Kenyan rugby sensation Kevin Wekesa is trading tackles for trees, launching a viral fitness challenge that is turning sweat into environmental action across the country.

Dubbed the "Play Green Squats Challenge," the initiative is as grueling as it is noble. The Shujaa star is challenging Kenyans to perform 60 squats every day for 20 consecutive days. But the pain has a purpose: the campaign aims to raise awareness and funds to plant fruit trees in schools, merging physical fitness with climate resilience in a way that has captured the imagination of Kenya’s digital generation.

Sweat for a Cause

Unveiled under his broader "Play Green" initiative, the challenge runs from January 20 to June 14, 2026. Participants are asked to post their progress on social media, nominate friends, and—crucially—support the planting of 600 fruit trees in educational institutions.

• The Incentive: The top three school rugby teams that rally the most support will win VIP invitations to the HSBC SVNS Division 2 leg at Nyayo Stadium in February.
• The Impact: Wekesa has committed to personally visiting the top performing schools to lead tree-planting drives, ensuring students take ownership of the green legacy.
• The Vision: "It is about more than just fitness," Wekesa said. "It is about showing that athletes can lead the charge in protecting our planet. 60 squats hurt, but climate change hurts more."

A New Kind of Athlete Activism

Wekesa’s initiative represents a shift in how Kenyan athletes are using their platforms. By linking the global HSBC SVNS circuit with local environmental action, he is bringing the message of sustainability to a demographic that might otherwise tune out traditional climate advocacy. The "Play Green" movement is built on four pillars: tree planting, education, recycling, and ending single-use plastics.

As videos of panting Kenyans doing squats flood TikTok and Instagram, Wekesa has proven that conservation doesnt have to be boring—sometimes, it just takes a little muscle.