A crowd gathered at the Belgut Police Station today as a senior officer, Chief Inspector Kennedy Wanjala, engaged in an unexpected act of tree hugging in the middle of the station compound.

The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) was reportedly in full uniform when the incident occurred, prompting his colleagues to intervene.

According to a police incident report filed at the station, the OCPD and the SCCIO were alerted to the situation while performing their routine duties.

Upon reaching the scene, they found the officer surrounded by members of the public.

The report noted, “The OCPD and SCCIO Belgut respectively while in the office on routine duties were alerted by other officers that the station OCS CI Kennedy Wanjala has resorted to tree hugging challenge within the station compound.”

After senior officials successfully convinced the Chief Inspector to let go of the tree, it became clear that the officer might be struggling with his mental health.

The incident report detailed the scene and the officer’s state, “Scene visited and confirmed that the OCS was actually hugging a tree in full official uniform having attracted a large number of members of the public. He was disengaged from the tree and after talked to, he appears depressed and requires medical attention.”

The act of hugging trees has recently gained traction in Kenya as a way to send a message or attempt endurance records.

The practice has seen significant local success, notably by Truphena Muthoni from Nyeri.

Muthoni is the current Guinness World Record holder for tree hugging with a 48-hour record; she recently completed a 72-hour attempt which is currently awaiting official verification.