Amidst the quiet hum of Kiambu town, outside the office of Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi, a determined young woman stands, wrapped around a sprawling African fig tree. Her name is Cynthia Njeri Mburu, and at 18 years old, she has embarked on a solitary, symbolic protest that she hopes will resonate across the nation.
Cynthia, who hails from Kihumbuini village, Murang’a County, began her extraordinary fast and vigil on a quiet evening. Her goal is simple yet profound to hug this specific tree, locally known as a Mukuyu, for 168 consecutive hours – seven days and seven nights – without food.
“My name is Cynthia Njeri Mburu, I come from Kihumbuini village in Muranga county. I am here for a reason, which is to hold this tree,” Cynthia shared, her voice holding a steady resolve despite the long hours ahead. “I will be holding it for 168 hours, which is seven days. I started yesterday at 8 pm.”
The chosen tree holds historical and symbolic significance for Cynthia. She traces its meaning back to Kenya’s freedom fighters. “This tree is called Mukuyu. I am holding onto it because, as we learned about the Mau Mau, Dedan Kimathi, and Jomo Kenyatta, they were freedom fighters against British colonialism. They fought for the country, and I also want to fight for our country. For Gen Z, because things are not going well where we are right now.”
A central element of Cynthia’s protest is deep respect for national symbols. “I want to tell Gen Z of Kenya, here in Kiambu, first and foremost, we must respect the Kenyan flag. That is the first thing,” she emphasized.
When asked about the exact motivation driving her actions, she explained, “Holding the tree should take 72 hours, but I am adding four days for the Kenyan flag, for peace in Kenya.”
Cynthia’s message is directly addressed to President William Ruto and the nation’s leadership. “I want to tell Ruto: let our people coexist in peace, let Kenya stay peaceful. No more suffering,” she pleaded.
The physical and mental demands of a seven-day fast and round-the-clock vigil are monumental. However, Cynthia remains undeterred by concerns about her well-being. “I won’t be eating while holding the tree to show respect for the flag,” she stated.
To the question of whether she can endure the entire week, her response was unwavering: “Yes, I will be able to, and I will finish.”
Cynthia admits she has not undergone specific mental, physical, or health-wise preparation for this endurance test, contrasting with similar, sometimes problematic, scenarios documented in the past. Nevertheless, she draws strength from a peculiar form of mental training. “Mentally and physically, that is obvious to me, because even when I’m at home, I can lock myself indoors for up to one week, although holding the tree is my first time.”
Her choice of Kiambu County over her home county of Murang’a or others like Nyeri was strategic. “I had thought about it. The challenge was finding this tree; it’s hard to come by in our area. I had visited Kiambu before, saw this tree here at the governor’s office, and that’s why my thoughts went back to it, knowing this is where it is located.”
Ultimately, the goal is peace. “I’m doing this so we as Kenyans can live in peace, to advocate for peace.”
Cynthia’s silent protest was initially uninterrupted, but she was eventually noticed. “Yesterday when I came here to start, there was no one, but after two minutes a soja [security guard] came and saw me, then they called a police officer, that’s when they knew.”
The response from the authorities has been hands-off. “One police officer told me it’s okay, they will be checking on me, but they haven’t come back to check since they left. There are people who were coming here and checking on me.”
The long, potentially daunting night did not frighten her. “I was not scared because there were people checking on me, and I felt they were good people, they were here until 5 am.”
Cynthia undertook this protest alone, without informing her family. “No one at home knows, you don’t always have to tell everyone everything.”
Having completed her education and not currently in school, Cynthia is also looking towards her future beyond the seven-day vigil. While not seeking a traditional job like a house help, she has high hopes for support from local leadership to nurture her creativity. “I would like to tell the Governor of Kiambu to help me, as I am talented and would like him to help me cultivate it. I have talents in rapping, composing poems, refilling, and I am from the ghetto.”
The determination of this young woman from Kihumbuini village, holding vigil at the Mukuyu tree, sends a powerful, peaceful message to Kenya’s youth and leadership about the urgent need for peace and recognition. Her 168-hour endurance test is a testament to the depth of her convictions.
