A woman from Keroka in Kisii County hugs a tree planning to go for 72 hours to raise rent money, a move that has spread quickly online over the weekend. The message, shared on social media, included a photo of a woman posing with a tree.
The attached picture shows the same woman in two poses next to a tree trunk. She wears sunglasses, a black jacket, and a tight blue skirt.
The post follows a wave of real tree-hugging attempts in Kenya. It began in December 2025 with Truphena Muthoni from Nyeri. She hugged a tree for 72 hours to highlight environmental issues and break a record.
Muthoni stood still near Mount Kenya as a protest against tree cutting. Her effort got media coverage and Guinness attention. She aimed to raise awareness for climate action.
After that, others joined in. A pastor named James Irungu tried for 80 hours but collapsed and needed hospital care. A 14-year-old boy, Stephen Gachanja, hugged a tree in Nairobi’s Jevanjee Gardens for 50 hours to raise funds for his sick brothers.
Nairobi official Geoffrey Mosiria later asked people to stop the trend over health risks. Some attempts raised money for causes or personal needs.
The Keroka post stands out differently. The photo and caption drew laughs and eye-rolls. Many comments joked about the pose or suggested alternatives.
One reply said, “She should hug me instead.” Others questioned if it was serious. Shares on Facebook groups repeated the same text and image. It fit into online humour common in Kenya, where viral challenges mix with memes.
Keroka sits in Kisii County, a busy trading town known for farming and markets. Rent pressures affect many there, like in other parts of the country. High living costs push creative fundraising sometimes.
But this case seems more for attention than a real plan. No updates showed the woman starting or collecting donations.
Social media trends move fast in Kenya. Real challenges like Muthoni’s inspired action on trees and the environment. Copycats followed, some for good reasons, others for views.
Health warnings came after collapses. Officials worried about young people copying without preparation.
The “rent” angle added a twist. Economic struggles hit hard after holidays. Many face bills in January. Jokes about extreme ways to pay rent resonate. Similar posts pop up now and then, blending desperation with humour.
This viral moment shows how trends evolve online. A serious record attempt turns into memes. The photo keeps circulating in chats. For Kisii residents, it put Keroka in the spotlight briefly, even if just for laughs.
Tree hugging started as a quiet protest elsewhere. In Kenya, it became a mix of activism, fundraising, and now comedy. What begins real can shift quickly on social media.
