Truphena Muthoni. /FACEBOOKWhen the Guinness World Records finally ratified Truphena Muthoni’s latest feat of hugging a tree continuously for 72 hours, it crowned her not just as a record breaker, but as one of Kenya’s most visible young environmental advocates on the global stage.
Yet behind the striking images of endurance, discipline, and calm demeanour lies a deeply personal story shaped by faith, early childhood conviction, and an unwavering belief in peaceful environmental action.
Speaking on Radio Jambo on Thursday, Muthoni opened up about the roots of her conservation journey, revealing that her path into environmental activism did not begin with records or global acclaim but with what she describes as divine inspiration at a very young age.
“I consider it divine dispensation—an inspiration I got while aged five, even though I didn’t know what I was doing at that time,” she said.
“I was intent on conserving the environment. I was just doing things, and I feel that’s how it all started.”
That instinctive pull toward nature, she said, never left her. Years later, it would crystallise into deliberate advocacy and eventually into record-breaking action that has drawn international attention.
Muthoni formally began advocating for trees in 2022, focusing on indigenous species, environmental education and policy advocacy.
By 2024, she had taken a bold step—applying to Guinness World Records. Approval came in January 2025, when she successfully completed her first attempt: hugging a tree for 48 hours straight at the age of 21.
Her parents, she said, never questioned the path she chose.
“I didn’t need to convince them. They know me. They know how it would all end because they know it’s something I can do,” she said.
Faith and discipline have played a central role in preparing her body and mind for extreme endurance.
Muthoni said she is born again and regularly fasts, a lifestyle she believes gave her an advantage during the gruelling challenges.
“I can fast for up to seven days — that’s my lifestyle,” she said.
Ironically, she described her first 48-hour attempt as far more difficult than the now-famous 72-hour challenge that has since been ratified by Guinness.
“The 72-hour challenge was very simple to me because the 48-hour challenge was my first time,” she said. “Even the practice approach was different.”
For her first attempt, Muthoni said she trained intensely for five months, combining physical endurance with long walks — at one point hugging a tree for five hours before walking 42 kilometres.
The second attempt, she said, demanded a different kind of preparation.
“For the 72-hour challenge, I didn’t do so much physical exercise. It was mostly mental—meditating, grounding, and creating music,” she said.
Few knew that music plays a quiet but critical role in her coping mechanisms. Muthoni revealed that she is an instrumentalist and sings as part of her meditation routine.
“I play acoustic guitar,” she said, adding that while she has done covers, they are purely for personal gratification and remain a hobby.
The challenge itself was unforgiving. There were no breaks — no restroom visits, no water, no diapers. Success, she said, lay in mental alignment.
“It’s your mind aligning with your body. Once you practise mentally that something should not happen to your body, it will not happen,” she said.
Originally, the 72-hour challenge was supposed to take place in Brazil under rainy conditions, something she said she had trained for as well.
“I’m always prepared for weather, even in dressing — not too heavy and not too light,” she said.
Muthoni completed her 48-hour tree-hugging record-breaking attempt between January 31 and February 2, 2025, at Michuki Memorial Park in Nairobi.
This feat was officially recognized by Guinness World Records in December 2025.
She later attempted a 72-hour, 4-day challenge from December 8 to December 11, 2025 and received ratification on January 26, 2026.
Muthoni said waiting for Guinness World Records to ratify the achievement proved almost as taxing as the challenge itself.
Ratification can take four to five months, and prior approval is mandatory.
“It’s natural to be nervous. You must be nervous until you see the results,” she said, cautioning aspiring record breakers that endurance alone is not enough.
“To be approved, your evidence must be verifiable, and you must have applied first. It doesn’t matter how many hours you go — if they told you not to attempt a challenge, it’s all a waste,” she said, noting that timestamped video evidence is required.
Since the record was confirmed, Muthoni says her phone rarely stops ringing. “But I’m okay with it. Many just want to motivate me,” she said.
While Guinness World Records does not offer direct cash rewards, Muthoni acknowledged that recognition opens doors.
“You become part of a global community of record breakers. Brands aligned to your work want to work with you,” she said.
She disclosed that currently she has no manager and deals directly with brands through her foundation, breaking the norm where many in her position would consider delegating that role to an individual.
Beyond the hugging milestone, Muthoni insists her focus currently is mass environmental action where she and her team are eyeing two more record attempts, with tree-planting taking precedence.
“During World Turtles Day, we plan to plant 1.2 million mangroves in one hour—that will be our first record attempt this year,” she said.
She also revealed plans to work with the Manu Chandaria Foundation to establish 100,000 tree seedling nursery at a school in Nyeri.
Muthoni welcomed those attempting to replicate her tree-hugging challenge, dismissing claims that it diminishes her achievement.
“No one is reducing my glory,” she said. “That was one of my goals — to see people embracing trees as a form of protest. It’s peaceful, and it creates the right attention.”
However, she issued a firm warning: preparation is non-negotiable.
“You can come out fine now, but in two years suffer kidney failure, which is irreversible,” she cautioned.
She also dismissed reports that she was hospitalised after completing the 72-hour challenge.
“Those ambulances you saw were just the easiest way to get me out of there,” she said, explaining that crowds outside the Nyeri governor’s office posed safety risks.
“I never went to hospital. I refreshed and went to another event. A doctor came later in the night.”
Away from activism, Muthoni revealed that she is studying international relations but did not dilvulge more details about her education background.
On matters relationships, she said she is single and unapologetic about it.
“I don’t have a partner. I’ve never had one, and for now, I don’t want one,” she said.
On handling criticism, she said, is simply not part of her mental discipline.
“Part of my practice is staying away from negative energy. I don’t need to deal with it — I have better things to do.”
The fifth-born in a family of six, Muthoni was born in Mathira constituency 22 years ago.
She politely declined to share more personal details, saying her full story will be told in a future memoir.
“I want to tell my full story in a book,” she said, but offered surface insights about her unique sense of fashion.
Her striking multi-coloured braids carry a deeper meaning than many imagine, she said.
The braids are 17 in number, she explained, representing the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“These are climate justice colours,” she said.
“Black represents African power, protest and resilience. Blue is for water protectors. Green is for reforestation and hope. Red is for indigenous resistance.”
How does she handle fame, you may wonder? "Easy", she said.
She currently does not use public service, not out of pride, but for a sense of privacy.
"I would, but I currently don't," she said, admitting that her preferred means of transport now demands that she spend a little more than she would when using a matatu.
She revealed that fame has brought subtle lifestyle changes, including receiving preferential treatment in public spaces, such as during a recent trip to Dubai where she was spared certain phases of checks.
Still, she insists she remains grounded.
“For now, there’s no plan for another tree-hugging challenge,” she said, then quickly added, “Tree-hugging will continue—not for records, but for symbolism.”
Her parting message was one of gratitude and collective responsibility. “I’m thankful for the media and Kenyans for supporting me from my first attempt through the second,” she said. “We co-exist with the environment. You are part of the family.”
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