There was drama at Sossiot Police Station in Kericho County on Tuesday, January 20, after the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Kennedy Wanjala, was hospitalised following a bizarre tree-hugging incident within the station compound.
According to a police report filed the same day, officers on duty alerted the Operations Control and Communications Department (OCPD) and the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Office after receiving information that the OCS was engaging in a tree-hugging stunt at the station.
The activity, commonly associated with a recently viral endurance challenge, raised immediate concern among junior officers.
When police officers moved to verify the report, they found Wanjala clinging to a tree inside the station grounds while dressed in full police uniform.
When police officers moved to verify the report, they found Wanjala clinging to a tree inside the station grounds while dressed in full police uniform.
The unusual scene quickly drew a crowd of curious residents and passers-by, prompting officers to secure the area to prevent escalation and maintain order.
After engaging the OCS in conversation, officers observed that he appeared emotionally distressed.
After engaging the OCS in conversation, officers observed that he appeared emotionally distressed.
The report notes that Wanjala was eventually disengaged from the tree and assessed by colleagues, who concluded that he required urgent medical attention.
“He was disengaged from the tree, and after talking to him, he appeared depressed and required medical attention. Follow-up report to follow,” the police report stated.
Wanjala was subsequently escorted to hospital for further evaluation and treatment. His condition at the time of admission was not immediately disclosed, and police authorities did not confirm how long he would remain hospitalised.
When questioned about what motivated his actions, the OCS linked the incident to broader social challenges affecting communities across the country.
“He was disengaged from the tree, and after talking to him, he appeared depressed and required medical attention. Follow-up report to follow,” the police report stated.
Wanjala was subsequently escorted to hospital for further evaluation and treatment. His condition at the time of admission was not immediately disclosed, and police authorities did not confirm how long he would remain hospitalised.
When questioned about what motivated his actions, the OCS linked the incident to broader social challenges affecting communities across the country.
He cited rising cases of gender-based violence, defilement, and substance abuse among children as issues that deeply troubled him.
“There is gender-based violence, there is defilement, and then a lot of children are drinking alcohol and using bhang. We need to fix this as a community,” Wanjala said, according to officers present during the incident.
The episode comes amid growing public interest in tree-hugging endurance challenges, which have gained traction on social media as a form of protest or awareness-raising.
“There is gender-based violence, there is defilement, and then a lot of children are drinking alcohol and using bhang. We need to fix this as a community,” Wanjala said, according to officers present during the incident.
The episode comes amid growing public interest in tree-hugging endurance challenges, which have gained traction on social media as a form of protest or awareness-raising.
However, health authorities have raised concerns about the physical and psychological risks associated with such activities.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health cautioned Kenyans against attempting physically demanding stunts, including prolonged tree-hugging, without medical clearance.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health cautioned Kenyans against attempting physically demanding stunts, including prolonged tree-hugging, without medical clearance.
Speaking on January 15, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni warned that several individuals had already suffered medical emergencies after taking part in the challenge.
While the activity has not been banned, the ministry stressed that participants must be physically and mentally prepared to avoid serious health complications.
The advisory followed the hospitalisation of 23-year-old Flora Anyango from Bungoma, who undertook a 74-hour tree-hugging protest against corruption.
While the activity has not been banned, the ministry stressed that participants must be physically and mentally prepared to avoid serious health complications.
The advisory followed the hospitalisation of 23-year-old Flora Anyango from Bungoma, who undertook a 74-hour tree-hugging protest against corruption.
Anyango reportedly stayed without food or water for three days, relying only on a timekeeper to track the hours. She was admitted to hospital shortly after completing the challenge.
During a hospital visit, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka praised Anyango’s determination and pledged to support her education, saying her protest had successfully highlighted the issues she was advocating against.
Police authorities have not indicated whether disciplinary or administrative action will be taken following the Kericho incident, stating that further reports will be compiled after medical assessments are completed.
During a hospital visit, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka praised Anyango’s determination and pledged to support her education, saying her protest had successfully highlighted the issues she was advocating against.
Police authorities have not indicated whether disciplinary or administrative action will be taken following the Kericho incident, stating that further reports will be compiled after medical assessments are completed.
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