Young Kenyan environmentalist Truphena Muthoni has set a Guinness World Record (GWR), for the second time, after embracing a tree for 72 hours. She hugged the tree for three days, Dec. 8-11, 2025, to raise awareness about climate change and protest the destruction of Indigenous forests. In doing so, she caught the attention of the country and inspired others to embrace trees for their own causes.
Muthoni told GWR that she took on the challenge to “elevate and advocate for the protection of indigenous trees and to honor the wisdom of Indigenous Peoples, whose knowledge systems remain central to global climate solutions.”
Muthoni’s 72-hour feat surpassed the previous record, also held by her, of 48 hours, set in February 2025. For the duration of the challenge, Muthoni didn’t eat, sleep or let go of the tree’s trunk. She did have medical care available and was surrounded by supporters.
For Muthoni, these were more than just records. She said in a video that she aimed to respond to the cries of Indigenous people and make people to fall in love with nature. “We are cutting down indigenous forests, indigenous trees, replacing them with saplings and calling that mitigation. … I’m encouraging people to first protect what we have.”
Days before GWR announced her achievement on Jan. 26, Muthoni was named to the top 20 most impactful women in Kenya list by Timely Kenya. She was recognized along with female leaders in governance, health, politics and the environment.
Following Muthoni’s achievements activists across Kenya began hugging trees for other causes and for even longer, though they didn’t officially register with GWR.
In Nanyuki, in the center of Kenya, a 43-year-old named Paul Kago hugged a cedar tree for 96 hours to promote peace ahead of Kenya’s 2027 elections.
Farther south in Murang’a, James Irungu collapsed just 20 minutes short of achieving his goal to hug a tree for 80 hours to raise awareness about cancer.
A 14-year-old named Stephen Gachanja from Nairobi hugged a tree for 50 hours to raise funds for a crucial surgery for his brother.
Muthoni sparked a tree-hugging movement in Kenya that thrust environmental issues into everyday conversation. To keep that momentum going, Muthoni champions tree planting by Kenyan youth and collaborates with the Kenya Forest Service to help revive a forest reserve. She also serves as an ambassador for the Kenyan government’s goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
In a Facebook post, Muthoni said she has dedicated her life to such work. “Thank You, God, for trusting me with this sacred responsibility. I yield my life and my work to You. Before the people of Kenya and before the nations of the earth, I commit myself to be an instrument of healing for the world.”
Banner image: Truphena Muthoni hugging a tree for 72 consecutive hours. Image courtesy of Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga via X.
This story first appeared on Mongabay
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