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Mbeere man gets job promise in Dubai after breaking 90-hour tree-hugging challenge
12th January, 2026 07:34 PM
Mbeere North Member of Parliament (MP) Leonard Muthende has moved to reward the extraordinary bravery of Eric Munene Macharia by securing him a job in Dubai after the Ciambugu resident completed a historic 90-hour tree-hugging protest.
Munene, who comes from Ciambugu in Nthawa Ward, hugged a towering tree at Ciambugu market on Thursday last week at 5:00 pm and refused to come down until the government listened to his people’s cries for a health facility, better roads and improved social services.
By Monday, January 12, 2025, Munene had reached the 90-hour mark, triggering emotional scenes as residents burst into cheers, prayers, and tears, celebrating a man who had pushed his body to the limit for his community.
Speaking after Munene completed the daring mission, MP Muthende described the act as one of the most courageous and selfless protests ever witnessed in Mbeere North.
“Eric Munene Macharia ‘Mwakilishi’ from Ciambugu has today marked an extraordinary 90 hours of hugging a tree in a bold and courageous call for development in his area,” Muthende said.
The legislator noted that Munene’s peaceful mission was driven by what he called three urgent needs for the people of Ciambugu and Nthawa. “His mission was driven by three urgent needs of his people: a health facility, a school, and the tarmacking of the Kimangaru–Ena BAT road,” Muthende stated.
Muthende assured residents that Munene’s protest had not fallen on deaf ears, revealing that some of the demands are already being addressed.
“I am pleased to report that some of these concerns are already being addressed, while the rest are firmly captured in ongoing and planned national and county government programmes for Nthawa and the larger Ciambugu area,” he said.
Muthende announced that he had secured an overseas job for the brave activist.
“I am deeply moved by Munene’s bravery and selfless sacrifice in standing up for his community. In recognition of his courage and determination, I have organised a job for him in Dubai,” Muthende declared.
The MP said the opportunity would give Munene a chance to rebuild his life and support his young family with dignity.
“He will be able to support himself and his family with dignity,” Muthende said, adding that the move was meant to empower, not just praise, the courageous resident.
Muthende went further to promise that Munene would not be left to struggle with logistics or medical bills after his physically draining protest, assuring that he would personally facilitate his travel and all related logistics and all hospital bills where he’s being checked.
Residents of Ciambugu and the wider Nthawa area welcomed the announcement with excitement, saying Munene’s sacrifice had finally attracted the attention their long-neglected region needed.
