Murang’a pastor tries to break Truphena’s record with 80-hour tree-hug
By Cynthia Lodite, January 5, 2026Kenyan Pastor from Murang’a James Irungu, popularly known as Jimmy, has kick-started his eigty hour long hugging tree attempt in an attempt to beat Truphena Muthoni’s recent seventy-two-hour-long hugging tree attempt.
The Murang’a-based evangelist began his attempt on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 9:27 pm and is expected to complete it on Thursday, January 9, 2026, at 5:27 pm.
Truphena’s bag of goodies
His attempt comes just weeks after Truphena Muthoni successfully completed her 72-hour-long hugging tree attempt and was awarded by the State a number of goodies.
At the time, President William Ruto awarded environmental activist Truphena Muthoni the Head of State’s Commendation (HSC) after her 72-hour hugging record went viral.
In a post on his official X account on Monday, December 15, 2025, Ruto announced that he has awarded Truphena the HSC for her exemplary service to environmental stewardship.
“As a mark of national honour for her exemplary service to environmental stewardship, I have conferred upon Truphena Muthoni the Head of State Commendation (HSC) Medal,” he said.
On his part, Ruto praised Truphena, stating that her dedication and determination embody the very best of our Kenya’s spirit.
Truphena was awarded the prestigious award on Monday, December 15, 2025, at the State House, Nairobi.
At the time, Ruto acknowledged that indeed her 72-hour record was a symbolic gesture aimed at raising national and global awareness on environmental conservation and climate change.
“Truphena Muthoni is an exemplary young Kenyan whose dedication and determination embody the very best of our nation’s spirit. I had the pleasure of engaging with her in my office following her remarkable and record-breaking act of spending 72 continuous hours embracing an indigenous tree, a deeply symbolic gesture aimed at raising national and global awareness on environmental conservation and climate change,” Ruto said.
Ruto further appointed Truphena Muthoni as the Ambassador of the 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign, a signature national initiative dedicated to securing Kenya’s environmental future.
“In recognition of her courage, fortitude, and laudable leadership, I have appointed her as an Ambassador of the 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign, a signature national initiative dedicated to securing Kenya’s environmental future,” Ruto added.
With more goodies, the President has awarded Truphena a fully sponsored holiday experience.
“In further appreciation of her inspiring efforts, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Tourism Board have extended to her and her team a fully sponsored holiday experience,” Ruto added.