Guinness World Records on Monday confirmed that Truphena Muthoni, a 22-year-old environmental activist from Kenya, has set a new world record for the longest marathon hugging a tree, completing a continuous 72-hour effort.
The record was set in Nyeri between December 8 and 11, according to Guinness World Records, and was aimed at raising awareness of climate change and conservation.
Muthoni said the act was intended to reinforce the idea that environmental care requires sustained commitment rather than symbolic gestures.
“Hugging a tree shows that nature is not separate from us, it is family,” Muthoni was quoted as saying by Guinness World Records.
Muthoni, who founded the initiative Hug the Earth, said her first attempt sought to reframe humanity’s relationship with the environment, while repeating the challenge emphasized endurance and consistency in climate action.
She also serves as an ambassador for Kenya’s 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign, a flagship national programme targeting large-scale reforestation.
Following the record, Kenyan President William Ruto received Muthoni at State House in December 2026 and appointed her as an ambassador for the 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign. She was awarded the Head of State Commendation Medal in recognition of her environmental advocacy.
Ruto praised her dedication and determination, describing her work as an example of exemplary service to environmental stewardship. The presidency said the recognition aligned with Kenya’s broader climate and conservation priorities.
Kenya’s reforestation campaign forms part of regional efforts to address deforestation, land degradation, and climate resilience.
