Njuri Ncheke Elders at Odds as Leadership Dispute Threatens Council’s Unity

The Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders, a revered institution traditionally serving as the moral compass and primary arbitration body of the Ameru community, is currently embroiled in a debilitating leadership crisis that threatens its long-standing authority and stability. 

The escalating internal disputes, coupled with allegations of political interference, have resulted in a profound fragmentation within the council, impeding its ability to effectively function and maintain its historical role in community governance.

At the heart of the crisis is a protracted power struggle between two rival factions, each vying for control of the council's leadership. This deadlock has effectively paralyzed the council's operations, leading to a significant erosion of its capacity to mediate conflicts and uphold cultural traditions.

The crisis reached a critical point in August 2023 when Adrian Aruyaru and his supporters forcibly seized control of the Njuri Ncheke's sacred shrine in Nchiru, Tigania West. This action effectively locked out the legally recognized leadership of the council, led by Chairman Linus Kathera, secretaries Josphat Murangiri, and Washington Muthamia. Aruyaru's faction justified their actions by citing traditional disciplinary measures, arguing that Kathera's team had become unfit to lead the council. 

They asserted that generational leadership transitions within the council should strictly adhere to unwritten cultural protocols. In response, Kathera's faction vehemently denounced the takeover as illegitimate, emphasizing that leadership succession in Njuri Ncheke is governed by a combination of cultural traditions and formal legal frameworks. The ongoing dispute bears striking resemblances to a similar power struggle that occurred in 2015, during which the late Paul M'Ethingia was ousted with political support from then-Meru Governor Peter Munya. 

Rivalries between Munya and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, currently serving as Kenya's Deputy President, significantly influenced the leadership transition at that time. The 2015 dispute was eventually resolved through court mediation, leading to the installation of Kathera and Murangiri as the council's leaders. Current events suggest a repetition of history, with Aruyaru facing accusations of employing similar tactics to displace the leadership that succeeded M'Ethingia. 

Tensions heightened after the council endorsed the impeachment of then-Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza in October 2023. During a gathering at the Nchiru shrine, Njuri Ncheke elders symbolically blessed her rival, current Governor Isaac Mutuma, a move that deeply angered Aruyaru's faction. Aruyaru publicly challenged the council's decision, claiming that the endorsement meeting was improperly constituted and did not adhere to traditional procedural standards. 

Subsequently, his faction consolidated its position by electing Aruyaru as chairman and Solomon Kinyua as secretary general in August 2023. This move was based on the argument that leadership must transition from the Lubetaa age group to the younger Miriti generation, in accordance with traditional generational succession practices. While Kathera's supporters maintain that their leadership remains valid under a legally recognized constitution and a court settlement, Aruyaru's faction disputes the legitimacy of the codified document. 

They assert that Njuri Ncheke's governance principles are primarily transmitted orally, rather than being formally documented. The deep divisions within the council have significantly hindered its governance capabilities and tarnished its reputation. Once revered as an impartial arbiter of community affairs, the elders now find themselves embroiled in factional disputes that closely mirror the broader political rivalries within Kenya. Attempts to reconcile the warring factions have been unsuccessful, with both sides remaining entrenched in their positions. 

Local elders have expressed strong opposition to Aruyaru's leadership, further exacerbating the rift. The erosion of Njuri Ncheke's influence raises critical concerns for the Ameru community, whose trust in the council as a neutral institution has been shaken.