Truphena: My next big goal after tree-hugging record

In December last year, Truphena Muthoni, 22, became a household name after hugging a tree for 72 hours in a powerful display of environmental activism.

Few people knew that her first attempt came earlier, in February, when she hugged a tree for 48 hours at the John Michuki Memorial Park in Nairobi.

Although she completed 72 hours, Guinness World Records officially recognised only the 48-hour mark, prompting her to make a second attempt that was ratified on January 26.

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The organisation described her as a “passionate environmental activist from Kenya sending a strong message about protecting the Earth after hugging a tree for three whole days.”

My hair and why I am single

Muthoni’s brightly colored hair, which has drawn wide attention, is also part of her environmental message.

She said the materials used are non-synthetic and meant to promote sustainable lifestyles, noting that many synthetic hair products contribute to environmental degradation.

Each colour carries a meaning. Black represents African power and resilience, red symbolises indigenous resistance and courage, blue stands for water protectors and ocean defenders, while green represents reforestation, regeneration and hope.

“I’ve had the green colour since 2022. The others came last year. It’s a style I love, not just a brand,” she said.

On her personal life, Muthoni said she is not dating and has chosen to focus fully on her goals.

“I’ve never dated, and I’m not dating. I’m sacrificing that part of my life for clarity and to focus on my dreams,” she said.

After long days of working on her projects, she said her favourite way to unwind is with a simple meal of fish and rice.

My next big challenge

Now a rising global figure in climate advocacy, Muthoni has set her sights on even bigger challenges.

She plans to attempt two more record-breaking environmental actions in May and June this year, this time working alongside partners and volunteers.

On World Turtle Day, marked on May 26, Muthoni plans to lead a mass mangrove planting exercise in Kwale County, targeting the planting of 1.2 million mangroves in one hour.

“Plans for this event are in high gear, but it will be a collective action. There will be other people and organizations participating,” she said.

The initiative will involve the Kwale County Government, the Kenya Forest Service and the Kenya Scouts Association, among others.

Mangroves play a vital role in supporting turtle populations. Their ecosystems provide a rich feeding ground, hosting plants, algae, crustaceans and small invertebrates that form part of the diet of species such as green turtles and juvenile hawksbills.

The shallow, calm waters also allow young turtles to forage with less energy while offering protection from predators.

Just days later, on June 6, Muthoni plans to attempt another ambitious feat by mobilising efforts to plant one billion trees in 24 hours. The initiative is meant to support the national goal of planting 32 billion trees by 2032.

She said her aim is to build a lasting culture of environmental stewardship driven by passion rather than policy.

“I want to bring people together through love, so conserving our planet comes from a place of care, not force or destruction,” she said.

Inspiration

Muthoni explained that her tree-hugging challenge was inspired by her personal connection to nature, which she describes as therapeutic and grounding.

She added that her second record attempt was largely motivated by a desire to give greater visibility to environmental conservation.

She said she does not have a single role model, noting that she draws inspiration from different people at various stages of her life.

My hobby

Outside activism, her main hobby is creating and playing music on her guitar, which she sometimes performs at small events in Nairobi.

Before gaining international recognition, Muthoni had achieved other high-level milestones, such as addressing the Major Group for Children and Youth in 2022, a United Nations platform that allows young people to participate in global policy discussions.

She also spoke at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Following her record-breaking achievement, she received a sponsorship from Mount Kenya University, where she is currently pursuing a degree in International Relations. She said the course will help strengthen her global advocacy work.