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The falling of a Mugumo tree in Nyeri, with the elections just a few months away, is creating shock waves in the land of the Agikuyu.
Among the Agikuyu, if a Mugumo tree falls in the forest, there is no cause for worry.
However, the community believes that if a fallen Mugumo was a shrine, then the resounding thud will be heard and felt by all, especially by the political leadership.
In 2013, during the run up to the General Election, a Mugumo tree fell at Ikumbo village in Giakanja area and elders from the revered Kiama kia Ma promptly declared that it was a sign that there would be a generational change in the country’s leadership.
Not long after, the prophecy came to pass when Jubilee Coalition leaders Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto won the March 2013 election, taking over from Mwai Kibaki, a complete generational change.
And yet again, so close to the election, another Mugumo tree has fallen in Mathira in Nyeri, causing fears of far-reaching changes in the political landscape. The tree is said to be at least a century old.
A majority of locals believe that President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto will maintain their hold on the country’s leadership. Some say the falling tree may just be an ordinary happening with has coincided with the pending elections.
But there is also chatter that perhaps Muthamaki should not sit pretty at State House.
It is not disputed that the fallen tree was sacred. According to Mzee Mathenge Wairegi, the charred bones which were extracted from the hollow sections of the tree are the remainders of burnt offerings.
Mathenge was part of a team of elders who toured the area to confirm that indeed the tree had fallen. Armed with a fly whisk and some potions in two gourds, melted snow water and a concoction of herbs from some 40 trees, Mathenge inspected the tree.
“The other one split into two before falling which, signified ituika - a change of guard. This signifies something different,” Mathenge said, adding that he knew what it portends, but remained tight-lipped on what people should expect.
