Namuncha

Namuncha is a community in the Northern Kajiado County, Kenya an hour north of Nairobi.

Population

The Maasai people make up the majority of Namuncha's population followed by the Kikuyu and Turkana peoples. The predominant languages are Maa (the Maasai language), Kikuyu, and Swahili. Agriculture and pastoralism are the main sources of subsistence. There is an open-pit mine located near the river that employs a number of residents.

Joseph Mutete ole Kishau is Namuncha's elected community chairman.

Water resources

A seasonal source of water is the Ewuaso Kedong River. Constructed in the 1990s, there is a water pipeline that runs through the community. In January and February 2005, there were armed conflicts between Maasai pastoralists and Kikuyu farmers over access to water. Both Maasai and Kikuyu sustained casualties with a total of 18 reported killed.

Education

There is a primary school with eight teachers that serves children from grades 1 - 8 for free. There is no secondary school. There is an adult education center where over 100 adults learn the basic reading, writing, and arithmetic for free.

Religion

Christianity is a dominant religion in Namuncha, along with traditional beliefs. There are a number of denominations within the community including; Africa Inland Mission (AIC), Catholics and Methodists. The pastors of these churches form a non-profit called the Osotua Welfare Society led by pastor Simon Saitoti ole Tumanka of Namuncha AIC.

Health

The nearest source of medicine is in Maai-Mahiu or Ewuaso Kedong.

References

• Johnson, Hans. "Maasai Culture, Music, and Current Events". Retrieved 2007-02-11.
• Turner, Walter. "World Social Forum". Archived from the original on 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
• IRIN, News. "Water Clashes (Jan)". Archived from the original on 2006-11-27. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
• Relief, Web. "Water Clashes (Feb)". Retrieved 2007-02-12.