Kenyan Scout and Climate Activist Truphena Muthoni Sets New Tree-hugging World Record

Climate activist Truphena Muthoni has set a world record for hugging a tree for 72 hours straight. She clocked the mark on December 11, 2025, 12: 27 pm at Nyeri Governor Kahiga Mutahi’s office in Nyeri town. Muthoni a 22-year-old Scout and passionate climate activist surpassed her previous personal best of 48 hours and marking a major milestone in global climate activism to pen her name in the Guinness World Book of Records. The 22-year-old environmentalist, known for her deep passion for reafforestation and an advocate against the cutting of trees, had previously set a 48-hour tree-hugging world record in February at Nairobi’s Michuki Memorial Park. With an unbeatable determination to put the record straight, she had set strict rules in her 72-hour endurance challenge, which consisted of no food, no water and zero breaks. She was to maintain physical contact with the tree and only move around it without breaking the embrace. “I am doing this to also encourage people just to make them fall in love with nature, so that they do not hurt nature, and also because I believe that conservation begins with love, and that we must nurture a million trees before we plant a million trees,” she said in a previous interview. Throughout the marathon, medical volunteers and organizers ensured her safety as crowds cheered her on. The 72-hour achievement places Muthoni among the world’s most committed environmental endurance activists, and her team says more initiatives are planned to keep the momentum on reforestation and climate awareness. Local environmental groups praised her bold demonstration, calling it a creative form of advocacy at a time when Kenya continues to battle widespread deforestation, land degradation and the impact of worsening climate shocks. County officials also lauded her effort, describing it as a symbol of resilience and a reminder that community-led conservation remains central to Kenya’s climate agenda.