Dagoretti, West of Nairobi City has an interesting history how this name emanated from the murmurings of the natives who were dissatisfied with the grabbing of their ancestral lands by colonialists.
When British Colonial Administrator Frederick Lugard met Waiyaki wa Hinga, the Kikuyu leader in 1890s he was welcomed and was allowed to put up a house at today’s Dagoretti area alias “Dago”.
He found Kikuyus and Maasais residing there. The former were into farming while the latter were pastoralists.
Lugard however started encroaching on more land and when locals asked their leader what was happening, an angry Waiyaki told them “Mugunda Uyu Ndagurite” (He has not bought this land).
Locals started murmurings thus “Ndagurite” (Has not bought it) but the colonial masters who did not understand the meaning of these words thought it was the name of that place.
The colonialists grasped the name as “Dagoretti” and had it registered so.
Angered by the British harassment of his people, Waiyaki staged a revolt. Burnt down Lugard’s fort but was captured and taken to Kibwezi where it is said he was buried alive.
