Mitheru Njuri Ncheke elders on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, condemned the theft of over 300 traditional artefacts from Mitheru Tourism and Culture Centre.
The centre built and fenced by the county government of Tharaka Nithi had eight of its doors broken after thugs broke in and made away with over 300 traditional artefacts and instruments stored in the facility.
Mitheru Tourism and Cultural group chairman, Marangu Mugo noted that among the artefacts stolen are traditional wear, instruments of war and other traditional household goods used to preserve the Muthambi culture.
"We are asking anyone involved with the theft to return the stolen products before Njuri takes further action. The instruments were used to protect our culture and heritage which is now at risk," he said.
Bartholomew Nyaga Maiti, a Njuri Ncheke elder termed the culprits as enemies to the preservation of the Muthambi culture, saying the cultural centre was created for the purpose of preserving culture to be passed on to other generations.
On his part, Mitheru Njuri Ncheke chairman Japhet Njagi stated that the culprits had six months to return the stolen artefact failure to which they will face bad omen.
He also noted that together with other elders they will be conducting a meeting at the Njuri Ncheke main shrine at Nchiru in Tigania West of Meru County to condemn the robbery.
The elders called on the County Government of Tharaka Nithi to renovate and improve the facility and ensure proper security is put in place to safeguard the community’s history.
Similarly, the elders also condemned and denounced the increased cases of baby dumping witnessed in the region.
This follows after a recent incident where the body of a decomposing newborn baby was retrieved from a pit latrine in Ruria village.
“We have witnessed a high number of cases where newborn babies are dumped or abandoned by their mothers in Maara. We ask parents and guardians to be vigilant and alert when taking care of their children and ensure no mother disposes their newborn baby”, Njagi said.
While condemning the distasteful act witnessed, Njuri Ncheke elder, Nderebinu Mbae asked parents and guardians not to victimize their children incase they got pregnant, stating that children were a gift from God.
“We highly condemn the act witnessed over the week. Our call to the young mothers is to let the babies live since children are a gift from God. We are asking them not to throw the babies away but rather give the responsibility to other family or community members”, he said.
