In the beginning, Ngai called Gikuyu to the summit of Kirinyaga and gave him land, a wife named Mumbi, and nine daughters. From those daughters came the nine clans. This is the Kikuyu origin story, recorded by missionaries, retold by elders, weaponized by politicians. It is myth, but myths structure reality. The story tells Kikuyu who they are: a people chosen by God, rooted in land, organized by lineage. It has been used to justify land claims, ethnic solidarity, and political power. Understanding Kikuyu politics requires understanding how this story lives in the present.