Kenyans are being urged to exercise caution before taking part in extreme physical challenges, as the Ministry of Health highlights the dangers of attempting strenuous activities without proper preparation.
Officials warn that recent trends, including prolonged tree-hugging, could pose serious health risks if participants are not medically assessed.
On Thursday, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni emphasised that anyone planning intense physical activity must be physically fit and medically cleared. She said that combining fasting with demanding challenges without proper health checks can have dangerous outcomes.
“People have started hugging trees and doing strenuous exercises. Please, if you want to combine fasting with strenuous activities, you must first undergo a medical check-up. You must be medically fit,” Muthoni said.
She pointed out that even long-distance runners prepare for months before attempting events, stressing that sudden engagement in extreme challenges without training is risky.
”Even those who run 40 kilometres train for one, two, or three months. Now you want to wake up in the morning and hug a tree for five days. Please, I’m only helping. We are not forbidding you from attempting these strenuous challenges, but you must be medically fit.”
Muthoni also stressed that religious fasting, like any high-intensity activity, requires planning and medical guidance. People with underlying health issues are advised not to take on such challenges regardless of personal or spiritual commitment.
“Even when you want to fast, you prepare. And you are also advised that if you have an illness, you cannot fast, even if you love God. You are told to prepare so that we don’t lose you,” she said.
The PS further warned that drug and substance abuse, combined with unsafe participation in endurance events, increases health risks. She emphasised the importance of ensuring personal safety and having medical supervision during demanding activities.
While the government promotes healthy living, Muthoni said unregulated and extreme physical exertion can lead to life-threatening complications. She also highlighted preventive measures, including safe drinking water, hygiene, and regular handwashing, as part of maintaining overall health.
In line with Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, she urged women to undergo regular screening for early detection and timely treatment.
The advisory follows a near-tragic incident involving Jimmy Irungu, a 30-year-old pastor from Murang’a, who collapsed during an 80-hour tree-hugging challenge meant to raise cancer awareness.
Irungu began the challenge on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 9:00 pm and was supposed to finish on Thursday, January 8, at 5.00 am. He fainted just 20 minutes before completing the event and was rushed to Murang’a County Referral Hospital.
Dr James Kahura, a consultant physician attending to Irungu, said the pastor had developed signs of organ strain upon arrival.
“Irungu had experienced significant exhaustion and severe dehydration, and as a result, he had started developing some organ complications. We noted that he had an acute kidney injury and severe muscle fatigue. He also had elevated muscle enzymes, and his brain function had started being affected,” Kahura said.
He explained that medical teams had to resuscitate Irungu and administer fluids to stabilise his condition.
“We are encouraged that he is now stable, but we are taking precautions and will observe him for another 24 hours to ensure no further organ complications develop,” Kahura added. He warned that prolonged fasting and sleep deprivation often lead to extreme exhaustion and dangerous electrolyte imbalances.
The doctor advised participants in similar challenges to seek professional medical guidance and ensure trained health personnel are available throughout the activity.
“We saw Truphena Muthoni do this last year, and we know many others may attempt similar challenges. It can be safe if adequate preparation is done,” Kahura said.
Kenyan environmentalist Truphena Muthoni previously set a Guinness World Record for the longest tree-hugging marathon, which lasted 48 hours. She also recently attempted a 72-hour challenge at the Nyeri Governor’s office compound on Thursday, December 11, 2025, which Guinness is still reviewing.
According to Guinness World Records, Truphena, a 22-year-old music and culture student, took on the challenge to show the mental and emotional benefits of connecting with nature.
Her 48-hour record, set in Nairobi from January 31 to February 2, 2025, exceeded the previous record by almost 24 hours. The previous record was held by Ghana’s Abdul Hakim Awal, who hugged a tree for 24 hours, 21 minutes and four seconds on May 23, 2024.
“She took on this record challenge to raise awareness about the profound impact of tree hugging on mental and emotional well-being. She spent over five months preparing her body for this attempt, including 42km walks and 12-hour test runs hugging a tree, and was able to surpass the previous record by almost 24 hours,” Guinness notes.
