Kenyan environmentalist Hillary Kiplagat Kibiwott has closed a 24-hour bid to plant 24,000 trees in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record.
Hillary Kiplagat completed his 24-hour tree-planting attempt on Thursday morning, during which he planted 23,326 trees. The challenge took place at Kaptagat Forest in Kameza, Kessup Forest Block, Elgeyo Marakwet County
He narrowly missed his target of 24,000 but surpassed the previous Guinness World Record of 23,060 trees set in 2021 by Canada’s Antoine Moses.
However, official recognition of the record by Guinness World Records is yet to be verified.
The exercise began on Wednesday, April 22, and concluded on the morning of Thursday, April 23.
His attempt attracted the attention of Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi, National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, and Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko.
Hillary Kiplagat Attempts Planting 24,000 Trees
Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich officially flagged off his attempt, after which Kibiwott immediately began planting trees.
Principal Secretary for Forestry Gitonga Mugambi said the attempt reflects Kenya’s broader environmental ambitions.
He noted that the effort aligns with the country’s commitment to restoring degraded landscapes, protecting critical water catchments, and achieving the President’s goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
“The effort speaks to a wider national mission that reflects Kenya’s commitment to restore degraded landscapes, safeguard vital water catchments, and realize the President’s ambition of growing 15 billion trees by 2032,” Mugambi said.
On his part, Principal Secretary at the National Treasury, Chris Kiptoo, who also serves as Patron of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Program, said the Guinness World Record attempt to plant 24,000 trees in 24 hours reflects a bold form of climate action led by Hillary Kibiwott.
Also Read: Hillary Kibiwott: Kenyan Attempting Guinness World Record for Most Trees Planted in 24 Hours
The initiative is part of broader restoration efforts to rehabilitate more than 5.1 million hectares of degraded land.
It also seeks to address environmental challenges such as drought, flooding, and erratic rainfall patterns.
Also Read: World Record Bid as Kenyan Environmentalist Takes on 24,000-Tree Planting Marathon
Kiplagat’s Passion for the Environment
Hillary is the co-founder of the Green Earth Ambassadors Foundation, a youth-led environmental organization focused on restoring Kenya’s degraded ecosystems through large-scale tree planting and active community participation.
His vision extends beyond record-breaking achievements, centering on uniting communities to plant, nurture, and protect trees as a lasting commitment to future generations.
He stresses that every tree planted symbolizes hope, responsibility, and shared action to restore and protect the environment.
