Among the Agikuyu, Ngai is the creator who made everything. In the beginning, Ngai, which also means sky, was one with the earth and owned all the cattle that lived on it. But one day the earth and sky separated, so that Ngai was no longer among men.

Ngai is a unique and omnipotent God who cannot be seen but is manifested in the sun, moon, stars, comets and meteors, thunder and lightning, rain etc. The Agikuyu community has a close relationship with spiritual entities and believe they are influenced by the supernatural at all times

Lightning is viewed as a visible representation of God, which he uses to warn his people ahead of his coming in order that they prepare the way. This comes from the belief that Ngai comes to earth from time to time to inspect, bestow blessings and give punishment. Thunder is interpreted to be the movement of God from one sacred place to another. 

Thanks to Professor Ratemo Michieka from Kenya who provided a rich talk on lightning myths that was presented in January at the American Meteorological Society meeting in Phoenix. You will be reading more from his notes in coming months!