Watch: Meru Man’s 90-Hour Tree-Hug Exposed as ‘Cheating’ in Hilarious Viral Video
A viral video circulating on social media has sparked widespread amusement and debate after appearing to show a man from Meru County secretly breaking the rules during a high-profile tree-hugging endurance challenge.
The footage, shared by local outlet Weru TV, shows 62-year-old Simon Maraurau from Naari, who had claimed to complete an extraordinary 90-hour tree-hugging challenge, allegedly abandoning his post whenever there were no onlookers.
Mr Maraurau was among dozens of Kenyans who joined the tree-hugging craze inspired by environmental activist Truphena Muthoni, who previously completed 72 consecutive hours hugging a tree in an attempt to break her own Guinness World Record.
Wrapped in a Kenyan flag and initially hailed as a symbol of endurance and environmental consciousness, Mr Maraurau’s efforts drew moral support from members of the public. However, the newly surfaced video has cast doubt on the authenticity of his claim.
In the clip, the elderly man is seen sitting comfortably near the tree, openly admitting that he only resumed hugging it when people were approaching. At one point, he is filmed smoking and chatting casually, with a lookout seemingly assigned to warn him of any passersby.
“Sit down and have a cigarette before people come,” the person recording the video can be heard saying.
The two are then seen engaging in relaxed conversation, with Mr Maraurau requesting advance notice if anyone appeared nearby. Moments later, when a passerby is spotted in the distance, panic sets in.
“A person is coming! Get back very quickly. Throw the cigarette away, someone is coming,” the cameraman urgently warns.
Mr Maraurau immediately rushes back to the tree, wraps his arms around it and adjusts his facial expression to appear solemn and focused, prompting laughter from those present as they believe they have successfully deceived onlookers.
The video has since spread rapidly across platforms, triggering mixed reactions from Kenyans online. Some expressed disappointment, questioning whether they had been misled after offering encouragement and support.
Several social media users suggested the incident undermined the integrity of similar endurance challenges, while others took a more light-hearted view, insisting that brief breaks did not necessarily invalidate the effort.
“The one who recorded the video has decided to amuse us with it because he discovered mzee would not get anything,” wrote one user.
Another joked: “😂 This is the real book of record playing joker.”
Others rushed to Mr Maraurau’s defence, arguing that the moment was being exaggerated for humour.
“If you watch keenly, you will realise that he just wanted the tree to rest. This one cares about trees,” another commenter wrote, accompanied by laughing emojis.
Despite the controversy, the viral moment has reignited public conversation around the recent surge in endurance-based stunts inspired by record-breaking attempts, with many calling for clearer standards and accountability when such challenges attract public attention and support.
Also Read: Government issues fresh update on Grade 10 reporting deadline
Watch: Meru Man’s 90-Hour Tree-Hug Exposed as ‘Cheating’ in Hilarious Viral Video