It began as a viral challenge and ended in a hospital ward. The sleepy town of Sosiot in Kericho was treated to a bizarre spectacle on Tuesday when the local police boss was found clinging to a tree in his station compound, apparently unable—or unwilling—to let go.

Chief Inspector Kennedy Wanjala, the OCS of Sosiot Police Station, was discovered in full uniform, hugging a cypress tree while a crowd of curious onlookers gathered at the fence. What was initially dismissed as a prank or a content creation stunt quickly turned serious when junior officers realized their boss was in a state of deep emotional distress.

"Disengaged" From the Tree

The police report reads like a tragicomedy. It states that the officer had to be "disengaged from the tree" by his colleagues—a phrase that will surely enter the annals of Kenyan police history

The report notes that Wanjala appeared "depressed" and was immediately rushed to the hospital for a medical check-up. The incident has highlighted the silent mental health crisis plaguing the National Police Service, where officers deal with high stress, poor pay, and trauma, often without adequate support.

• The Viral Context: The OCS was reportedly participating in a "tree-hugging challenge" popularized by climate activist Truphena Muthoni. However, for an officer of the law to take it to such extremes suggests a cry for help rather than environmental advocacy.
• Ministry Warning: The incident comes just days after the Ministry of Health warned Kenyans against the challenge, citing health risks. It seems the warning didn't reach the commander's desk—or perhaps he felt the tree offered more support than the system.

A Nation Under Pressure

While the image is comical, the subtext is not. It reflects a society where the pressure is boiling over. When the people charged with maintaining order are themselves seeking solace in the bark of a tree, it suggests the center is struggling to hold.

As OCS Wanjala recuperates, the residents of Kericho are left wondering what will happen next. In the meantime, the cypress tree at Sosiot Police Station remains standing—a silent witness to the strange, sad absurdity of life in 2026 Kenya.