From Jerusha Kanyua’s Prophecy To Now Chuka University

By Denis Elvis.

We are all familiar with Jerusha Kanyua's legacy, either during our orientation, from church, or while just residing in Chuka.  Her popular prophecy was of a mountain that would sprout in Ndagani, and many birds would flock from all over the world to land there. Understand Kanyua's life from birth, missionary work to her deathbed bed and the origins of Chuka University.

Jerusha Kanyua: Courtesy of Dictionary of African Christian Biography

The Dictionary of African Christian Biography states that Jerusha Kanyua was born in early 1872 in Karaa village, Mwimbi, now the Maara constituency in Tharaka Nithi county. Jerusha Kanyua grew up immersed in the rich traditions of the Ameru people. Without formal education, she embraced the rites of passage that shaped her into a resilient woman of her time.

In 1894, she married Paul Njeru, fondly known as Paulo, and together they left Mwimbi to settle in Chuka, near what is now Chuka General Hospital, a move that marked the beginning of a remarkable chapter in their lives.

Despite being blessed with several children, Jerusha Kanyua faced immense heartbreak as all of them tragically died in childhood, likely due to pneumonia, measles, or malaria. In search of an heir, her husband, Paul Njeru, remarried Martha Umotho, who bore him several children. Over time, Njeru’s treatment of Jerusha grew harsh, forcing her to leave and start anew in Ndagani, on the outskirts of Chuka town.

In an exclusive interview with an elder, Henry Migwi, Jerusha Kanyua had no children of her own and so she embraced motherhood by adopting her younger sister’s children, Alfred Mburia and Caroline, who remain her legacy.

The spread of Christianity in Chuka-Mwimbi took a significant leap in 1921 when the Church of Scotland Mission (CSM), active in Kenya since 1891, prepared to send its first European missionary to the region.

On October 9, 1922, Dr. Clive Irvine arrived at Chogoria, laying the foundation for a mission station and pioneering medical services. However, CSM’s presence in Chuka dated back to 1915, following recommendations by Rev. Dr. J.W. Arthur, famously known as the “Happy Worrier.” Under the leadership of two African converts, Daudi Makumi and Samsoni Maingi, the mission in Chuka took root, setting the stage for a new era of faith and transformation.

In the early 20th century, according to the Dictionary of African Christian Biography Christianity, was a foreign concept to the people of Chuka, met with scepticism and resistance. But one man, Ayub Mugo Njuki of Ndagani village, became the torchbearer of the new faith. Converted by Dr. Arthur, Ayub passionately spread Christianity, convincing Jerusha Kanyua, her husband Paul Njeru, Justo Kanampiu, and his wife, Bertha Kangai, to embrace it.

By the time Dr. Clive Irvine arrived in 1922, the Presbyterian mission had already gained traction. Dr. Irvine established the Chogoria CSM mission station and later founded Chogoria Mission Hospital, now one of Kenya’s largest faith-based hospitals. Meanwhile, the Catholic Consolata Fathers had already set up a mission at Kariakomo in 1911, marking the early days of Christianity in Tharaka Nithi County.

 A Doctor, Teacher and Prophetess

According to Ezekiel Mbogo, grandson to Jerusha Kanyua, says Jerusha Kanyua was a pillar of faith, a devoted Presbyterian, and a tireless evangelist who spread Christianity across Ndagani and beyond.

Undeterred by illiteracy, she memorised Bible verses and travelled long distances to preach in villages like Kibugua, Weru, Kiereni, and Kangutu. Her dedication led her to learn how to read the Bible fluently, especially after receiving formal education at Chogoria Hospital.

Beyond preaching, Jerusha was a passionate teacher, nurturing children in faith both at church and in their homes. Her wisdom and guidance earned her the title “Mwalimu” (teacher). She also led the Women’s Guild, where she empowered women in midwifery, cooking, crafts, and farming. A mentor to both men and women, she counselled families, prepared young women for marriage, and shaped countless lives. Elder Tiras Nthiga, who knew her well, described her as a “fortress and beacon of hope” in faith, family, and socio-economic matters.

In his book, The Presbyterian Church of East Africa, which was published in 1970, Macpherson R. says that in 1944, the Church of Scotland Mission (CSM) at Chogoria sponsored Jerusha for midwifery training at Tumutumu Mission Hospital in Nyeri, a journey of 94 kilometers through the dense and perilous Mount Kenya forest. Her discipline inspired young men to escort her on foot, ensuring her safety. After earning her certificate in 1946, she returned home, tirelessly travelling from village to village to assist expectant mothers, especially those far from Chogoria Hospital.

Alongside her medical work, she spread the Gospel, winning many to Christianity. Her compassion, skill, and devotion made her a beloved figure across Chuka, Embu, and Meru, drawing people from afar to seek her care and guidance. Jerusha was not only a skilled midwife but also a remarkable mobilizer.

