A strange scene unfolded at Sossiot Police Station in Belgut, Kericho County, when Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Kennedy Wanjala was found hugging a tree within the station premises.
Eyewitnesses reported that the OCS, dressed in full police uniform, had attracted a large crowd of onlookers. He was carefully disengaged from the tree by colleagues and appeared to require medical attention afterward. Officers took him to hospital for treatment.
Sources suggest the officer’s unusual act was linked to frustrations over rising crime in the area. However, the incident has sparked wider conversations about mental health challenges facing many Kenyans.
Tree-hugging has recently become a symbolic act in Kenya, popularized by Truphena Muthoni’s endurance campaign. While some join the challenge for fun or publicity, many participants are motivated by deeper struggles.
Muthoni herself has spoken openly about her battles with mental illness and abandonment, inspiring others to express their pain through similar acts.
Experts argue that such incidents reflect silent battles within society. Depression, stress, and untreated illnesses often push individuals to extreme actions that only gain attention when they unfold in public.
The experts urge the government, health agencies, and community leaders to implement strategies that support emotional well-being, provide counseling services, and remove the stigma surrounding mental illness.
By Newsmedia