Speaking after completing the challenge on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the pastor said his aim was to draw attention to the physical and emotional suffering experienced by patients undergoing treatment, as well as the strain placed on their families.
“I am speaking now because the challenge I have been undertaking was meant to demonstrate how cancer patients suffer while lying in hospital beds. The challenge is now over, but as I was doing it,” he said.
Irungu noted that many cancer patients spend prolonged periods confined to hospital beds, often in pain and uncertainty, as they undergo treatment.
He said his decision to take part in the endurance challenge was meant to give the public a glimpse into that difficult experience and encourage greater empathy and support.
He added that the challenge was also meant to reflect the emotional toll that the illness takes on families, who must navigate the high cost of treatment and the uncertainty surrounding recovery.
According to the pastor, the experience is not limited to the patients alone but extends to loved ones who stand by them throughout the journey.
“I also found it important to show how the end of most of these patients usually looks—being in a coffin,” he added.
His remarks have sparked mixed reactions, with some members of the public expressing support for the message he sought to convey, while others questioned the method he chose to communicate it.
Despite the differing views, Irungu maintained that his intention was to raise awareness and spark conversations around cancer and its impact.
He emphasised the need for increased public awareness, early detection and access to treatment, noting that many patients continue to face challenges due to limited resources and high medical costs.
He also called for stronger support systems for families affected by the disease.
The endurance challenge, which drew significant public attention, has brought renewed focus to the broader conversation on cancer care in the country.
Health advocates have long called for more investment in screening, treatment facilities and patient support programmes to improve outcomes.