A tree along the Nyeri-Nanyuki Highway has become synonymous with suicide deaths after 26 people reportedly hang themselves on the tree.
The tree located in Nyeri's Kiganjo Forest is commonly referred to as "Muthigi" by locals who have witnessed the tragic deaths in a span of seven years.
"Since 2010, I have seen at least 26 bodies of people who hanged themselves here.
"People come from different places to end their lives here. There is another tree a few metres from here where some hang themselves," Ms Francisca Kirigo told the Daily Nation.
[caption caption="Nyeri resident shows Nation journalists the Muthigi tree where 26 people have committed suicide"]
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The latest casualty has been Mr David Muriuki who travelled from Kirinyaga County and ended his life at the tree on August 16.
Police investigating the incident suspect that Mr Muriuki might have been mentally ill.
Religious leaders have held prayers at the site along with cleansing ceremonies, believing that the tree is haunted.
Residents of the area, who have sought to cut down the tree, have been barred from doing so as authorities contend that it is superstitious and irrelevant since those who want to take their own lives would do it somewhere else.
