Akamba elders turn to ancestral rain prayers as drought persists

As extreme weather patterns continue to ravage farms across Ukambani, taking a heavy toll even on traditional food crops suited to the semi-arid region, elders and rainmakers have turned to prayers and traditional rituals in a bid to avert looming disaster.

According to the elders, the prolonged lack of rainfall is linked to a bad omen locally known as Miimu, which they say has manifested through a spate of premature deaths in recent months. In a desperate attempt to change the situation, elders converged at the home of a renowned diviner in Kalii, Makindu, Makueni County, conducting rituals to appease the ancestors amid fears of an impending famine.

Ukambani, which mainly consists of Makueni, Machakos and Kitui counties has experienced severely depressed October–November–December rainfall, leaving farmers in the region counting losses. Many have abandoned their farms after staple crops, particularly maize and beans, dried up following nearly seven weeks of insufficient rainfall shortly after the onset of the short rains early last month.

Justus Mutie, a farmer from Kathiani Sub-County in Machakos, said the situation is unprecedented in his lifetime. “We have experienced poor rainfall before, but what we are seeing this year is exceptional. The crops have dried up completely, and nothing, including pasture for livestock, will be available in the coming weeks,” he said.

Although some parts of Ukambani have received heavy rains over the past two days, Mutie believes it is too late to salvage the damaged crops. “The rains may be back, but nothing will recover. At best, we can harvest rainwater for domestic use. We must brace ourselves for a difficult year ahead,” he added.

His fears were echoed by Machakos County Meteorological Director Dominic Kyalo, who warned that the rains are nearing their end. “The showers in various parts of the county are the tail-end of the short rain season. A dry spell is expected within the next two weeks,” Kyalo said.

Machakos County  Director of Crops Francisca Mwanzia confirmed the county government was fully aware of the looming food crisis. She said Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration had acted early on advisories warning of poor rainfall distribution. “From the onset, the county government was briefed on the poor performance of the November–December short rains. The governor even deferred seed distribution based on this advisory,” he said.

Cultural response

She urged farmers to intensify water harvesting and adopt innovative small-scale subsistence farming methods to improve household food security.

In Makueni County, however, elders insist that traditional cleansing is the only solution to what they describe as a troubling sequence of bad omens. The region has been shaken by tragic incidents, including a fatal accident in Mbooni, a collision involving a 14-seater matatu from Kinatwa Sacco and a trailer in Maungu, and several gender-based violence cases. One such incident occurred in Kalawa, Mbooni, where a man allegedly killed his wife with a machete before taking his own life over accusations of infidelity.

According to the elders, the land is angry and must be cleansed to restore harmony. “The land is swallowing people because of the deeds of those who live on it. If cleansing is not done, the drought will persist and destroy everything,” one elder said.

Wa Ngula, 85, explained that the ritual takes three days and involves slaughtering goats of specific colours, pouring libations to spirits of peace and forgiveness, preparing porridge, and performing overnight Kilumi dances. Food is symbolically offered to the ancestors before the final rite, Munavu.

Munavu uses a traditional catapult-like instrument, sounded three times to dispel unseen forces believed to cause misfortune. “Our lives revolve around culture. Many of us have experienced sleepless nights and profuse sweating before this gathering. During such times, all religions should pray in their own ways,” said Syombua Musonee, 80, from Katithi in Thwake.

Interestingly, before the ceremony that began last Friday concluded, rains started falling across Ukambani after weeks of scorching heat. While most farms had already lost their crops, elders remain hopeful. “We believe the rains will be abundant in areas that were not badly affected. Our prayers have been heard, and we trust that the health and prosperity of our people will be restored,” an elderly woman said.