Is Tree-Hugging the New "Quick Money" Scheme? Oga Obinna Weighs In

The tree‑hugging trend sparked by environmental and endurance feats has become a widely discussed phenomenon across Kenya’s digital and physical spaces.

What began as an isolated act of environmental advocacy has drawn attention from public figures, content creators, and the general public.

The Trend That Took Root

The craze began with environmental activist Truphena Muthoni, who set a Guinness World Record by hugging a tree for 48 hours as a symbolic protest for conservation and mental health awareness.

She later extended her own achievement with a 72‑hour embrace outside the Nyeri governor’s office, attracting national attention and commentary online.

Since then, spontaneous tree‑hugging challenges have spread nationwide. In Murang’a, Pastor Jimmy Irungu attempted an 80‑hour hug to raise cancer awareness but ended his effort due to exhaustion.

In Nairobi, a 14‑year‑old completed a 50‑hour embrace to raise funds for a sibling’s surgery. 

READ MORE: Tree Hugging Meaning: Cultural, Environmental and Spiritual Insights

A number of well‑known personalities have publicly reacted to the trend as it gained momentum:

DJ Xclusive Reacts

Radio personality DJ Xclusive criticised the trend on social media, describing it as a temporary social media activity rather than a serious pursuit.

On Instagram, he stated that tree‑hugging is “not a career path” and urged participants to focus on activities with long-term value adding that such challenges serve little purpose beyond temporary social media attention.

 “Dear Kenyans, tree-hugging is not a career path. Kindly stop the nonsense.” Xclusive wrote.

Geoffrey Mosiria Voices Concern

Nairobi County’s Citizen Engagement CEC, Geoffrey Mosiria, highlighted the physical risks and potential exploitation of prolonged tree-hugging attempts.

In a statement shared on his official social media accounts Mosiria noted that some individuals are pushing their bodies beyond safe limits in the name of endurance, with cases emerging where the challenge is being exploited for financial gain.

He urged relevant agencies to step in and regulate the activity. “I urge authorities to intervene, especially where the challenge is being exploited for financial gain, “Mosiria urged.

Tom Daktari’s Critique

Kenyan content creator Tom Daktari questioned the feasibility of recent tree‑hugging endurance records.

He raised concerns about whether it is physically and mentally possible for someone to remain nearly motionless for up to three days, comparing the stillness required to a digital “.mp4” file.

Daktari also highlighted the requirement for participants to stay disconnected from phones, citing potential mental strain and privacy risks if personal messages are accessed during the attempt.

Despite his skepticism, he acknowledged that some participants successfully complete the challenges and achieve their intended goals.

Oga Obinna Highlights Economic Shifts

Content creator Oga Obinna offered a different perspective, focusing on the socio-economic side of the trend. He questioned how people are managing to pay rent and observed a shift in how individuals, particularly women, are generating income. 

Obinna noted a current obsession with hugging trees and claimed that many have discovered a secret for making quick money through these endurance challenges, suggesting the trend is tied to both visibility and potential earnings.

Public Reactions to the ongoing trend