Kenya’s Bantu populations are grouped into three broad categories based on geography and historical migration patterns:
1. Western Bantus ~ Luhya, Gusii, Kuria, and Suba.
The migration of Western Kenya Bantus was gradual. It is believed they spent a considerable amount of time in present-day Uganda before moving into Kenya, starting around the 1st century AD.
The Abasuba (Suba) are considered the last group to migrate into Kenya. Their primary economic activities were fishing and boat building. Due to their small number and proximity to the larger, more militarily powerful Luo community, the Suba adopted Luo identity, language, and culture as a strategy for protection and survival.
2. Coastal Bantus ~ Mijikenda, Pokomo, Taita, Taveta, Digo, etc.
It is alleged that this group, along with the Central Kenya Bantus, migrated into Kenya from the north - southern Somalia and settled in Shungwaya as early as the 1st century AD. Around the 8th century, Arabs arrived and first settled along the Kenyan coast. They intermarried with the local coastal Bantu communities, leading to the formation of a new culture and language known as Swahili. Therefore, Swahili originated in modern day Kenya and NOT Tanzania.
3. Central Bantus ~ Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, Mbeere, and Kamba.
Before these communities migrated into Central Kenya, it’s suggested they lived along the Kenyan coast, specifically Shungwaya. It’s alleged they moved toward the Mount Kenya region specifically Meru County around the 11th century. These groups trace their ancestry to a proto-Bantu group called the Thagichu.
As the Thagichu settled in the Mount Kenya region, population growth triggered further southward migrations. This movement led to the fragmentation and eventual development of distinct identities and languages, such as Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, Mbeere, and Kamba.
Therefore there was no tribe called “Gikuyu” before the 11th century. Instead, the Gikuyu originated from the Thagichu and developed their specific language through the interaction and assimilation of indigenous groups like the Athi, Gumba, Maasai etc.
For example, Gikuyu refer to God as Ngai, a name that is not originally Gikuyu or either Bantu, but Maasai. In contrast, the Meru refer to God as Murungu, which is an original Bantu name. Similarly, the Mijikenda and Pokomo refer to God as Mulungu, from which the Swahili name Mungu is derived.
Today, traces of the Thagichu community still exist, primarily in sections of Igembe, Meru County.
