A young environmentalist from Nyeri County, Truphena Muthoni, has set a new Guinness World Record and is setting the pace for youth climate action by hugging a tree for an incredible 72 hours.

Truphena Muthoni is a Kenyan environmental activist, ex-Scout, mental-health activist, and “sustainability musician.”

She describes her activism as rooted in a deep belief in the healing power of nature, especially forests and trees, and she applies endurance actions, as well as creativity (music and poetry), to demonstrate environmental conservation, mental health, and social justice.

Muthoni points out that her path to activism was influenced by being a survivor of mental health, and how reconnecting with nature, through tree-hugging, silence and stillness, creates a sense of comfort and clarity when dealing with stress, trauma, and the stresses and fast-paced pressures of modern life

In early 2025, Muthoni made headlines after attempting and achieving a prolonged tree-hugging marathon, which lasted long time, at Michuki Memorial Park in Nairobi.

Starting at 6.10 p.m. on January 31st and finishing at 6.32 p.m. on February 1st, she hugged a tree for 24 hours and 22 minutes, officially breaking the record that was then in place.

She didn’t stop there. She extended her hug, enduring two chilly nights, the swatting of mosquitoes, the overwhelming Nairobi heat by day, and reportedly reached 48 straight hours.

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Her feat drew wide praise. Kenya Forest Service (KFS) recognised the act as an ” inspiring” noting that even a simple act such as tree hugging can spark “healing and hope.”

The Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Kenya Ababu Namwamba, praised Muthoni for “drawing global attention to the phenomenal power of youth to be champions of climate action, sustainability and mental health.”

Muthoni described her motivation simply ‘Tree-hugging is therapy.’

She claimed that urban development and environmental degradation are alienating humans from nature, which she considers a basic requirement for mental health and human well-being.

A New Challenge: 72-Hour Tree-Hug

Following the popularity of her 48-hour hug, Muthoni has set herself a more difficult task this time, a 72-hour-long continuous tree-hugging marathon, but this time in her home county.

The effort was officially launched in December 2025, in Nyeri County, under the support of the county leadership, including the Governor.

“This is more than a record attempt. It is a powerful statement by a young person who believes in the healing power of nature,” Governor Kahiga said.

“Truphena is challenging all of us to rethink how we treat the environment and how we care for our mental health.”

“It’s not just about breaking another record,” Muthoni says.

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“This challenge is designed to draw attention to several interconnected causes,” she added

If successful, the 72-hour hug will establish a new global benchmark but also continue to affirm Muthoni as one of the most promising young activists of climate justice, mental-health, and community-centred activism in Kenya and beyond.

What Her Story Means – Why People are Watching

• Redefining Activism: The strategy of Muthoni, who is combining endurance art, nature therapy and symbolic activism is a challenge to the traditional expectations of how climate activism should look. It demonstrates activism as something personal, emotional and human, rather than policy documents and demonstrations.
• Young, Kenyan, Female, – A New Generation of Leaders: At her age, with humble roots in Nyeri county, Muthoni exemplifies what young people, especially women, can achieve: global visibility, global records, a voice in climate justice.

Nyeri County leadership including Governor Mutahi Kahiga have come together to show support to Truphena Muthoni