Truphena Muthoni, during the 72-hour tree-hugging challenge.
A viral social media trend that saw Kenyans undertaking prolonged tree-hugging challenges originally aimed at peaceful protest and awareness is increasingly facing resistance from authorities and local communities across the country.
The trend, which has seen both symbolic and cause-driven attempts, has sparked debate about its purpose, safety, and social value.
In Kiharu constituency, a woman attempting to take part in the tree-hugging challenge was interrupted and warned by the local area chief, who gave her a stern ultimatum.
“When five minutes elapse and you are still there, you will be arrested. It’s upon you to decide,” the chief warned her.
This confrontation, captured in widely circulated clips on social media, reflects growing official fatigue with unregulated public demonstrations that have shifted away from their original intentions.
County officials such as Geoffrey Mosiria have publicly criticised similar challenges, saying the movement’s focus has strayed from environmental awareness toward “mischief and exploitation,” including soliciting money via mobile payments under the guise of hugging trees.
He has urged that such activities be properly cleared by county authorities to avoid misuse and maintain public order.
In Kericho county, residents also rejected a young man’s tree-hugging attempt, telling him emphatically, “We don’t want games here.”
Their refusal illustrates how communities are questioning the seriousness of some participants’ motivations amid an increasingly crowded field of stunts.
In another incident in Kitale, Saboti constituency Member of Parliament, Caleb Amisi, publicly condemned a man’s extended tree hug undertaken to raise school fees for his daughter, calling the spectacle a “con game” as the man refused the MP’s offer to pay school fees for his daughter.
Amisi’s statement reflects perceptible frustration among some leaders about what they see as opportunistic use of public stunts to attract sympathy or funds.
Meanwhile, national health authorities have also warned Kenyans about the risks associated with prolonged tree-hugging without proper medical preparation.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni emphasised that sustained attempts can be physically demanding and potentially dangerous without health screening, as several participants have collapsed or required medical care.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of Kenya’s high-profile tree-hugging events, including record-setting attempts that have drawn widespread attention and debate about their effectiveness and relevance.
While some see such demonstrations as symbolic tools of protest, others argue that without clear purpose and structure they quickly devolve into viral spectacles divorced from substantive advocacy.
By Star