says that elephants, leopards, antelopes and other animals from the forest roamed the village, but the cunning primates were the centre of attention, hence the association with the name.

“We embraced the name. We are proud of it. Wanugu village has been around for over 50 years, but very few people, even here in Gatundu, know about this place. Outsiders find it funny,” Mukui told Wananchi Reporting.

Wanugu shopping centre was established in 1981, and today has five shops, three bars, three hotels, two butcheries and a tea leaves collection centre.

The 540 kilometres Mau Mau road from Limuru to Nyeri, which is under construction, will pass through Wanugu.

“People are getting to know us because of Mau Mau road. Some think the infamous Wanugu hailed from here,” John Maina, 26, a resident says.

After the forest was fenced off some years back, baboons and other animals vanished from the village. Only Sykes’ monkeys and bush babies roam Wanugu today.