Kenyan climate activist Truphena Muthoni was officially recognized by Guinness World Records for completing the longest marathon hugging a tree, sustaining the feat for 72 continuous hours.
The record was achieved on December 11 in Nyeri County, where Muthoni endured cold, rainy nights and long, dreary days without a break, to complete the challenge.
In a statement, Guinness World Records confirmed that Muthoni surpassed the previous record of 48 hours—a benchmark she herself had set earlier in 2025.
“Truphena Muthoni from Kenya has set the record for longest marathon hugging a tree with an unbelievable total of 72 hours.
“Hugging a tree shows that nature is not separate from us, it is family.”
“Longest marathon hugging a tree — 72 hours by @truphena_muthoni,” the organization announced on its official social media platforms.
Guinness World Records noted that the attempt was motivated by Muthoni’s mission to “elevate and advocate for the protection of Indigenous trees and to honor the wisdom of Indigenous peoples.”
The record was first broken in 2024 by Faith Patricia Ariokot (Uganda) with a time of 16 hr 6 sec.
Abdul Hakim Awal (Ghana) broke it in 2024 with 24 hr 21 min 4 sec, and Truphena first came along in February 2025 to take the title with a total of 48 hr.
Frederick Boakye (Ghana) very briefly held the record with a time of 50 hr 2 min 28 sec, before Truphena took it back with her record-shattering time.
22-year-old Truphena, who has founded her own initiative called Hug the Earth, told us: “The first attempt was a statement, a way to reintroduce humanity to the Earth through a simple, intimate act.
“The second attempt was a commitment. I realized that the world needed more than symbolism, it needed endurance, consistency, and proof that care for the planet is not momentary. Doing it twice was my way of saying that climate action is not a one-off event, but a sustained responsibility.”
To prepare the first time, she engaged in dry fasting and reduced her water intake to train her body to go for long periods without it.
Muthoni has earned national recognition for her environmental advocacy, particularly her efforts to promote reforestation and the preservation of indigenous tree species.
Her work has consistently challenged the indiscriminate felling of native trees while encouraging community-led conservation initiatives.
Muthoni explained the philosophy underpinning her activism.
“I am doing this to encourage people to fall in love with nature, so that they do not hurt nature,” she said. “I believe that conservation begins with love, and that we must nurture a million trees before we plant a million trees.”
Her impact has also drawn recognition at the highest levels of government.
President William Ruto on December 15 appointed Muthoni as an ambassador for Kenya’s 15-billion-tree planting campaign, citing her courage, fortitude, and leadership in environmental conservation.
“As a mark of national honour for her exemplary service to environmental stewardship, I have conferred upon Truphena Muthoni the Head of State Commendation (HSC) Medal,” President Ruto said.
He further announced that the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Tourism Board would sponso a holiday experience for Muthoni and her team.
In addition, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry will support the realization of her goal to visit Brazil, an opportunity aimed at broadening her exposure to global conservation initiatives and environmental leadership.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
