Kenya’s Truphena Muthoni has made history after completing an extraordinary 72-hour continuous tree-hugging marathon, an endurance feat that has captivated the nation and sparked a wave of conversation both online and offline.
The 22-year-old environmental activist, known for her passionate climate advocacy and personal journey through mental health challenges, stood with her arms wrapped around an indigenous tree at the Nyeri County Governor’s office grounds for three straight days, braving cold nights, and physical discomfort to reach her goal.
Muthoni’s attempt, which began on Tuesday, December 8, 2025, drew onlookers, volunteers and supporters who kept vigil, offering support as the hours ticked by. At 12:24 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, she crossed the 72-hour mark, prompting cheers from a growing crowd that had gathered to witness the climax of the gruelling challenge.
This achievement marks a significant step beyond her previous record. Earlier in 2025, Muthoni set a 48-hour tree-hugging world record at Michuki Memorial Park in Nairobi, more than doubling the earlier benchmark and elevating her profile as a young leader in environmental activism.
While some outlets report that she has officially set the 72-hour world record, others note that Guinness World Records (GWR) has yet to receive and verify formal evidence to certify the attempt. The organisation has clarified that it needs detailed documentation, verified timing, and adherence to strict guidelines before recognising any record claim, and it is currently awaiting the necessary submission.
Despite this procedural pause, the reaction within Kenya has been overwhelming. Social media users flooded GWR’s comment sections calling for recognition of Muthoni’s feat, while locals in Nyeri rallied around her during the event, offering food, shelter from rain, and moral support throughout the marathon.
Muthoni has always been clear that her endurance challenge is about more than a record. She has consistently framed the action as a powerful, symbolic gesture to highlight urgent environmental concerns such as deforestation, climate change, indigenous tree protection, and mental health awareness. At one point during the attempt, she even remained blindfolded for three hours to draw attention to the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in climate-related crises.
Her message struck a chord. Community leaders, political figures, and climate advocates praised her resilience. Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga and renowned lawyer P. L. O. Lumumba publicly supported her efforts, and her actions have made her a prominent figure among young environmental advocates in Kenya.
In the days following her completion of the challenge, Muthoni received tangible support reflecting her new status as a national symbol of environmental empowerment. Among the gestures of appreciation were gifts from local businesses; including a KSh1 million donation from the betting firm Odibets, a high-end smartphone, and other sponsorships, aimed at helping her continue her advocacy and campaigns for sustainable practices.
Whatever Guinness World Records’ final decision, Truphena Muthoni’s marathon tree hug has already succeeded in rallying conversation around environmental protection and the role of individual activism.
Her three-day vigil served as a vivid reminder that, in an era of climate uncertainty, simple symbolic acts can ignite much larger dialogues, and inspire many to care just a little more about the world we share.
