Kyari became Shehu of Borno in 1893 when the country was invaded by Rabih az-Zubayr. One of his first acts was to kill his predecessor and uncle Ashimi of Borno.^[1]

He set to reconquer Kukawa already occupied by Rabih az-Zubayr but was captured during the battle. According to oral tradition, his last words for Rabih were

Tell this giant of a slave that if I had captured him I would not have asked him anything, I would have killed him on the spot. Let him not ask me any further questions. If he has anything to do, let him^[2]

• Rabih az-Zubayr

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