Murang'a man collapses after hitting 79 hours in tree hugging fete

Pastor James Irungu, the Murang'a man seeking to better the tree-hugging record set by tree planting Ambassaddor Truphena Muthoni collapsed after recording 79 hours and 40 minutes in an 80-hour tree-hugging marathon challenge.

Following the incident, those at the venue moved in to assist him before he was taken for medical attention. Authorities later confirmed that Pastor Irungu is in stable condition at Murang’a County Level Five Hospital.

"Pastor Jimmy Irungu is currently at Muranga Level Five Hospital where he is having some checkup. His vital organs are okay it just a matter of fatigue and he is now getting good check up from our team of medics," Murang'a County Youth Affairs CEC, Manoah Gachucha said.

"He is very okay and stable, his pressure and diagnostics shows that he is okay and the doctors said in a few hours he will be out."

The challenge, which involved continuously hugging a tree for the duration, was closely followed by many Kenyans, with updates shared widely as the hours progressed. 

Earlier, a huge crowd has turned up at the site where the 30-year-old man was hugging a tree to create awareness on cancer in Murang'a town.

The crowd went wild when James Irungu surpassed the 72-hour record set by Truphena Muthoni in the neighbouring Nyeri county, celebrating him with songs and dance.

Muthoni was recognised for her 48-hour tree-hugging marathon, while her 72-hour feat is still undergoing ratification by the Guinness World Records.

Irungu started the challenge on Sunday and is set to complete it on Thursday at 5.27 am.

Hordes of social media personalities and leaders, including Muthoni herself, have visited Murang'a town to support and motivate him as artistes entertained the crowd with songs.

Kenyans took the chance to plead with the government and other duty bearers to take action and consider lowering the cost of treatment for the disease while easing screening in the grassroots.

Radio personality Essie Wa Mahatha said she has lost her mother and two siblings to the cancer scourge.

"This is a major sacrifice for a youth to push his body that far to send a message that this disease needs more attention," she said.

Murang'a Township MCA Charles Karina, on his part, praised Irungu for raising the town and county's flag high.

He said Irungu has seen numerous people travel from other counties to witness his attempt to break the record. 

That, in turn, has encouraged business activities in the town.

Governor Irungu Kang'ata, on his part, announced that a team of medics is on standby to check on his health and ensure his safety.

"After his full recovery, we look forward to engaging him on ways his ideas can support our fight against cancer," the governor said in a statement.

His brother, John Irungu, said when he started the challenge, he did not take him seriously until he pushed through the first day.

This is not easy. There's a time I tried to fast in prayer but was looking for the nearest hotel by the end of the day."

Irungu said he was prompted to start the challenge after witnessing many churchgoers struggle with cancer, saying it's a silent epidemic wreaking havoc in many households in the country.