Residents of Kiambaa watch a Mugumo tree which has cracked. Photo/the-star.co.ke
A Mugumo tree is about to fall in Kiambu county only a few days after another Mugumo fell in Nyeri.
The second Mugumo, which has cracked and has all signs of coming down, is at Mukuyu village in Kiambaa.
According to Kikuyu culture, a Mugumo is a sacred tree which has repercussions on the community.
As such, the falling of the sacred symbol has not passed the community. Locals in Nyeri, where the first Mugumo fell three days ago, and those of Kiambaa are discussing the development in low tones.
As you walk towards the falling Mugumo in Mukuyu, residents are in groups whispering to each other as they stare at the tree with worried faces.
“This is a sacred tree and no one can cut its branches, nor can its branches be used as firewood,”
“God is angry and people need to seek forgiveness,” an elder, Peter Kamau, told a local paper.
There are fears also as a section of Mt Kenya voters are interpreting the happenings politically.
“When Uhuru was coming to power, a Mugumo fell to signify the change of guard from Kibaki to Uhuru,” Njiru Munyua said.
Munyua adds that there are worries these falling Mugumo’s might be a caution that an end to ‘Kikuyu rule’ is coming.
Kenya has had three ‘Kikuyu presidents’ and one ‘Kalenjin president’.