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                                                                                 The Lamu Ocean Front  |  Source: Author  Lamu Island Lamu Island belongs to an archipelago of five islands that include Pate, Manda, Kiwayu and Manda Toto. Lamu Town on  Lamu Island  is not only the largest urban settlement, but also the capital of Lamu County. This archipelago is on the East African coast, with a section of the county on the mainland. Lamu Island is one of the most ancient settlements in Africa. Archaeologists propose that habitation started in the 1300s, but evidence from hieroglyphics suggest otherwise. Lamu has been mentioned several times in Ancient Egyptian texts as ‘Amu.’ The other land mentioned in the ancient texts is Punt. The fact that there is a Somali ...

  Who Was Waiyaki wa Hinga? Little is known of this Kikuyu Chief who saw the transition from self government of the Kikuyu to colonial domination first by the Imperial British East African Company followed by the crown of the British Empire. Wa Hinga means that his father was called Hinga. Muriuki in his book on the History of the kikuyu tells us that Waiyaki’s father was called Kumale ole lemotaka – a hinga, since he could masquerade as either Kikuyu or Maasai. Hinga is a Kikuyu name for men that may have two different meanings, depending on the circumstances. a. Hinga – a person of mixed Maasai and Kikuyu blood who is fluent in both languages, or any person is able to speak both Kikuyu and one other African language. b. Hinga - A hypocrite; someone who does not show true feelings or intentions. " " The hidden entrances to Kikuyu fortified villages in forest fringes were called ‘Ihingo,’ – gates. Chief Waiyaki’s home area was at the border with the Maasai and had several for...