"Heroic Effort": Pastor James Irungu Collapses Minutes Before Completing 80-Hour Tree-Hugging Marathon

Pastor James Irungu, popularly known as the “Murang’a tree hugger”, was forced to stop his 80-hour tree-hugging challenge after collapsing just moments before the finish line.

Irungu fell ill at the 79-hour and 40-minute mark, narrowly missing his target by less than half an hour.

Rushed to Hospital, Now in Stable Condition

Following the collapse, the young pastor was rushed to Murang’a Level 5 Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

According to updates shared, Irungu is in stable condition and remains surrounded by family and loved ones as he recovers.

Photos later shared online showed Irungu resting at Murang’a Level 5 Hospital, surrounded by loved ones.

He appeared visibly exhausted but conscious as family members stayed by his side.

Challenge Aimed at Raising Cancer Awareness

Irungu launched the 80-hour endurance challenge to create awareness around cancer, a cause that quickly attracted public attention both on the ground and across social media platforms.

For more than three days, he stood hugging a tree, drawing crowds and online discussions around his mission.

Emotional Moment as Sister Breaks Down in Tears

Earlier during the challenge, emotions ran high when Irungu’s sister was seen breaking down in tears after watching her brother endure hours of physical strain.

Members of the public stepped in to comfort her as concern grew over his health.

Kenyans Praise Irungu’s Determination Despite Collapse

Despite falling short of the full 80 hours, many Kenyans praised Irungu’s resilience, describing him as a fighter and a hero.

Social media users applauded his effort, noting that lasting nearly 80 hours — especially without prior preparation — was no small achievement.

Stephen Njugush and Others Weigh In

Comedian Stephen Njugush was among those who defended Irungu, stating that missing the target by less than an hour still amounted to an impressive feat.

Others echoed similar sentiments, saying the awareness created mattered more than the final count.

Truphena Muthoni Shows Solidarity Amid Copycat Claims

At some point, Irungu’s challenge sparked debate, with some accusing him of trying to copy Truphena Muthoni’s earlier tree-hugging attempt.

However, Truphena dismissed the criticism and instead showed support by visiting Irungu at the Murang’a site where he was carrying out the challenge.

While Pastor Irungu did not complete the full 80 hours, many Kenyans believe his mission succeeded in sparking conversation and awareness around cancer — the very cause he set out to highlight.