Pastor James “Jimmy” Irungu collapsed early Thursday morning after spending nearly 79 hours and 40 minutes hugging a tree in a daring endurance challenge, just 20 minutes shy of completing his 80-hour goal.
Irungu, who has been hugging the tree continuously since Sunday, January 4, 2026, said the challenge was aimed at raising cancer awareness and inspiring Kenyans to take health screening seriously.Eyewitnesses say that after more than three days of non-stop hugging, the 30-year-old pastor succumbed to extreme fatigue and exhaustion, fainting at the challenge site.
Medical volunteers immediately rushed him to Murang’a County Level Five Hospital, where he was stabilized and later confirmed to be in stable condition.
The event had drawn large crowds throughout the week, with live updates trending across social media. Although Irungu did not officially complete the 80 hours, his 79-hour feat surpassed the previous 72-hour record set by environmental activist Truphena Muthoni, earning him nationwide recognition for his endurance.
Speaking after regaining consciousness, Irungu hinted at a possible return to complete the remaining time once fully recovered, vowing to continue his advocacy for cancer awareness. Supporters praised his dedication, describing the effort as “inspirational” despite falling just short of the target.
