Residents of Kericho were left shocked on Thursday evening after a huge indigenous Simotwet tree suddenly collapsed in the town center just hours before the burial of Johanna Ng'eno.
The towering tree, believed by locals to have stood in the area for many generations, fell near the busy Kipchimatt Roundabout late in the afternoon.
Witnesses said they first heard a loud cracking sound before the giant trunk came crashing down with a powerful impact that echoed across nearby streets.
When the dust settled, the tree had landed directly on a parked saloon car, crushing the roof and shattering several windows. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
People who were in nearby shops and pedestrians walking along the road quickly ran to safety as large branches spread across part of the road leading toward the county headquarters.
Within minutes, curious residents gathered around the scene. Many took photos and videos of the fallen tree, which quickly circulated across social media platforms.
For some locals, the moment carried a deeper meaning because of its timing. The incident happened on the eve of the burial of the late legislator, who reportedly died on February 28 in a helicopter crash in Nandi County.
In some Kalenjin cultural beliefs, the sudden fall of a very old tree is sometimes interpreted as a symbolic moment connected to the passing of a respected leader. Because of this, many residents described the event as unusual and emotionally significant.
As images of the incident spread online, some social media users called the timing eerie, while others said it reminded them of stories told by elders about nature reflecting moments of communal grief.
Later in the evening, county workers together with youth volunteers arrived at the scene and began clearing the huge branches blocking the road. After several hours of work, the road was reopened and traffic resumed as normal.
Despite the cleanup, groups of residents remained near the area discussing the incident and sharing their thoughts about the unusual event.
Whether it was simply a coincidence or something symbolic, the fallen Simotwet tree quickly became a major talking point across Kericho as the region prepared to say its final farewell to one of its prominent political leaders.
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