Wanga Kingdom was located in western Kenya among the Abaluyia.  This was the only such state with a hereditary ruler (Nabongo) and a centralised monarchy in the whole of modern Kenya.

The known history of the Kingdom itself dates from the time of the settlement of the ancestors of the following Abaluyia clans on Imanga Hill:

1. Abamuhima,
   
2. Abamelembwa,
   
3. Abanashiene,
   
4. Abaleka and
   
5. Abatobe.

Imanga lies about four miles to the south of Mumias across the River Lusimu. By about twelve generations ago, that is 1598 - 1625, Imanga was already settled by the founders of these clans.

Whereas the Abamuyima are an offshoot of the Pastoral Hima of western Uganda, the Abaleka seem to have lived off from the Balega of Toro and neighbouring Congo.

The rest were of Kalenjin origin.  However, all five were ruled by Muhima (or Liya;) of the Abamuhima clan, who were thus the dominant group in the small state of Imanga.

Between 1544 and 1652, another group of settlers arrived under the leadership of Wanga.  These gave rise to the present clans of the Abashitsetse, Abakolwe, Abashikao, Abakalibo, Ababuka and Abarunga to mention but a few.

The Abashitsetse, who were founded by Wanga, are the traditional ruling clan: whose earliest ancestors are believed to have come originally from the North from somewhere between Lake Rudolf (Turkana) and Karamoja.

They traveled from there to Buganda, around 15^th or 16^th  Century.  They settled  for sometime in the region of modern Kampala  and then split up into three groups. One went to Busoga, another to western Kenya and the third remained in Buganda.

It was the group which moved into western Kenya that eventually settled in the Tirik location of Buluyia, from where Wanga and his companions moved to Imanga.

Later, in the 19^th Century, more settlers arrived from Gem (Abamuswa and Abamani), Buholo, Bukhayo (Abatura) and Alego (Ababongo).

The arrival of Wanga and his people led to a number of significant developments: first Wanga deposed Muhima the ruler of the small state of Imanga and declared himself ruler.  This was the beginning of a new dynasty the Abashitsetse that still flourishes to this day.

Secondly, Wanga gave his name to the country over which he ruled. Thus the country became known as Wanga and the inhabitants as Abawanga.

Thirdly, these changes were coupled with an increase in population due to the arrival of new settlers; a territorial expansion which eventually included Musanda of the South and Matungu in North Wanga; and a reorganization, extension and centralization of the government.

A centralised monarchy, a bigger state and a new dynasty were thus the most important consequences of the immigration of Wanga's people.

This eventful period was followed by a phase on the life of the Wanga Kingdom which saw a number of succession disputes, civil wars, intrigues and attempts to break away from centralised control.

For instance, about the end of the 17^th Century, Wanga's son, Wabala, established a minor rival state at Ekhatol.  However, the second half of the 18^th Century witnessed greater activity and the consolidation of the state.

Chief Wamukoya Netya, who resigned from about 1760 to 1787, successfully united the Wanga sections on the left and right banks of the River Nzoia with those at Imanga.

The Wanga were frequently attacked by the Teso, the Luo of Ugenya and Abaluyia off Bukusu, Idakho and Bunyala

Although they caused considerable damage to the state in terms of livestock, crops, homesteads and human life , these raids helped to cement and consolidate the Kingdom.

Feeling the need for powerful allies to fight off these raids, Wamukoya Netya enlisted the aid of some of the Uasin Gishu Masai, who settled in the area about this time. The Masai fought side by side with the Abawanga.  This was a source of strength although the Masai leaders murdered him in revenge.

Osundwa, who succeeded his father on 1787, was able to win the friendship and loyalty of the Masai which was good for the protection of his Kingdom.  Osundwa also befriended the neighbouring Abaluyia of Butsotso and more remarkably, attempted to stamp out witchcraft.  He even succeeded in checking the advance of the Luo of Ugenya.

The first half of the 19^th Century was one of the most difficult periods on the history of the Kingdom; the reign of Wamukoya.  The Kingdom was threatened with serious famine, civil wars, external attacks and secessionist moves.  Kweyu Wamukoya's brother established the separatist state of Wanga Mukulu.

Indeed there was so much insecurity and fear that women could neither fetch water unescorted nor work in the fields without protection

For some years, the two brothers (Kweyu and Wamukoya) and their subjects were involved in the usual intrigues, conspiracies and intermittent civil war.

It was not until their death that peace returned to the country; largely due to the spirit of peaceful co-existence adopted by their successors.   Shiundu succeeded to his father's throne in Wanga proper while his cousin Sakwa succeeded to that of the secessionist Wanga Mukulu.

The reign of Shiundu, which lasted from about 1841 to 1882, witnessed many changes, both good and bad. He was the last effective ruler of independent Wanga.  He allied with the Marama who proved to be valuable source of military support.

He successfully subordinated the people of Kisa and Buholo who therefore, fought alongside his own warriors and paid him tribute in return for his protection.

Finally, during this period, Swahili coastal traders arrived in Wanga where Shiundu warmly received

They even built their headquarters in his capital of Elureko (Mumias), from where they carried on their trading activities in the neighborhood, particularly in Bukusu to the North.

The acquisition of new military weapons revolutionized local warfare to Shiundus advantages and the establishment of a trading centre by coastal traders considerably added to the fame of the state as customers came there from distant lands.  The trade also enriched the ruler and his subjects.

Nevertheless, Shiundu's reign witnessed one of the greatest disasters in the kingdom's history.  For it was during this period that the Luo of Ugenya permanently occupied their present settlements in Southern Wanga.

It should be pointed out that it was the mounting pressure from the Luo which led to internal integration, for when the Wanga who lived in the neighborhood of Mumias said that their countrymen at Wanga  were hard pressed by the Luo of Ugenya, they united to go their aid.

 Political organisation

 

 

The economic organisation of the Wanga