Alai takes aim at Truphena Muthoni over call for State support
By Joel Masibo, December 15, 2025Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has blasted environmental conservation activist Truphena Muthoni over her comment on reaching out for support from the Ministry of Environment in her tree-hugging marathons to raise awareness against deforestation.
Speaking in a local TV interview on Sunday, December 14, 2025, shortly after pushing her limits even with a 72-hour attempt, the environmentalist revealed that she had reached out to the Ministry for support before embarking on the 72-hour tree-hugging attempt at the Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga’s home.
The 22-year-old Muthoni completed the mission on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 12:25 pm local time, before her 48-hour tree-hugging record was ratified by the Guinness World Records for the longest marathon hugging a tree, an attempt she made at the John Michuki Memorial Park in February 2025.
Failed Ministry’s support
She revealed that Thursday’s attempt would have been done in Brazil, but the Ministry of Environment failed to offer support, forcing her to chase the record at the Nyeri Governor’s compound.
For Muthoni, love is the foundation of conservation. She believes people are more likely to protect what they feel emotionally connected to. By hugging trees, she hopes to inspire others to develop that connection and, in turn, take action against deforestation.
”When I was trying to achieve what I have already achieved, I did not get any support. I had requested support in different ways, but I did not get support from the Ministry of Environment. I requested accreditation support to go to COP 30, but I didn’t get it. This record I did in Kenya was supposed to happen in Brazil,” Muthoni said.
However, Alai has told off the youthful environmentalist on the comment about support from the Ministry of Environment, terming her campaign a selfish personal interest.
Alai’s attack
”Ministry should have sent Jackets for hugging trees or? I don’t understand what you wanted. There are things you do as an individual, and you don’t have to blame everyone who didn’t see sense in your selfish mission. Hugging trees isn’t planting any tree. Ni ukora tu,” Alai took to X on Monday, December 15, 2025.
However, Truphena Muthoni confirmed support from the family: ”My family is supportive, they are proud. Mostly it is a mental exercise; I do physical exercises. I walk for 42km nonstop. I do many tree hugs. Before I did these 72 hours, I had done 35 hours during Mazingira Day, and I did 60 hours later on during a scouts’ camp. I do fasting. During the hugging, I was not taking water, but during the practice, I was taking a lot of water to prepare for those 3 days. I never had the urge to go to the bathroom; I control it with my mind,” she said.
Meanwhile, tree-hugging symbolism is deliberately simple and inclusive. Anyone can hug a tree; anyone can participate.