For 48 hours, Truphena Muthoni, a 21-year-old Kenyan weathered the Nairobi night and blistering day heat as she strived to and broke, and set a new world record of the longest tree hugging marathon.

Muthoni, a sustainability musician and mental health advocate persevered two cold nights fighting swatting off mosquitos and other insects and two days of scorching sun to double the current record hold time, which stood at 24 hours and 21 minutes.

Her challenge started when Guinness World Records approved her application after three months of vigorous perusal.

“Being a mental health survivor, I find solace in nature and that is why I took this challenge to hug a tree and create awareness on this monster that is causing havoc to the younger generation and general public,” said Muthoni.

On doubling the current record, Muthoni said she derived her strength from her strong mental vitality and preparations for over five months.

The record breaking moment was witnessed by Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) and United Nations Office at Nairobi (Unon), Ambassador Ababu Namwamba.

“This tree must be the most special tree in the world today, because this tree goes into the history books as the tree that Muthoni hugged for 24 hours-plus,” said Ababu, while commending her  strength which he said is representative of the young people in Kenya and Africa.

“I look at Muthoni at 21 years old and I can see an indomitable spirit and I can see the spirit of Wangari Maathai living in her,” he added.

Ababu further promised, as Kenya’s representative to Unep and Unon, to lead from the front in holding Muthoni’s hand.

Verifying record

“I am so overwhelmed, happy and excited  that you are here to support me, and I acknowledge your contribution, I have been at the Unep offices in Nairobi several times and am looking forward to working with you,” she said.

To verify a Guinness World Record, you typically need to provide comprehensive evidence including detailed documentation of the attempt, high-quality video footage, signed witness statements from independent observers.

Others include official measurements or timekeeping data, and any relevant supporting materials specific to the record category, all adhering to the strict guidelines provided by Guinness World Records.

No break

Muthoni’s challenge began on Friday January 31, 2025 at the John Michuki Memorial Park at 6:10pm. As the first day of the month of February dusked at 6:31pm Muthoni equalled the previous record.

Though the Guinness World Records regulations gave Muthoni a window to take a rest for 2 hours after breaking the 24-hour mark due to sleep deprivation, Muthoni hugged non-stop aiming at her target of 48 hours.

“I am very excited because it is something I wanted to do but I did not have the framework for it, but I overcame the challenges,” she said.

By breaking the 48-hour record, Muthoni wanted to influence and raise awareness on how mental illnesses affect the society.

During the setting of the new world record, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Chief Conservator of Forest Alex Lemarkoko graced the event describing the fete as historic and one that will help people see conservation in a different perspective.

“I am sitting next to a champion who has done unprecedented activity, something that is basically unusual in normal terms,” Lemarkoko said.

He pointed out that numerous environmentalists have been planting trees and talking about poor management of our resources but it is unheard of for a courageous person such as Truphena who has hugged a tree for 48 hours.

After this fete, a team of emergency medical technicians from St John Ambulance conducted blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate among other basic tests and gave her a clean bill of health.

To comply with the live streaming requirement, Mediamax Network Ltd under Chief Executive Officer Ken Ngaruiya offered and streamed the whole 48 hours’ tree hugging live on Kameme and K24 TV, with Kameme FM, Milele FM and other platforms carrying the story daily.

The video evidence will be crucial in ratification of the new world record.

Neria Wamuyu, Muthoni’s mother could not hide her joy thanking the company for supporting her daughter’s dream.

“It has been an emotional moment for me to see my daughter live throughout on TV and also offering her security, may the company grow in leaps and bounds,” an elated Neria said.