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Hugging her way into Guinness World Records book? Inside Truphena Muthoni’s second bid
11th December, 2025 12:52 PM
Truphena Muthoni, a 22-year-old Kenyan, has wrapped her arms around yet another world record as she weathered the Nyeri night and blistering day heat as she strove to break and set a new world record for the longest tree-hugging marathon.
Muthoni, known for her extraordinary endurance and passion for spreading love through hugs, has moved the country as she breaks her second Guinness World Record.
Also watch: Guinness World Records awaits proof as Kenyans rally for Muthoni’s 72-hour tree-hugging feat
The young environmental activist aims to advocate against deforestation and the protection of animal rights in her 72-hour tree-hugging silent protest.
She began her 72-hour marathon on December 8, 2025, in Nyeri County and wrapped it up on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 12:30pm.
Muthoni, a sustainability musician and mental health advocate, persevered through three cold nights fighting off mosquitoes and other insects and four days of scorching sun to double the current record-holding time, which stood at 72 hours.
At the time, a number of Nyeri residents stood at a distance watching her hug her way into the Guinness World Records book.
Several leaders took the centre in rallying her to complete the 72-hour record, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga.
Symbolism of her outfits
Meanwhile, on the other hand, beyond the endurance and the powerful gesture itself, many Kenyans have been drawn to the colours she is wearing, each carrying a deep meaning tied to environmental justice, identity, and resistance.
Truphena’s choice of colours is not random but a statement; speaking during an interview with a local station on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, she said that each colour is a form of visual protest.
She says black represents African power, protest, and resilience. In this moment, black is her way of saying that environmental protection is also an African struggle, one rooted in identity and dignity.
Also watch: Muthoni’s mission to highlight the healing power of nature in mental health
The touch of green on her clothing represents reforestation, regeneration, and hope. As she hugs the tree, green becomes a symbol of the future she is fighting for, one where forests are restored, ecosystems are revived, and communities can still rely on nature.
In addition, Truphenas said that red is a colour tied to indigenous resistance and frontline courage. Blue on her attire is a tribute to water protectors and ocean defenders.
“Black means African power, protest, and resilience; green is for reforestation, regeneration, and hope; while red means indigenous resistance and frontline courage and blue water protectors and ocean defenders,” Truphena said.
Her goal was to break her own Guinness World Record, which she set earlier this year after hugging a tree for 48 hours at Nairobi’s Michuki Memorial Park.
Past world record
Her earlier 48-hour tree hug at Nairobi’s Michuki Memorial Park earned her national recognition and praise from environmental groups.
She said then that nature had helped her heal emotionally, and she hoped her actions would help others talk more openly about mental health.
This new challenge is meant to raise awareness about deforestation, climate change, and mental-health struggles among young people. Truphena has also included a three-hour blindfolded segment to highlight the experiences of visually impaired people and to link conservation to social justice.
