Wangu wa Makeri was born in the second half of the nineteenth century into traditional Gikuyu society. She underwent customary rites and married. In 1901, she was appointed the 'headman' of Weithaga Location, the first and only female headman of the entire colonial period. The author outlines her character and background, and the kind of leadership Wangu showed her community; and discusses to what extent the stereotypical portrayals of her as a leader - as a whore or personification of evil - are true. The study also assesses the significance in her fall from power of the conflict between traditional society and the colonial political framework within which Wangu worked, as against her own role in her downfall.