There was drama on Tuesday, January 20, at Sossiot Police Station in Kericho after the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Kennedy Wanjala, stunned colleagues and residents by attempting the now-viral tree-hugging challenge within the station compound.
A police report filed the same day shows that officers alerted the Operations Control and Communications Department (OCPD) and the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Office after learning that OCS Wanjala was participating in the stunt on station grounds.
When officers moved in to verify the report, they found the senior officer clinging to a tree while dressed in full police uniform, an incident that quickly attracted a large crowd of curious onlookers.
After engaging him in conversation, officers noted visible signs of emotional distress and concluded that he required urgent medical attention, prompting immediate intervention.
“He was disengaged from the tree, and after talking to him, he appeared depressed and required medical attention. follow-up report to follow,” the police report stated.
When questioned about what drove his actions, the OCS linked the dramatic gesture to deep-rooted social challenges affecting communities across the country.
“There is gender based violence, there is defilement, and then a lot of children are drinking alcohol and using bhang. We need to fix this as a community,” Wanjala said.
The incident comes against the backdrop of growing public interest in tree-hugging endurance challenges, which has drawn concern from health authorities. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health cautioned Kenyans against attempting physically demanding activities such as prolonged tree-hugging without medical clearance.
Speaking on Thursday, January 15, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni warned that such challenges pose serious health risks if undertaken without proper screening. She revealed that several participants had already suffered medical emergencies and required hospitalization after engaging in prolonged tree-hugging.
While the activity has not been banned, health officials stressed that physical readiness remains essential. The advisory followed the hospitalization of 23-year-old Flora Anyango from Bungoma, whose 74-hour tree-hugging protest against corruption sparked national debate.
Despite lacking endurance training, Anyango stayed without food or water for three days, relying only on a timekeeper to track the hours. She was admitted to hospital on Thursday after completing the challenge.
During a hospital visit, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka praised her determination and pledged to support her education.
“You did a good job of highlighting the issues you were advocating against,” Lusaka told Anyango. He added, “And so that you are able to continue with what you do, I also say you go ahead and look for that college you were talking about, and then contact me, and I will pay for your fees until you finish.”
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