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‘Go finish it’ – Mosiria urges Jimmy Irungu after fainting during 80-hour tree-hugging challenge
08th January, 2026 09:48 AM
Nairobi’s Citizen Engagement and Customer Service CEC Geoffrey Mosiria has urged Murangú-based Pastor Jimmy Irungu to recover and complete the remaining hour of his 80-hour tree-hugging challenge after the cancer awareness advocate fainted during the 79th hour.
While replying to a social media post on Thursday, January 8, 2026, that had published about his fainting, Mosiria wished him a quick recovery and praised Irungu for his dedication and resilience.
According to Mosiria, Irungu has to complete his 80-hour tree-hugging challenge.
“Congratulations, boy child, you represented us. Get well soon and go finish the remaining time. Lazima tumalize,” Mosiria wrote.
Mosiria’s expectations
He also outlined his expectations of how the pastor would be treated after attempting the challenge.
“Congratulations boy child, you represented us well. Next ni statehouse invite, then tuende Dubai. Let’s wait and see how boychild will be treated,” he said.
Irungu’s failed challenge
He was expected to complete the 80-hour challenge on Thursday, January 8, at 5:27 am, just an hour after the incident.
Reasons behind it
“Today, I am going to be embarking on an 80-hour challenge to raise awareness about cancer. Cancer has become a tragedy. I know that even the viewers know of someone, even in their family, who might have been affected by cancer,” he said during an interview with Kikuyu YouTuber Paxson Chege Ngunya on January 4, 2026.
He further emphasised the connection between environmental safety and cancer prevention, cautioning against the use of chemically treated animal feeds and contaminated food products.
“It is my appeal to the government and relevant private institutions to rise and fight against this illness. The reason why I have decided to hug a tree, which many people have been criticising me for saying it was Truphena’s idea and which is actually true, is this,” he said
“This is to show you that if we can be mindful and take care of what surrounds us, then we can fight cancer. For example, when you feed your cow feed that has chemicals, and then the butcher sells that meat to you later, these chemicals can cause cancer. If we take care of what is around us, then that can be the start of fighting cancer. Let us fight this cancer together.”
Speaking to the media on Monday, January 5, 2026, Irungu dismissed claims that he was seeking fame or records, saying his motivation was deeply personal and rooted in concern for public health.
“Niliamua ku hugg mti kwa sababu ya ugonjwa wa cancer. Ugonjwa wa cancer umekuwa ukisumbua watu sana na kumaliza watu wengi,” he said.
Irungu explained that cancer has silently become one of the deadliest diseases in the country, forcing families to exhaust their savings in search of treatment abroad.
“Watu wamekua wakienda India kupata matibabu. Nikaamua nikuje hapa kwa mti kwa masaa eighty ili tuonyeshe ya kwamba huu ugonjwa ni hatari,” he added.
