Pastor James Irungu, also known as Jimmy Irungu, collapsed during the 79th hour of his 80-hour tree-hugging challenge in Murang’a, Kenya. The 30-year-old preacher from Kahuro was rushed to Murang’a Level 5 Hospital early on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Doctors say he is in stable condition and receiving treatment.
Irungu started the challenge on Sunday, January 4, at around 9:27 PM. He planned to finish at 5:27 AM on Thursday. The goal was to raise awareness about cancer, which he called a silent killer in Kenya.
Many families spend everything on treatment, often travelling abroad. Irungu wanted to spark talks about early checks and better support. He hugged a tree in Murang’a Town nonstop, with people watching live updates online.
The idea came after Truphena Muthoni’s tree-hugging efforts in 2025 for the environment. Some said Irungu copied her, but he denied competing. Truphena even visited him during the challenge to show support. Mugithi singer Eli Jay stopped by too, helping with a jacket when it got cold. Those moments got shared widely, boosting attention.
Irungu stayed strong for days. He passed marks like 40 hours and 70 hours with cheers from locals. Supporters brought food and encouragement. He spoke about cancer risks from chemicals in food and feed. Planting trees was part of his plan after linking health to the environment.
But around 3:53 AM or so, in the 79th hour, his body gave out. Witnesses say he became unwell suddenly. Organisers and people nearby acted fast, getting him to hospital. He made it to 79 hours and 40 minutes, just short of the full 80. Doctors checked for exhaustion and other issues from standing so long.
News spread quickly on social media and local sites. Videos showed the rush to hospital. Many sent get-well messages. Some praised his effort for the cause. Others worried about health risks in such stunts. County officials noted the awareness raised, even if unfinished.
Cancer hits hard in Kenya. It’s among the top causes of death, with late diagnoses common. Treatment costs push families into debt. Irungu’s challenge highlighted getting people talking. Churches and groups often run awareness drives, but this one stood out for the endurance.
Irungu leads JCM Kahuro chapel. He has spoken on public health before. This wasn’t for records like Guinness, he said—just to wake people up. Truphena’s visit helped clear copy claims. She encouraged him, focusing on the shared message.
As he recovers, updates come from family and supporters. Hospital staff say he’s stable, no major worries. Visitors might be limited for rest. The tree site was cleared out after the incident.
Kenyans followed closely online. Livestreams and posts kept count of hours. When he collapsed, reactions mixed shock and respect. Many said 79 hours is still huge. Calls grew for more cancer screening programmes.
This story shows determination for a cause. Irungu pushed limits to spotlight a big problem. Even unfinished, it got attention on cancer needs. As he gets better, the message lingers. Awareness matters more than the full hours.
In Murang’a, daily life resumes. But talks about health checks might stick. Pastors and activists often use bold ways to reach people. This one worked, in its way.