Tree-hugging challenge reaches Nanyuki as man launches elusive 72-hour feat

Another Kenyan has joined the growing wave of tree-hugging endurance campaigns, marking him as the fourth participant in the viral phenomenon that has swept the country in the last few weeks.

Paul Kago, who hails from Namuria village in Nanyuki, began hugging a tree at Nanyuki Central Park at 1 pm on Friday, January 9, 2026, and plans to remain rooted until 1 pm on Monday, January 12, 2026.

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Speaking about the challenge in a video shared on TikTok by user @Abistar Studios Nanyuki on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Paul revealed that his continuous 72-hour effort is aimed at promoting peace ahead of the 2027 elections.

“My name is Paul Kago, and I am hugging a tree at Nanyuki Central Park, and my village is Namuria, and I am doing this challenge to promote peace for the 2027 elections, so I started on Friday at 1 pm, and I will end on Monday at 1 pm,” he said.

He explained that during the period of the campaign, he will abstain from eating and will refrain from using the toilet until he completes the endeavour.

Kago emphasised that his motivation stems from a desire to advocate for unity and harmony ahead of the forthcoming elections, noting that the effort is designed to attract attention to the importance of peace in political discourse.

“The hours will make it a four-day challenge, and during this time I will not eat anything and I will also not be using the toilet until I complete the challenge,” he shared.

The Nanyuki initiative follows a series of high-profile tree-hugging campaigns that have captured national attention in recent months.

Environmental activist Truphena Muthoni successfully completed a 72-hour tree-hugging marathon in Nyeri County in December 2025, breaking her own previous record and using her campaign to highlight environmental conservation, climate change, and mental health awareness.

Her efforts earned widespread recognition from environmental groups and the wider public.

Stephen Gachanja, another Kenyan participant, commenced his campaign on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, aiming to hug a tree for a total of 50 hours.

He completed the challenge on Friday, January 9, 2025, with his parents present to provide support as he endured the physical and mental strain of the effort.

Gachanja abstained from food and drink throughout the period and maintained his commitment to complete the full duration, noting that public encouragement had been instrumental in sustaining his resolve.

The trend was initially popularised by Pastor Jimmy Irungu, who undertook an 80-hour tree-hugging campaign starting on Sunday, January 4, 2026, to raise awareness about cancer as a growing public health concern.

The ex-JCM pastor, who is also a gospel singer, highlighted the financial and emotional burden that cancer places on families and urged both government and private sector stakeholders to prioritise cancer prevention and treatment.

His challenge ended dramatically during the seventy-ninth hour when he collapsed and was rushed to Murang’a Level 5 Hospital for medical attention.