Tatu City has unveiled a unique sculpture of the sacred Mugumo tree at the heart of its 5,000-acre Special Economic Zone near Nairobi.
The stone artwork, created by internationally acclaimed Kenyan artist Gerard Motondi, was officially launched in a ceremony led by the Gikuyu Cultural Association. The Mugumo tree holds deep spiritual significance among the Kikuyu community, serving for generations as a site of prayer, ritual, and ancestral connection.
Carved from a 24-tonne stone sourced from Ndalani Mine in Machakos and reduced to 13 tonnes, the sculpture features three rising pillars designed to reflect the trunk of a Mugumo tree. According to Tatu City, the work represents a balance between cultural tradition and modern innovation.
“The Mugumo tree is not just sacred, it is a witness to our heritage,” said Martin Kiarie, Kikuyu elder and City Operations Manager at Tatu City. “In many towns, culture is erased in the name of progress. But at Tatu City, we have shown that honouring tradition and embracing the future can go hand in hand.”
Njoroge Wa Mugo, National Vice Chairman of the Gikuyu Cultural Association, described the sculpture as “a lasting tribute to our heritage and traditions,” noting that it reflects the deep roots and values of the community.
The unveiling builds on Tatu City’s earlier initiatives to preserve cultural and environmental heritage. In 2020, the developer established the Mugumo Tree Heritage Park, while thousands of indigenous trees across the city have been preserved or translocated to green spaces instead of being cut down.
The sculpture will be a permanent feature at Tatu Plaza, a central green space within Tatu Central, surrounded by retail, residential, and business developments.
Tatu City, one of seven cities developed by Rendeavour, hosts more than 25,000 people daily and has attracted over KES 400 billion in investments from more than 100 local and international businesses.
