Guinness World Records has officially confirmed Kenyan environmentalist Truphena Muthoni’s 72-hour tree hug as the longest marathon hugging a tree in the world.
In a statement released on Monday, January 26, 2026, Guinness World Records (GWR) said Muthoni’s record attempt was aimed at promoting the protection of indigenous trees and recognising the wisdom of Indigenous communities.
“Truphena’s goal with this record attempt was to elevate and advocate for the protection of Indigenous trees and to honour the wisdom of Indigenous peoples,” GWR said.
The organisation noted that Muthoni broke her own previous record of 48 hours, which she had set in May 2025. Her new 72-hour achievement officially extends her earlier world record.
The confirmation comes weeks after the Kenyan environmentalist dismissed online claims suggesting that her latest record attempt had been rejected. At the time, Muthoni clarified that she was still engaging Guinness World Records as part of the verification process.
Her achievement has earned her widespread recognition both in Kenya and internationally. The milestone culminated in a rare meeting at State House on Monday, December 15, where President William Ruto personally recognised her efforts.
During the meeting, President Ruto announced that Muthoni would be appointed an ambassador for the government’s 15 billion tree-planting campaign, a flagship initiative aimed at restoring forest cover and safeguarding Kenya’s environmental future.
The President also said that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) would jointly offer Muthoni and her team a fully sponsored holiday, in recognition of the role environmental conservation plays in promoting sustainable tourism.
With the official ratification of her 72-hour tree hug, Truphena Muthoni joins a growing list of Kenyans who have achieved Guinness World Records. Previously, most Kenyan record holders were athletes, including Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon, Kelvin Kiptum, Beatrice Chebet, Ian Wambui, and Agnes Ngetich.
About The Author
