The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) on Tuesday, January 31, announced that the construction of the railway station in Kiambu County would not interfere with the Mugumo tree.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, January 31, KRC stated that it would invite experts to carry out the environmental assessment for the proposed project in a bid to spare the sacred tree.
Additionally, the corporation confirmed plans to continue with the construction of the railway station in Gitaru area.
“We are currently carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed project where stakeholders will be invited to give their views on the issue.
“Kindly note that we will not interfere with the Mugumo tree on site, contrary to what has been published in various media,” Kenya Railways stated.
Furthermore, the corporation stated that it was committed to pursuing sustainable development.
The corporation issued the statement a day after elders from Kabete on Monday, January 30, protested the construction of the railway station, appealing to the transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to divert a railway line from their village.
The elders performed traditional prayers and rituals as a way of securing the tree from harm by the state-owned corporation.
Owing to the traditional significance of the tree, the elders asked the Kenya Kwanza government to honour the local culture by preserving the sacred tree.
Additionally, they warned of unspecified consequences should the tree be interfered with during the construction.
Traditionally, the giant Mugumo trees were used as places of worship by traditional religious leaders, especially from the Agikuyu community that dominates the Mt Kenya region.
Elders noted that cutting down Mugumo trees was a taboo since it amounted to the destruction of a place of worship.
