A man in Kitale, identified as Wanyonyi, has abandoned a planned 120‑hour tree‑hugging challenge intended to raise school fees for his Grade 10 daughter after a confrontation with members of the public cut short the challenge. The attempt, staged in the town centre, was part of a viral trend that has drawn mixed reactions nationwide.
Wanyonyi said he was seeking funds to secure his daughter’s admission to Joseph Girls Secondary School after she was turned away over unpaid fees.
Wanyonyi said the challenge is both a personal appeal and a symbolic stand for families facing similar financial barriers to education. “I am doing this not only on behalf of my daughter but also for other children in the Republic of Kenya. I am going to stay put,” Wanyonyi said before the challenge was halted.
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Witnesses reported that some locals accused him of exploiting the tree‑hugging trend for personal gain and confronted him at the site, forcing him to abandon the effort before reaching the 120‑hour target.
The incident quickly drew political attention, with Saboti MP Caleb Amisi condemning the practice as a “con game” and urging Kenyans to avoid informal fundraising stunts that risk exploiting students’ hardships.
Amisi said he visited the scene and offered to support Wanyonyi’s family through a bursary programme, but the offer was declined, with Wanyonyi reportedly seeking a more comprehensive solution.
The MP said the refusal angered him and that he later instructed youth in the area to remove the man from the site, insisting that genuine cases should be addressed through established support mechanisms.
By Masaki Enock
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