Another Kenyan Hugs Trees
Another Kenyan has kicked off his own tree-hugging challenge, inspired by the notable efforts of Pastor Jimmy Irungu and environmental activist Truphena Muthoni, whose recent campaigns have really caught the nation’s eye.
In a TikTok video shared on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Stephen Gachanja, the Kenyan behind this initiative, shared that he started hugging the tree on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, and he’s set a goal to stay connected to it for a total of 50 hours.
“My name is Stephen Gachanja. I began hugging the tree yesterday, and I am aiming to do 50 hours. I am now 16 hours into the feat,” he said.
He shared that at the moment he was speaking, he was already 16 hours into the challenge. He also mentioned that his parents were there with him, providing support as he tackled this physically tough endeavor.
“And my parents have been here helping me,” he shared.
Gachanja described the experience as really tough and mentally exhausting, but he insisted that he’s still hanging in there despite the discomfort. He mentioned that people from the public have been cheering him on as the hours go by, although he confessed he’s not sure if this challenge will catch on and go viral online.
“The experience has been tough, but I am still going. People are encouraging me, but about going viral, I do not know yet,” he said.
He went on to share that he won’t be eating or drinking for the entire 50-hour challenge. He emphasized that he plans to hold off on any food or fluids until he crosses the finish line, and mentioned that he still had almost 34 hours left at that moment.
“I am not eating or drinking for the 50 hours, and I do not plan to do either. Now, there are almost 34 hours to go,” he shared.
His challenge comes on the heels of Pastor Jimmy Irungu’s highly publicized 80-hour tree-hugging campaign, which took a dramatic turn when the preacher collapsed during the 79th hour and had to be rushed to Murang’a Level 5 Hospital for medical care.
Pastor Jimmy kicked off his endurance challenge on Sunday, January 4, 2026, as part of a campaign aimed at raising awareness about cancer, which he described as a growing tragedy impacting countless families in Kenya.
Throughout the challenge, the pastor—who also happens to be a gospel singer—shared that his motivation stemmed from the alarming rise in cancer cases across the nation and the heavy financial burden they impose on families seeking treatment, often forcing them to travel abroad for care.
He took this opportunity to urge both government officials and private sector leaders to recognize cancer as a public health emergency that demands immediate action and ongoing awareness efforts.
“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,” he said during an interview with Kikuyu YouTuber Paxson Chege Ngunya.
The recent surge in tree-hugging activism can be traced back to the incredible accomplishments of Truphena Muthoni. In December 2025, she made headlines by completing a grueling 72-hour tree-hugging marathon in Nyeri County, shattering her own previous record.
At just 22 years old, this passionate environmental activist has turned her endurance feats into powerful platforms for raising awareness about environmental conservation, climate change, and mental health. Her efforts have not only garnered national attention but also earned her accolades from various environmental organizations.
Another Kenyan Hugs Trees
