Turkana Woman Hugs Tree for Three Days to Demand Free Diabetes Treatment

A woman living with diabetes in Turkana County staged a 72-hour tree-hugging protest in Lodwar to demand affordable treatment for patients unable to meet the cost of care.

Priscillah, who has managed diabetes for four years, said the expense of medication, medical consultations and routine tests has become impossible to sustain. She explained that at Lodwar County Referral Hospital, patients are required to pay to see a doctor, undergo blood tests and purchase prescribed drugs, costs she said she cannot afford.

She added that maintaining a diet suitable for diabetes has further increased the financial strain. According to Priscillah, specialised foods recommended for her condition are significantly more expensive than regular meals, leaving her with limited options to manage her health.

Her protest is directed at both President William Ruto and the Turkana County Governor. She is calling on the national and county governments to provide free diabetes treatment for patients who cannot pay. She urged public hospitals to supply medication directly, rather than referring patients to private pharmacies.

The demonstration has received local notice and reflects wider challenges faced by people living with chronic illnesses in rural Kenya. Limited access to healthcare and the high cost of long-term treatment continue to affect communities with low and unstable incomes.

Tree-hugging has recently emerged as a form of protest and advocacy in Kenya. The practice gained prominence in December when Truphena Muthoni, who describes herself as a Tree Planting Ambassador, hugged a tree for 72 hours outside the Nyeri County Governor’s office as part of an environmental campaign. 

Her action attracted public interest and encouraged similar demonstrations for various causes, including health, education and peace. Health officials have since issued warnings about the physical demands of prolonged tree-hugging. 

Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni said such endurance activities should only be attempted after medical assessment. She compared the challenge to long-distance running, noting that athletes prepare for months before undertaking marathons.

While the government has not discouraged the protests, officials have stressed the need to protect participants’ health, particularly those with existing medical conditions. PS Muthoni advised that individuals who are unwell should avoid strenuous activities, even when undertaken for advocacy purposes.