- Kenyan activist Truphena Muthoni has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest tree-hugging marathon, spending 72 hours embracing a royal palm tree to promote environmental conservation.
- The record-breaking feat took place on December 11, 2025, outside the Nyeri County Governor’s office, where Muthoni embraced a royal palm tree continuously through harsh weather conditions.
Twenty-two-year-old Kenyan environmental activist Truphena Muthoni has set a new Guinness World Record after completing the longest marathon hugging a tree, lasting an extraordinary 72 consecutive hours.
The record-breaking feat took place on December 11, 2025, outside the Nyeri County Governor’s office, where Muthoni embraced a royal palm tree continuously through harsh weather conditions. She surpassed the previous record of about 50 hours held by Ghana’s Frederick Boakye.
This achievement marked her second attempt at the record, following a 48-hour effort earlier in 2025. Explaining her motivation, Muthoni said, “Hugging a tree shows that nature is not separate from us, it is family.”
Her campaign focused on raising awareness about environmental conservation, particularly the protection of indigenous trees amid growing climate change concerns. The challenge tested her physical and mental endurance as she remained awake and in constant contact with the tree for three straight days.
Following the official ratification by Guinness World Records on January 26, 2026, Kenyan President William Ruto honored Muthoni with the Head of State Commendation (HSC) and appointed her an ambassador for Kenya’s 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign.
Her achievement has drawn widespread admiration, with local businesses and supporters offering rewards ranging from financial pledges to holiday packages. Muthoni hopes her action will inspire others to actively engage in tree planting and environmental protection.
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