When the name of a village in Kiambu County is mentioned, people burst with laughter.
It is called Wanugu village (meaning of the monkeys) in Gatundu South and has no links with the dreaded gangster Gerald Munyeria alias Wanugu killed in 1996.
However, the awkward name has left many wondering how it came about and why residents stuck with it.
The village borders Aberdare forest. Presence of baboons some decades back amused the first inhabitants and people from neighbouring villages who called 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 but they scoffed 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, 76, was born in Wanugu. He says elephants, leopards, antelopes and other animals from the forest roamed there but the cunning primates were the centre of attention, hence the association with the village.
“We embraced the name. We are proud of it. Wanugu has been around for over 50 years but very few people even here in Gatundu know about this place. Outsiders find it funny,” Mukui said.
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.
