Residents of Kitale town were treated to an unusual scene after a man was forced to abandon his dramatic act of hugging a tree in the town centre, an incident that quickly attracted attention both on the streets and online.
The man, later identified as David Wanyonyi, had positioned himself around a tree with the intention of clinging to it for several days.
According to information that later emerged, his action was meant to draw public attention to his personal struggle, as he was reportedly seeking financial help to raise school fees for his daughter, who had been unable to secure admission due to unpaid fees.
What began as a silent and symbolic protest soon turned chaotic. Curious onlookers gathered, but not everyone was sympathetic.
Some residents accused the man of misusing a growing trend where individuals hug trees to attract donations or publicity. Tensions rose as a section of the crowd confronted him, telling him to leave the area.
Eyewitnesses say the confrontation escalated, forcing the man to let go of the tree and flee the scene to avoid further trouble. Videos shared online showed him being chased away, sparking mixed reactions from Kenyans, with some expressing sympathy while others criticized the method he chose to seek help.
The incident also drew comments from local leaders. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi publicly criticized the use of tree-hugging stunts to solicit money, describing it as misleading and urging people facing genuine hardship to use established channels such as bursaries and community support programs. He warned that such acts could provoke public anger and put lives at risk.
The Kitale drama comes amid a wider trend in Kenya where endurance stunts, including prolonged tree-hugging, have been used to raise awareness or funds for various causes. While some efforts have previously received praise, others, like the Kitale case, have faced backlash from the public.
As calm returned to Kitale town, the incident left many questioning how far people should go to seek help and whether desperation is pushing citizens into unsafe and controversial acts.
The episode has also reignited debate on the rising cost of education and the struggles faced by parents trying to keep their children in school.
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