Nairobi, Thursday 8- Murang’a County was this week the scene of an extraordinary endurance feat and a powerful call for cancer awareness after a local pastor collapsed just minutes before completing an ambitious tree-hugging marathon.
The 30-year-old preacher began the challenge on Sunday, January 4, hugging a tree in Murang’a town with the aim of remaining in contact with it for 80 continuous hours. The initiative was meant to draw attention to cancer, which he described as a silent disease affecting many Kenyan families, and to encourage open conversations around prevention, early detection and support for patients.
Throughout the marathon, residents, leaders and supporters gathered at the site to cheer him on, offering prayers, songs and encouragement as the hours passed. His determination saw him surpass the 72-hour mark, a milestone that attracted widespread attention both on the ground and online.
However, the physical strain of the prolonged effort eventually took its toll. On Thursday morning, after clocking 79 hours and 40 minutes just about 20 minutes shy of his target — the pastor collapsed from exhaustion. He was rushed to Murang’a County Level Five Hospital, where doctors confirmed he was in stable condition and expected to recover fully.
Murang’a County officials praised the initiative, describing it as unprecedented in the region and commending the pastor for using an unconventional approach to spark discussions on a critical health issue. Leaders noted that the marathon had succeeded in drawing attention to the need for increased cancer awareness and better support systems for those affected.
Despite falling slightly short of his intended goal, the pastor’s effort resonated strongly with the public, uniting the community around an important cause and proving that impactful advocacy can take many forms.
