A short video circulating on TikTok — shared widely including via the link the user provided — shows a Kenyan man enveloped in a heartfelt embrace with a tree.
In a mix of Swahili and street-wise advice he tells another man, “Ukishika mtu utasaidiwa na kitu moja, utapata familia na mtoto ambaye ni mwerevu kukuliko,” loosely meaning
“If you hold on to a person, you will gain one important thing: you will have a family and a child who is wiser than you.”
It’s a striking moment: both humorous and symbolic, but also deeply rooted in a broader social and cultural moment unfolding across Kenya.
At first glance, tree-hugging might seem like a quirky internet moment — yet in Kenya over the past several months it has become a nationwide phenomenon of endurance, advocacy and conversation.
What began as one woman’s bold environmental statement has evolved into a wave of symbolic gestures across age groups and causes, many of which are widely shared on social media platforms like TikTok.
Environmental activist Truphena Muthoni ignited the trend when she hugged a tree for an astounding 72 hours in Nyeri County late in 2025, a feat she undertook to raise awareness for forest conservation, climate action and mental well-being.
Her effort even earned recognition in the Guinness World Records after previously holding the longest tree-hugging marathon.
Muthoni’s peaceful but intense act tapped something in the Kenyan imagination — rooted both literally and metaphorically.
Trees symbolize life, resilience, deep roots, shade and sustenance, and for many observers, Muthoni’s action highlighted how far people will go to protect what sustains them.
In Kirinyaga County, a man named Josephat Ndegwa hugged a tree for extended hours — even dressing in symbolic sackcloth covered with handwritten messages — to spotlight challenges facing the boy child and the pressing issue of depression among young men.
His test of endurance drew praise and critique alike as Kenyans debated the movement’s meaning.
Some tree-hugging campaigns have had more serious goals — like raising funds for family medical needs or shining light on cancer awareness — while others have become social media moments that mix earnest reflection with internet fame.
Yet not everyone embraces the trend. Media personalities and civic figures have cautioned that prolonged endurance feats come with risks and may distract from sustainable activism.
Radio host DJ Xclusive, for instance, urged Kenyans to focus on impactful action beyond the viral craze, warning that hugging trees isn’t a “career path” and could dilute original messages if used merely for attention.
Amid these reactions, the TikTok clip of the Kenyan man hugging a tree and offering his blunt counsel stands out because it bridges personal life lessons with a cultural moment.
BY stephen atila
