Many legends in traditional African society are still highly celebrated and will be for many years with stories of their amazing acts being told to coming generations. These incredible leaders that existed pre and post colonial period contributed greatly to independence and existing society. There are many African heroes and stories, including the Babukusu who have produced several great leaders as well as stories.
Elijah Masinde was a resistant leader of the colonial rule and also a traditional medicine man that was popular in early 1980s across Bukusu land. He lived between the years 1908 and 1987, in a place called Maeni, Kimilili sub County of Bungoma County.
As told by his eldest son and other community members, he was the founder of a religious sect known as Dina ya Musambwa. Dini ya Musambwa had followers across the western region, up to the neighboring country Uganda. The religion stipulated that an individual paid reverence to the spirit from her mother’s clan. For example, Elijah Wanameme, as his name suggests, had acquired the spirit of the traditional medicine men from the clan of her mother Bameme.
Elijah Masinde Powerful Acts
Like some other community leaders, Elijah Masinde is believed to have had supernatural powers. He performed several wonders known as Kamaya in the verge of his colonial resistance. He used his alleged powers to stir a lot of activities and also disrupt colonial rule during his time.
Some of his wonders include kicking the ball into the air during a soccer match in Bukhungu stadium in Kakamega which never came back up to date. It is also believed that he saved Kenya’s first president from a bullet. Elijah supposedly had a vision that the colonialists had an intention of eliminating him. He, therefore, advised him to switch from the bed he used to sleep on. These events took place in a detention centre in Kapenguria.
Elijah Masinde is also said to have gotten out of the detention room without neither breaking the door nor the padlock. He was found sitting under the tree in the morning. Once Elijah was arrested against his will, along the journey he commanded the vehicle to stop and so it did. Additionally, he commanded it to move and so the engine started.
Wanameme is one of the most prominent leaders in the Bukusu community. His acts of bravery as well as mysteries have been discussed for a long time. He still remains a great and celebrated leader all over the country.
my name is Norman Ashaba and I’m from Uganda, everytime I tell Kenyans about this story they don’t accept and yet it’s even documented.
Elijah was a man of integrity 😂😂😂😂😆😆😆😆😆😆