Elders from the Kikuyu community on Tuesday April 16, 2024 performed rituals after a sacred mugumo tree fell and blocked the Kanunga/Banana road due to the ongoing heavy rains in the region.

Kikuyu Elders allied to Kiama Ki’ama conducted  a cleansing ceremony before Kiambu fire department cut down the tree to allow the road to be passable.

It will now take 9 days for the elders to return and do a thorough cleansing ceremony in a bid to remove bad omen that could later cause trouble.

The elders warned area residents of using the branches of the Mugumo tree as firewood saying it may cause a curse on them.

According to Kikuyu culture, falling of a Mugumo tree is considered a bad omen and it may signify the end of an era.

After the sacred tree fell, motorists were forced to take longer alternative routes to their destinations.

Meanwhile, Shamte Munyua, the Kiama Kia Ma chairman in Kiambu County disclosed that elders were glad the tree did not hurt anyone or fall on passing vehicles.

“This is the grace of God as no one was harmed due to the falling of the tree,” Munyua said.

“Mugumo tree is not planted by anyone and it lives upto over 500 years and when it falls since it used to be the shrine for the elders, we must come and establish why it has fallen and pray to God so that nothing befalls the community,” he added.

He further explained that a mugumo tree is usually supported by many other trees growing up together as one tree which makes it almost impossible to fall.

In addition, another elder Kimani wa Kuria known as Muthamaki said that it was necessary for the elders to perform rituals at the scene, since the tree is considered a shrine where rituals are usually performed.

“The Kikuyu elders were using the Mugumo tree as their church and no one would play with the tree,” Kimani said.