Lari Constituency: History
The name Lari is derived from the Maasai language meaning "the place of green grass". During the 19th century Lari was a reserve grazing ground for the Maasai Community, with pasture available throughout the year. The Maasai would frequent the area, which is located at the foot of the Great Rift Valley to graze their cattle during the dry season.
Lari Constituency was created in 1966 after the first Kenyan Senate and House of representatives merged to form the National Assembly. The constituency was established as a special seat for the then Kiambu Senator J M Koinange. He was made the first Lari MP with no elections being held.
Lari features prominently in the history of Kenya's fight for independence. On 26 March 1953, Mau Mau combatants attacked and killed about 100 loyalists in the area in what came to be known as the 'Night of the long Knives'/ mûito wa Lari. Among the fatalities were Chief Luka, a local chieftain, and 97 other loyalists, including 13 members of Chief Luka's immediate family.
This attack was followed by retaliation from colonial troops (including the King's African Rifles), with revenge attacks on the local population that killed about 400 people. Many of these people were buried in Kereita Forest, which is the site of a mass grave.