Environmental conservationist Truphena Muthoni has made history after completing an extraordinary 72-hour non-stop tree-hugging marathon, setting a new world record and shining a spotlight on Kenya’s forest conservation efforts.
Muthoni began the challenge in Nyeri, embracing a Mugumo tree for three uninterrupted days as supporters, environmental groups, and curious Kenyans followed her marathon both on-site and via livestreams.
Her new milestone surpasses her previous personal best of 48 hours, marking one of the boldest acts of climate activism in recent years. The achievement will now be submitted to international record certifiers for verification.
“This record is for our climate and our future”
Shortly after completing the 72-hour feat, an exhausted but emotional Muthoni said the challenge was aimed at raising awareness about Kenya’s diminishing forest cover and encouraging youth involvement in environmental protection.
“This record is not just for me — it is for our trees, our climate, and our future.
If hugging a tree for 72 hours gets even one more person to plant or protect a tree, then it is worth every second,” she said.
Throughout the challenge, a team of medics and organizers closely monitored her condition while crowds gathered in shifts, cheering her on as the hours stretched into days.
A symbolic call for environmental action
Muthoni’s tree-hugging marathon comes at a time when Kenya continues to battle threats such as deforestation, illegal logging, and climate-induced disasters. Conservation groups praised her record-setting effort as a creative and powerful way to raise awareness.
Her team says the next step is to push for wider community involvement in tree-planting campaigns, especially among young people.
What happens next?
The documentation from the event, including continuous video footage and official logs, will be submitted to global record bodies for review.
If confirmed, Muthoni will officially hold the world’s longest tree-hugging record, putting Kenya in global environmental headlines.
