Michuki Park, once a dumpsite with an awful stench, and a criminal hideout, known for muggings and murders is on the verge of being on the Guinness World Records history.

This could be a reality after Truphena Muthoni, a 21-year-old Sustainability Musician and mental Health advocate kick started her journey to break the longest tree hugging marathon held by Ghanaian journalist Hakim Abdul at 24 hours.

“Today is a day of reckoning. From 6:00 pm Kenyan time, I will start my challenge to try and hug a tree for 48 hours doubling the current record of 24 hours,” said Muthoni.

According to her, the choice of Michuki Park is strategic because her inspiration was from the then Environment Minister John Michuki who played a great role in transforming the Park and the Nairobi River.

The Michuki Memorial Conservation Park, formerly known as Mazingira Park, is located along the Nairobi River from the Globe Roundabout to Museum Bridge and covers an area of approximately 10.4 hectares. 

It was named after the late Environment Minister, Hon John Michuki (1932-2012)  and was established in 2008 through concerted efforts geared towards creating a public recreation area at a site previously used as a dump site.

Unfortunately, the late Michuki effort has gone down the drain as the Nairobi River continues to choke with solid waste.

But Muthoni is optimistic that her little action of hugging a tree would reawaken the nation’s consciousness of protecting green spaces and forests.

“If we continue to de-franchise Mother Nature, our future is bleak. We should join hands and plant trees, protect wetlands, rivers and other biodiversity,” she said.

Her course is targeting to create awareness on the importance of Nature in fighting mental health issues which she terms as a pandemic in the country.

“Mental health issues are creating havoc among the youths and the general public, unfortunately, people do not appreciate Mother Nature’s power of healing. If you are stressed, just stroll in a neighbor’s park and hug a tree or sit under a tree,” she said.

To achieve her fate, Muthoni has been training for almost 5 months.

“I have been taking long walks every morning and evening averaging to 42 kilometres, this has helped in strengthening my muscles,” she added.

She has also engaged a yoga coach for mental preparedness.

“I have been fasting too,” she said.

To her, this is not a personal glory moment, but a nation coming together for a common good.

She will be accompanied by a team of scouts, a live band crew, family and friends and also the challenge will be aired live on Kameme and K24TV