Kenyan environmental activist Truphena Muthoni has addressed public reactions following her appearance at this year's Mazingira Day celebrations.
The 22-year-old climate campaigner joined national tree-planting activities on Saturday, 10 October, at Thogoto Teachers Training College in Kikuyu.
Photographs of Muthoni wearing a short black skirt alongside colourful hair braids quickly circulated across social media platforms.
The online post generated substantial engagement, attracting over 5,900 comments. Several commentators questioned her attire, suggesting that a longer outfit or trousers would have been more appropriate for a public conservation event.
'My life is a sport'
Speaking during an interview on the Kururia TV podcast, Muthoni explained her choice of clothing and rejected suggestions that her outfit was unsuitable.
“I dress the way I feel I want to dress,” she stated.
"My life is a sport by the way, so that was a sport dress skirt, whatever and inside that skirt was a short very decent short," she said.
She urged critics not to place unnecessary emphasis on her wardrobe choices.
"People should stop overthinking. For me I feel my life is a sport... For me I take everything as a sport," she added.
Distinguishing environmental events from religious venues
During the broadcast, the podcast host highlighted online comments advising her to mind her dressing in the presence of elders.
Muthoni noted that community conservation efforts bring together individuals from all walks of life. She argued that environmental gatherings differ fundamentally from religious services.
"Event environment is not church," she observed.
She emphasised that environmental events are open spaces where diverse members of society participate. She added that meetings welcome pastors, community members, and clubgoers alike.
Muthoni acknowledged the public reaction while affirming that she felt comfortable in her attire.
“I recognize that how I dress affect how people feel and that is good...yes I acknowledge that it bothers people how I dressed that that Saturday. I felt good about myself and the skirts under the skirt was a very decent short.”
Record-breaking conservation efforts
Muthoni is widely known for her extreme endurance tree-hugging challenges aimed at promoting reforestation.
She previously set a Guinness World Record by completing a 72-hour tree-hugging marathon to raise awareness against deforestation. Her preparation involved a 35-hour practice session at Smallx Park alongside Kenyan scouts.
