Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni. /MARY MUTHONI/X
As tree-hugging craze gains popularity across the country, Principal
Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, has
cautioned Kenyans to ensure they ascertain their medical condition before attempting the strenuous activity.
PS Muthoni noted that some individuals have been engaging in continuous
tree-hugging challenges for several days without adequate preparation.
She likened the tree-hugging challenge to marathon training, explaining that
even professional athletes spend one to three months preparing for
long-distance races before participating.
“You
have seen people have a huge mood to hug trees. People have started strenuous exercises
to hug trees. If you want to do the strenuous exercises, you must be checked if
you are medically fit,” she said.
“Even those who do marathons, they just don’t wake up and
ran 40 kilometers, they have to train every morning for one month to three
months. Some of you wake up and hug trees for five days,” she said.
The PS said the government is not against the initiative but those wishing to participate in it should take precaution to avert health complications.
“Even when you want to fast, you
are advised not to if you are sick. I want to advise you but the choice is
yours.”
PS Muthoni emphasised that physical fitness and medical readiness are
crucial to avoid health risks.
The PS also highlighted general health
precautions, advising the public to regularly wash their hands, drink warm
water to stay hydrated.
She said the advice is part of ongoing public
health efforts to encourage safe participation in physical activities while
minimising risks to well-being.
The challenge began when Tree Planting Ambassador Truphena Muthoni hugged a tree for 72 hours, igniting more than an endurance feat.
Truphena sparked a nationwide challenge that has seen Kenyans of all ages and backgrounds attempting to emulate her endurance marathon for causes ranging from health to peace and education.
Her sustained embrace of a tree outside the Nyeri County Governor’s office in December was a striking act of environmental advocacy and personal resilience, drawing crowds, official recognition and intense social media attention.
Her 72-hour tree hug, a feat she said was meant to highlight environmental conservation and reconnect Kenyans with nature, has become a symbol of grassroots climate activism.
The movement quickly transcended its original purpose.
In Murang’a, Pastor James (Jimmy) Irungu embarked on a grueling 80-hour tree-hugging challenge aimed at raising awareness about cancer.
Sadly, he collapsed at the 79-hour mark and was rushed to hospital with severe dehydration and developing multi-organ complications, including kidney failure, medical reports confirmed.
“I started this not for fame, but to make people see what families dealing with cancer go through,” Irungu said in the early hours of his attempt, surrounded by well-wishers who had gathered to support him.
But the physical toll proved too much.
“We underestimated the strain,” a volunteer medic later told local press.
In Nanyuki, Paul Kago, 43, also took up a prolonged tree-hugging vigil, this time for peace ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He planned to remain perched for 96 hours, but his body gave in less than a day into the challenge.
Rushed to Nanyuki Hospital with complications related to hunger and physical exhaustion, his attempt highlighted the risks of such extreme endurance stunts.