This archive report was first published on 29 June 2021.
Located in the heart of Murang'a County, the Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga shrine is a revered site for the Agikuyu community. On June 29, 2021, the shrine made headlines after National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi was coronated as the spokesman of the Mt Kenya region.
At the center of the shrine lies the Mukoe tree, a cross-pollination of Muhumo and Mukuyu trees. According to an instructor at the shrine, the tree's unique features are a result of its natural growth, with a 'full-blown female organ' visible on the right side and a 'male organ' on the left.
'As can be seen, the tree's anatomy is a testament to nature's wonders,' the instructor explained to K24. The instructor also revealed that the tree has healing properties, with its juice said to cure various ailments, including loss of appetite.
Reportedly, the juice from the tree can also mend broken marriages, with the instructor claiming that 'two glasses of the tree's juice will yield positive results.' The tree's significance extends beyond its healing properties, as it is said to be the site where Gikuyu and Mumbi, the founders of the Agikuyu community, met.
