National Leaders Rally Behind Truphena Muthoni’s 72-Hour Tree-Hugging World Record Bid
A 22-year-old Kenyan environmental activist, Truphena Muthoni, is attempting to set a Guinness World Record by hugging a tree for 72 hours in Nyeri County.
Muthoni’s effort has become a focal point for a nationwide conservation campaign, gaining support from senior public figures and community members. On 10 December, Pan-African scholar and lawyer PLO Lumumba visited her at the Nyeri Governor’s office to offer encouragement, emphasising the significance of her environmental message.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also voiced his support in a social media post, commending her determination and linking her endurance to broader concerns about deforestation, mental health, and climate justice. Kenyans from various regions have travelled to Nyeri to stand with Muthoni during the marathon vigil.
In a video message, she thanked supporters and noted that the gathering had become a platform for promoting conservation. Online, content creators have launched a tree-hugging challenge to extend the campaign’s reach.
Corporate leaders have added their backing as well. Simon Kabu, CEO of Bonfire Adventures, and his daughter Maurine offered Muthoni and her family a fully sponsored three-day coastal holiday in recognition of her commitmen. Muthoni has incorporated symbolic gestures into her record attempt.
At the 48-hour mark, she wore a blindfold for nearly three hours while continuing to hug the tree, dedicating the act to people with disabilities and calling for their protection in the face of climate-related risks.
