Sossiot Police OCS Referred for Medical Attention After Tree-Hugging Incident.
Kericho County – On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, drama unfolded at Sossiot Police Station in Belgut Sub-County when the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Kennedy Wanjala, began participating in the viral tree-hugging challenge inside the station compound.
According to an official police report, colleagues alerted senior officers after Wanjala was seen hugging a tree while in full uniform. The unusual scene quickly drew a crowd of members of the public who gathered to witness the event.
Fellow officers intervened, disengaging Wanjala from the tree and escorting him away from the public view. After speaking with him, superiors noted that he appeared to be in emotional distress and possibly depressed. He was subsequently referred to a hospital for medical evaluation and attention.
The incident comes amid a growing national trend of the tree-hugging challenge, which has seen Kenyans embrace trees for extended periods to raise awareness on issues such as environmental conservation, cancer, gender-based violence, and other social causes.
The challenge gained prominence following environmental activist Truphena Muthoni's 72-hour tree-hugging effort last year, which she completed on December 11, 2025, to highlight environmental concerns. Other notable attempts have included a Murang'a pastor who collapsed just short of an 80-hour goal in a cancer awareness campaign, and various individuals using the stunt for personal fundraising or protest.
Health authorities have repeatedly cautioned participants about the risks. On January 15, 2026, Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni urged anyone considering the challenge to first undergo a medical check-up, noting several reported cases of people collapsing or requiring hospital care after prolonged hugging without prior health screening.
"We are not stopping anyone from participating in the tree-hugging challenge, but you must first undergo a medical checkup to ensure that you are medically fit," she stated.
While the specific motivation behind OCS Wanjala's participation remains unclear from initial reports, the episode highlights both the challenge's widespread popularity and the potential health concerns it poses. Senior officers have indicated that a follow-up report will be issued.
