Murang’a-based pastor Jimmy Irungu collapsed on Thursday morning just 20 minutes short of completing an ambitious 80-hour tree-hugging challenge aimed at raising cancer awareness.
The 30-year-old lost consciousness after enduring 79 hours and 40 minutes hugging a tree in Murang’a town, where the endurance feat began on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
He was swiftly rushed to Murang’a County Level Five Hospital, where medical personnel later confirmed that his condition was stable, attributing the collapse to extreme exhaustion caused by prolonged physical exertion.
Although Irungu narrowly missed his 80-hour target, his effort was widely hailed as a remarkable achievement.
By surpassing the previous 72-hour record held by environmental activist Truphena Muthoni, many supporters viewed his attempt not as a failure but as a powerful demonstration of resilience and commitment to a critical cause.
The unusual marathon gradually turned into a public spectacle, drawing residents, supporters, and visitors as the hours stretched into days. When Irungu crossed the 72-hour mark, the atmosphere became electric, with cheers, singing, dancing, and collective prayers erupting among the crowd.
The initiative gained national attention, attracting political leaders, social media influencers, and supporters from neighbouring counties. Truphena Muthoni herself visited the site, publicly praising Irungu’s determination and applauding the cancer awareness campaign driving his challenge.
Irungu later revealed that the idea was deeply personal, inspired by the suffering of cancer patients within his church and the wider community. He described cancer as a “silent epidemic” that devastates families quietly and often without sufficient public attention.
County officials also lauded the effort. A senior county executive termed the attempt unprecedented in Murang’a and beyond, while Governor Irungu Kang’ata said the county would engage the pastor after his recovery to explore ways of strengthening cancer awareness and support initiatives.