Truphena Muthoni: Profile of Kenyan Environmentalist Who Hugged a Tree for 72 Hours

Truphena Muthoni is a Kenyan environmentalist who has broken her own record for hugging a tree for 72 hours.

On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Muthoni began an attempt to continuously hug a tree for 72 hours, aiming to break her previous record of 24 hours set in February 2025.

Early Life and Education

Truphena Muthoni was born and raised in Mathira Sub-county, Nyeri County, Kenya.

She attended Parklands Baptist Primary School and later joined Naromoru Girls’ High School. Since childhood, she has shown interest in environmental conservation through her role as a scout rover.

Also Read: Truphena Muthoni Breaks Silence After 72-Hour Tree Hug, Reveals Next Move if Guinness Ratifies Record

She has held several roles in relation to commitment to environmental conservation, peacebuilding, and community service:

• Crusader at Kisumu Environmental Champions

• Messenger of Peace, One Man Peace Campaign

• Brand Ambassador, Rotaract Club of Eco Warriors 

• Assistant Commander, Wings over Wilson Air Scout Open Troop

• Rover Scout, Kenya Scout Association

• Representative, Youth For Kenya 

During her 72-hour challenge, she blindfolded her face after completing 48 hours to pay tribute to the people living with disabilities to highlight the experiences of visually impaired individuals and their heightened vulnerability to climate-related risks.

Records Muthoni She Holds

Earlier in 2025, she hugged a tree in Michuki Memorial Park, Nairobi, from 6:10 p.m. on Friday, January 31, to 6:32 p.m. on Saturday, achieving a total duration of 24 hours and 22 minutes.

The record-breaking moment was witnessed by Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Ababu Namwamba, along with Muthoni’s friends, who counted down the final moments until she officially set the record.

Muthoni later broke her own record on 11th December 2025 by undertaking a 72-hour continuous tree-hugging challenge. The challenge was designed to promote environmental conservation, climate action, and disability inclusion.

Also Read: Guinness World Records Speaks on Truphena Muthoni’s 72-Hour Tree-Hugging Attempt

Leaders Applaud the 22-Year-Old

In her quest to attempt to break her previous record, notable leaders, including former President Rigathi Gachagua, wished her all the best.

“Truphena Muthoni, push on, my daughter. I strongly encourage you in your conservation efforts, not only to break your record in the Guinness World Records for hugging a tree but also to raise awareness about environmental conservation and the mental health challenges associated with it. Your visionary thoughts must inspire the world to rethink its approach to conservation and mental health issues,” said the former Deputy President.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who has been visiting Muthoni at the site of her tree-hugging challenge, expressed anticipation for the record-breaking attempt.

Truphena Muthoni plans to submit evidence of her achievement to the Guinness Book of World Records in the coming week.

On Friday, December 12, 2025, Guinness World Records stated that they had yet to receive the necessary evidence to certify Muthoni’s 72-hour tree-hugging attempt. This clarification followed a social media inquiry from a user named Maasai, who questioned why Guinness had not yet acknowledged her attempt.

In response, Guinness World Records stated, “We look forward to receiving the evidence.”

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