PASTOR COLLAPSES DURING TREE-HUGGING STREAK

Pastor Jimmy Irungu, a 30-year-old gospel singer and preacher, has fainted after spending 79 hours and 40 minutes continuously hugging a tree, falling only 20 minutes short of his targeted 80-hour marathon.

The challenge, which began on Sunday evening, was aimed at drawing national attention to the growing cancer burden in Kenya and the high cost of screening and treatment.

The incident unfolded shortly after 6:29 a.m., as a large crowd gathered around the site watched anxiously. Cheers that had filled the air moments earlier quickly turned into panic when the visibly weakened pastor lost consciousness and slumped to the ground.

A medical team that had been deployed at the venue by the Murang’a County government responded immediately, administering first aid before rushing him to Murang’a County Level Five Hospital. He was admitted to the emergency wing for close monitoring.

Health officials later confirmed that Irungu’s collapse was caused by extreme exhaustion, dehydration and prolonged sleep deprivation, but reassured the public that his condition was stable. Doctors said his vital organs were functioning normally and that he was undergoing rehydration therapy through intravenous fluids. He is expected to be discharged once his electrolyte levels are fully restored.

The tree-hugging marathon had drawn growing attention throughout the week, with residents, leaders, artistes and social media personalities visiting the site to offer support. By Wednesday night, the atmosphere in Murang’a town had taken on a celebratory tone as Irungu surpassed the 72-hour record previously set by environmental advocate Truphena Muthoni.

Songs, prayers and dances erupted as supporters marked the historic moment, acknowledging the intense physical and mental resilience required to remain standing and in physical contact with a tree for more than three consecutive days.

Muthoni herself travelled to Murang’a to witness the feat, publicly recognising the endurance involved. Her own tree-hugging record, which exceeded 72 hours, is still undergoing ratification, while her earlier 48-hour attempt had already gained national recognition.

County Youth Affairs CEC Manoah Gachucha said Irungu was responding well to treatment and dismissed fears of long-term complications.
“He is stable, his pressure is normal, and diagnostic results are reassuring. Medics are monitoring him closely, and he is expected to be discharged within a few hours,” Gachucha said.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata had earlier confirmed that a team of medics had been placed on standby throughout the challenge to ensure Irungu’s safety. Following the incident, the county government praised the swift medical response, noting that the safety measures in place were crucial in preventing a possible tragedy.

Beyond the physical endurance, Irungu’s protest carried a deeply personal message. He said he was motivated by the number of cancer cases he had witnessed among members of his congregation, describing the disease as a “silent epidemic” that continues to devastate families financially and emotionally.

Throughout the challenge, Kenyans used social media platforms to amplify the pastor’s message, urging the national government and other duty bearers to lower the cost of cancer treatment and expand access to screening at the grassroots level.

Radio personality Essie Wa Mahatha, who visited the site, shared her own painful experience with the disease, saying she had lost her mother and two siblings to cancer.
“This is a huge sacrifice by a young man pushing his body to the limit to make a point. Cancer needs urgent attention,” she said.

Even Irungu’s family admitted they had underestimated the challenge. His brother, John Irungu, said he initially thought the idea was unrealistic until the pastor pushed through the first day.
“This is not easy. I once tried fasting in prayer and by the end of the day I was already looking for food,” he said.

While opinions online have been divided — with some praising Irungu’s courage and others questioning the risks involved — there is little dispute that his action succeeded in igniting a nationwide conversation around cancer awareness.

Although the 80-hour mark remained just out of reach, Pastor Jimmy Irungu’s 79-hour stand has already secured a place in Kenya’s activism history, proving that unconventional protest can still command national attention and force uncomfortable but necessary discussions about healthcare equity.

As he recovers in hospital, the message behind his endurance continues to resonate far beyond Murang’a town echoing a call for an improvement in cancer treatment and environmental conservation.