Kakamega lady rocking same braids as Truphena launches tree-hugging challenge
By Steve Ireri, January 16, 2026A woman from Kakamega County has launched her own tree-hugging endurance challenge, drawing attention online after emerging with the same braided hairstyle popularised by environmental activist Truphena Muthoni.
Speaking in a video shared on TikTok on Friday, January 16, 2026, the woman, identified as Caroline Munjalu and who has adopted the nickname Truphena 2, announced that she has embarked on a 73-hour tree-hugging challenge aimed at highlighting pressing social and health issues affecting Kenyan communities.
Although she hails from Kakamega, she disclosed that she is currently residing in Nyeri, where she commenced the endurance feat.
“I am Caroline Munjalu, and my nickname is Truphena 2. I am from Kakamega, but I am currently staying in Nyeri,” she said.
According to Caroline, the challenge is primarily intended to raise awareness about youth unemployment, which she described as a persistent crisis that continues to lock out many young people from meaningful opportunities.
She noted that by remaining physically rooted to the tree for several days, she hopes to draw public and institutional attention to the struggles faced by jobless youths across the country.
“I have decided to hug this tree for 73 hours. I am hugging this tree to raise awareness about youth unemployment,” she said.
Beyond unemployment, Caroline explained that her campaign is also focused on sensitising the public about sickle cell anaemia, a condition she said disproportionately affects children in the Coastal region, Nyanza, Western Kenya and densely populated urban areas.
She lamented that treatment for the disease remains prohibitively expensive for many families, placing a heavy financial burden on households already grappling with limited resources.
“and also to highlight sickle cell anaemia, a disease affecting children from the Coastal region, Nyanza, Western Kenya, and mostly urban areas,” she said.
She further appealed to the government to intervene by reducing taxes on medication used to manage sickle cell anaemia, arguing that lower costs would significantly improve access to treatment for affected patients.
“The medication for this disease is very expensive, so I am asking the government to consider reducing the tax on it,” she said.
Caroline revealed that the cause is deeply personal to her, disclosing that her own sister is living with the condition, a reality that motivated her to take up the physically demanding challenge.
“My sister is also suffering from sickle cell anaemia, which makes this cause very personal to me,” she said.
Govt’s warning
Caroline’s challenge comes just a day after the Ministry of Health cautioned members of the public against engaging in strenuous activities such as prolonged tree hugging without proper medical check-ups and physical preparation.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni raised alarm over what she termed a worrying trend, noting that some individuals have collapsed and ended up in hospital after hugging trees for long periods.
Speaking in Ngiriambu, Gichugu constituency in Kirinyaga County, on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Muthoni added that proper preparation and rehearsal are also critical.
“Tree hugging may look harmless, but when done for long hours, it becomes a strenuous physical activity that can pose serious health risks. We have recorded cases of people being rushed to the hospital after collapsing, yet these incidents could have been avoided,” Muthoni said.
The PS emphasised that individuals should first undergo medical examinations to rule out underlying health conditions before engaging in such activities.
“Before you subject your body to any demanding exercise, it is important to know your health status. Some people have hidden conditions that can easily lead to loss of life when the body is overstretched,” she warned.
“You can not wake up and decide to engage in strenuous activity without training. The body must be prepared gradually to avoid serious complications,” she said.