Kenyan teacher attempts to break world record for the longest maths lesson
Fenwick Cyril Maloba, a Kenyan teacher, is set to make history by attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon mathematics lesson.
Maloba will teach mathematics non-stop for 45 hours, starting this Friday, January 30, at 8:00 am, at Menengai High School in Nakuru County.
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In a post shared on his official Facebook page ahead of the challenge, Maloba said the bold attempt is meant to change how people view mathematics.
“I will be participating in a Guinness World Record™ attempt for the Longest Marathon Mathematics Lesson (Individual)! I’m taking on this 45-hour challenge to prove that “Maths is not a monster—it’s a marathon. “If I can teach it for 45 hours straight, anyone can learn it for life!” Maloba wrote.
In addition, Maloba says the record attempt is not just personal but also a chance to put Nakuru and Kenya on the global map, as Guinness World Records observers monitor the process.
“Let’s put Nakuru and Kenya on the global map. Your support and prayers will keep me going through the night,” he stated.
The event will be open to the public, with supporters encouraged to attend physically at Menengai High School or follow the lesson live on YouTube as it unfolds over nearly two days.
“I invite you to come and witness this journey in person at the venue or follow the action LIVE from anywhere in the world on YouTube here,” he added.
World record
In an official statement shared on Monday, January 26, 2026, the global records body noted that the record was previously held by several challengers, including Faith Patricia Ariokot from Uganda, who hugged a tree for 16 hours and six seconds in 2024, and Abdul Hakim Awal from Ghana, who extended it to 24 hours and 21 minutes the same year.
“The record was first broken in 2024 by Faith Patricia Ariokot (Uganda) with a time of 16 hr 6 sec. Abdul Hakim Awal (Ghana) broke it in 2024 with 24 hr 21 min 4 sec, and Truphena first came along in February 2025 to take the title with a total of 48 hr,” the statement said.
Truphena, they noted, first broke the record in February 2025, hugging a tree for 48 hours, before briefly losing it to Frederick Boakye of Ghana, who completed 50 hours and two minutes, only for Truphena to reclaim it with her 72-hour effort.
“Frederick Boakye (Ghana) very briefly held the record with a time of 50 hr 2 min 28 sec, before Truphena took it back with her record-shattering time,” the GWR statement read in part.
Guinness highlighted that Truphena’s achievement was not only a feat of endurance but also a powerful message for environmental conservation.
They hailed that the 22-year-old, who is the ambassador of the 15 Billion Trees Campaign, approached the challenge with careful preparation, including proper hydration and pacing, to respect her body’s limits while setting the record.
“22-year-old Truphena, who has founded her own initiative called Hug the Earth, told us: “The first attempt was a statement, a way to reintroduce humanity to the Earth through a simple, intimate act,” GWR wrote.
