Meet 21-year-old Truphena Muthoni, who broke a Guinness World Record for hugging a tree for an extended period. The environmental conservationist hugged the tree at Michuki Park in Nairobi on Saturday, 1 February 2025.
The Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), Ababu Namwamba, has lauded Truphena for her efforts. Her remarkable resilience, not only in breaking the Guinness World Record but also in environmental conservation, is commendable.
Tweeting on his X page, Ababu Namwamba wrote, "Congratulations, Muthoni, for your incredible tree-hugging world record achievement this evening at Michuki Park in Nairobi. Your historic feat has drawn global attention to the phenomenal power of youth as consequential champions for climate action, sustainability, and deploying nature for mental health and wellness."
The former Cabinet Secretary for Sports explained that Muthoni's remarkable achievement will draw global attention to the outstanding activities of youths in Kenya, especially Gen Zs. He said that youths in Kenya should emulate Muthoni and champion issues such as climate change, environmental conservation, tree planting, and raising awareness of mental health and wellness.
Congratulations Muthoni for your incredible tree hugging WORLD RECORD achievement this evening at Michuki Park in Nairobi. Your historic feet has drawn global attention to the phenomenal power of the youth to be consequential champions for climate action, sustainability and... pic.twitter.com/HUm76zRuXV
- Hon Ababu-Namwamba, EGH?? (@AbabuNamwamba) February 1, 2025
"Your Wangari Maathai spirit inspires us all to step forward and make the earth better, safer, and more sustainable for ourselves and future generations. Delighted to witness you write history live. Hongera SHUJAA!" Namwamba said.
The 21-year-old said that this was not all she wanted to achieve. Speaking at Michuki Park, she aims to extend her record to 48 hours. She encouraged Kenyans to go green and embrace the culture of hugging trees. According to her, hugging trees is a good way of relieving stress and anxiety, which facilitates good mental health.
"I am trying to encourage people to embrace the culture of tree hugging because it is good for boosting our mental health and recharging ourselves... We now have urban development that is killing our natural resources. I want people to really go back to nature because it has real healing power. I am a mental health survivor, and I find solace in nature," Truphena Muthoni said.
Tree hugging has been said to improve one's immunity, lower blood pressure, relieve stress and anxiety, and provide other benefits.
Truphena Muthoni is not the only one who has attempted this record. Abdul Hakim Awal from Kumasi, Ghana, broke the record by hugging a tree from 22 to 23 May 2024, for 24 hours, 21 minutes, and 4 seconds. He broke the record with the message of environmental conservation.
