• His feat, completed on Saturday, January 31, 2026, after beginning on Monday morning, has drawn widespread attention and sparked calls for Guinness World Records verification.

John Wanderi, a Form Four student at Kamura Mixed Secondary School, has turned endurance into activism. By hugging a tree for 105 hours—surpassing Truphena Muthoni’s 72‑hour record—he transformed a personal challenge into a national cry against rampant drug abuse.

His feat, completed on Saturday, January 31, 2026, after beginning on Monday morning, has drawn widespread attention and sparked calls for Guinness World Records verification.

A screen grab showing John Wanderi hugging a tree in Timboroa

The 20‑year‑old initially proposed a 120‑hour challenge but scaled it down to 105 after locals raised concerns. Authorities eventually cleared him, and he began the vigil on an unsecured highway in Timboroa. Supporters discouraged him from choosing a high‑risk forest location, but he pressed on, insisting the act symbolized resilience and sacrifice.

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Videos of Wanderi clinging to the tree circulated widely, drawing praise from unemployed youths and recovering addicts. Many pleaded with the government to recognize his effort, confront the “killer monster” of drugs, and create jobs.

Lembus Ward MCA Ben Igondi, moved by the student’s humble background, offered modest support and hinted at clearing his school fees. 

Wanderi’s symbolic act unfolded against a shifting national backdrop. President William Ruto has declared a full‑scale war on drugs and illicit alcohol, unveiling a 700‑member Anti‑Narcotics Unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

He framed substance abuse as both a national security threat and a development emergency, promising to dismantle trafficking networks and protect communities.

In this context, Wanderi’s tree hug amplified the urgency of Ruto’s declaration. His vigil was not just a record attempt—it was a grassroots protest that gave a human face to Kenya’s drug crisis. It reminded the country that behind every statistic lies a family broken, a youth lost, and a community struggling to heal.

As Kenya mobilizes against narcotics, Wanderi’s act challenges leaders to match policy with compassion. His tree hug stands as a symbol of endurance, resilience, and a plea for dignity in a fight that demands more than crackdowns—it demands hope.

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