According to Mercy Kaari, who is the granddaughter of Jerusha Kanyua says when Jerusha was faced with medical emergencies beyond her ex, expertise, she rallied villagers to craft makeshift stretchers and personally escorted patients on foot to Chogoria Hospital for specialised care, working tirelessly without pay. Her selfless service served to er the admiration of missionary doctors, including her mentor, Dr. Irvine, who awarded her a Diploma in Midwifery in 1948. Revered as “Dagitari” (Doctor) by locals, she became a household name across Upper Eastern Kenya.

Prof. Dickson Nkonge Kagema, an Associate Professor in Religious Studies and Theology at Chuka University, says that in the 1950s, she began prophesying, and on June 3, 1951, at PCEA Ndagani Church, she delivered a prophecy that continues to shape the lives of many today. She prophesied,

A huge mountain will spring in the village (Ndagani), big trees will sprout and grow very big, and form a wide shade. Then, birds from all over the world will come and land on these trees. People from all parts of the world will also come and cool themselves under the shade of these trees.

In 1953, when the colonial government established a concentration camp in Ndagani, many believed Jerusha’s prophecy had come true. But she refuted this, declaring her vision was one of prosperity, not oppression. She urged people to stay hopeful, insisting her prophecy would bring success, happiness, and transformation. What many didn’t realise was that Jerusha was foretelling the power of education—her greatest passion.

She tirelessly encouraged children and adults alike to pursue learning, believing it was the key to overcoming poverty, disease, and ignorance. To drive her message home, she even composed a song that became an anthem for education, inspiring generations to seek knowledge as their path to freedom.

The song went like this;

Karamu ni Itumo (A pen is a spear), Na mbuku ni Rong’o (And the book is a shield), Ita ya riu (Today’s war is won by waking up), and Iramukagwa Cukuru (Going to school).

Jerusha Kanyua was a visionary leader who saw education as the ultimate weapon against poverty, ignorance, and disease. She urged young people to wield a pen like a spear and a book like a shield, inspiring the establishment of key institutions in Ndagani, including schools, a polytechnic, and even an airstrip.

As these developments took shape, locals believed her prophecy—symbolised by a great mountain and birds—was coming true. However, it was the founding of Chuka University that truly cemented her legacy, fulfilling her vision in ways no one had imagined.

 Prof. Dickson Nkonge Kagema says that Egerton University initiated plans in 2004 to establish a campus in Eastern Kenya, and after extensive consultations, Chuka was chosen as the ideal location. The campus opened in 2005, became a constituent college in 2007, and achieved full university status in 2013 as Kenya’s ninth public university.

Today, with over 18,000 students from across the country and beyond, Chuka University is seen as the realisation of Jerusha’s prophecy—her "birds" finally gathering in Nrealisation remains a revered figure, celebrated as the spiritual matriarch of the institution and a symbol of education’s transformative power.

Jerusha Kanyua’s influence reshaped lives across Tharaka Nithi, Meru, and Embu counties, despite holding no formal leadership role in the PCEA. She championed a holistic gospel, blending faith with practical skills that empowered communities spiritually, socially, and economically.

Passionate about education, she urged youth and children to pursue schooling while training women in midwifery, cookery, and farming. Defying cultural norms, she became the first local woman to own a grade cow and embraced modern farming, rearing pigs, goats, and chickens while introducing new crops like mangoes. Her independence and wealth made her a respected figure, inspiring many to adopt new agricultural methods.

Her deep connection with the community ultimately saved her from the Mau Mau purge of colonial sympathisers. In 1953, when rebels planned to burn Ndagani School and Church, they hesitated upon finding Jerusha inside her modest hut.

Recognising her invaluable role as an intercessor and midwife, Gene recognised her life, fearing that without her, their women would suffer in childbirth. Interestingly, she became the only African Christian permitted to move freely, offering medical care, preaching, and tending to the wounded without fear of attack—further cementing her legacy as a protector and servant of the peo, le.

A Woman of Deep Faith.

According to Henry Migwi, an elder, Jerusha Kanyua was a woman of unshakable faith, always urging people to trust in God’s power. In 1964, after three years of drought had devastated Ndagani and much of Kenya, she called for a special prayer meeting for rain. On the appointed day, she arrived in a raincoat and mud boots, carrying an umbrella—astonishing the congregation with her unwavering belief.

She questioned why they hadn’t brought umbrellas if they truly had faith. As she led the prayer, the heavens opened, and heavy rain poured down. While others stood in awe, Jerusha simply reminded them to always be people of faith, for God never fails.

Her Death

According to the Dictionary of African Christian Biography, Jerusha Kanyua fell ill in the late 1960s and passed away in 1974 at around 102 years old, leaving behind an enduring legacy of faith and service.

In recognition of her impact, the PCEA declared her a saint in 1997 and named the church in Ndagani the Jerusha Kanyua Memorial Church. A devoted servant of Christ, she transformed lives across Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi, cementing her place as a spiritual matriarch whose influence still resonates today.