Willis Raburu: Tree-Hugging Craze Is Not Just Fun — It’s a Sign of Desperation and a Cry for Attention

Media personality Willis Raburu has weighed in on Kenya’s rising tree-hugging trend, warning that it reflects deeper societal challenges rather than being a harmless viral activity. 

In a post on X, Raburu said the craze highlights a “desperation” among participants — a strong need to be seen, heard, and to make ends meet in a challenging economic environment.

“The tree-hugging shows two main things,” Raburu wrote. 

“One, we are keen on trends but that is just the symptom. The real issue is desperation, its attention. Its the need to be seen, heard. Its the want to make it, to make ends meet. Its trying in any way, shape or form kutoka kwa block. That doesn’t make it right, it just calls to us to look deeper.”

The movement began with 22-year-old environmentalist Truphena Muthoni, who in late 2025 hugged a tree non-stop for 72 hours in Nyeri to protest deforestation and weak forest protection. 

Her action captured national attention and inspired emerging challenges across the country, where participants now hug trees for extended periods to raise awareness for diverse causes, including health, education, peace, and fundraising.

Raburu urged Kenyans and policymakers to address the root causes behind such trends. 

He called for proper economic, social, and digital solutions, as well as strengthened infrastructure that can provide long-term opportunities for youth and communities. 

“We must begin to prioritise changes that will leave true indelible change,” he said, highlighting the need for structural interventions over temporary visibility through viral stunts.

While the tree-hugging challenges have sparked conversation and social media attention, Raburu’s remarks stress that these stunts are a symptom of broader systemic gaps that require tangible solutions rather than admiration for endurance alone.