It ended not with a bang, but a collapse—yet Pastor Jimmy Irungu’s silent, 79-hour embrace of a tree in Murang’a town has shouted louder than any political rally this year.

The 30-year-old cleric’s hospitalization just 20 minutes shy of his grueling 80-hour target highlights a desperate national plea: it is time to declare cancer a national disaster. Irungu’s physical exhaustion mirrors the financial and emotional fatigue of a nation where cancer is now the third leading cause of death, ravaging families with costs that make poverty a diagnosis.

A Marathon of Endurance

"Those who say I was defeated because I didn't hit my 80-hour target should know that it was not about breaking a record but sending a message," Irungu declared defiantly after being discharged from Murang’a Level 5 Hospital. He had stood rooted to the spot for three days and nights, surpassing the previous 72-hour record held by environmentalist Truphena Muthoni, before his body finally gave in to dehydration and fatigue at the 79th hour.

The pastor’s stunt was more than a spectacle for the onlookers in Murang’a town; it was a visceral protest against a healthcare system that forces citizens to fundraise for basic survival. "I have lost an uncle and a friend. Nationally, we have seen many people, including prominent personalities, struggle with the disease," he told the crowd.

The Cost of Survival

The statistics backing Irungu’s crusade are grim.

• The Body Count: Ministry of Health data indicates Kenya records roughly 44,726 new cancer cases and 29,317 deaths annually.
• The Financial Toxicities: Treatment costs remain prohibitive, with many families forced to sell land or hold fundraisers to send loved ones to India, as local facilities lack adequate equipment.
• The Diagnosis Gap: Over 70% of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages due to a lack of awareness and screening facilities in rural areas like Murang'a.

"Treat it Like HIV"

Irungu is now pushing for the Jimmy Irungu Foundation to lead grassroots sensitization, but his primary demand is directed at State House. He argues that until the government accords cancer the same emergency status it once gave HIV/AIDS—unlocking state resources, free testing, and subsidized drugs—Kenyans will continue to die preventable deaths. As he recovers, his message remains rooted in the public consciousness: in the fight against cancer, Kenya cannot afford to let go.