Truphena Muthoni to hug 1,172 trees in Brazil

Kenyan environmental conservationist Truphena Muthoni/FILE

Gilgil MP Martha Wangari on Wednesday introduced Kenyan environmental conservationist Truphena Muthoni to the National Assembly, announcing her upcoming attempt to set a new world record in Brazil.

Truphena, a 22-year-old student at Mount Kenya University, was recognised while seated in the Speaker’s Gallery during parliamentary proceedings, where Wangari informed MPs that the young activist will travel to Brazil on March 22 to engage with indigenous communities and attempt a new environmental record.

According to Wangari, Muthoni will try to hug 1,172 trees within one hour, a feat that would require her to move from one tree to another in roughly two to three seconds.

“Allow me, honourable members, to recognise Miss Truphena, a Kenyan environmental conservationist and advocate for climate action, sustainability and mental health awareness,” Wangari told the House.

She will be travelling to Brazil on March 22 to engage with indigenous communities and will be attempting to set another record by hugging 1,172 trees within one hour.

MP Mark Mwenje added that beyond the record attempt, Muthoni is also serving as Kenya’s ambassador for the national tree-planting programme aimed at restoring the country’s forest cover.

He urged lawmakers to support the initiative through environmental projects in their constituencies.

“She is the ambassador for the government’s tree-growing programme and through various initiatives, including projects supported by the National Government Constituencies Development Fund, honourable members can assist her in achieving this target,” he said.

Truphena has gained global recognition for her unusual but symbolic environmental activism centred on tree hugging as a call to protect forests and promote a deeper connection between people and nature.

The Mathira-born activist first captured attention in early 2025 when she hugged a tree continuously for 48 hours at Michuki Memorial Park in Nairobi, setting a record that drew public interest and environmental advocacy support.

She later surpassed that feat between December 8 and 11, 2025, when she embraced an indigenous tree for 72 hours at the Nyeri Governor’s Office grounds, enduring hunger, fatigue and harsh weather conditions during the three-day effort.

The record was later confirmed by Guinness World Records, placing her among a growing list of Kenyans recognised globally for unique achievements.

For Muthoni, the endurance challenge has always carried a deeper message.

She has previously said the act is meant to promote environmental conservation, highlight indigenous ecological knowledge and raise awareness about the mental and emotional benefits of reconnecting with nature.

Her efforts have also drawn recognition from William Ruto, who appointed her an ambassador for Kenya’s ambitious tree-growing campaign aimed at planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

With the Brazil attempt, Truphena now hopes to combine environmental activism with another record-breaking moment while engaging global communities on climate action and forest conservation.