LUANDA MAGERE 1720 - 1780TAPKUTUNY c1762- ? By Barmoiben Kipkemoi Araap Korir The Tale Of A Mighty Luo Warrior Brought Down By A Kalenjin Damsel.This is the story deep cover intelligence of the 18th century. In Kalenjinland, a series of spys called Segeeik carried out intelligence gathering before a big raid was done. The biggest spy story in Kalenjin history is, Tapkutuny, the lady who brought down the giant Luanda magere. Luanda Magere was a giant. The Goliath of western Kenya. He was 9ft tall, weighed nearly 300kgs. He was born c1720 to Abonyo Wuod Omolo and mother Nyabera. His name means fierce rock. Due to his huge size, His mother died during his birth and was therefore taken care of by his grandmother Rapondi. His father died in one of the numerous wars with their Kalenjin neighbours when Magere was barely a teenager. He belonged to the Sidho clan in Kano, in the shores of the Lake Victoria. The Sidho clan occupies the present sugar belt around Chemelil at the foot of the Nandi escarpment. When Luanda enteredt warriorhood, he changed the dynamics of the battles of western Kenya. He was possessed of unearthly powers, and his flesh was made of stone. Kalenjin Arrows, spears and clubs simply deflected from his body, making him invincible during war. He was famously known for his capability to tear an entire army apart alone.The name “Luanda Magere” could variously mean “the rock that builds”, “the rock on which I shall build” or “the fierce rock”.The Luo traditional enemies at the time were the jo Lang'o (the Luo name for the Kalenjin Community ( Nandi and Kipsigis ). Jo Lango means the people of the hillAfter sometime, the Lang'o were tired of being ambushed at war by the Luanda magere. Magere would throw any battle plan into dissaray. The Kalenjin elders sat to discuss the issue and came to a conclusion that what was required was not brawn but brains.They came up with an ingenious plan where they would give Luanda Mager.