Mutahi Kahiga joins Nyeri residents to witness Truphena Muthoni’s attempt to break 72 hours tree-hugging world record
By Cynthia Lodite, December 9, 2025Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga has joined Nyeri residents in witnessing Truphena Muthoni’s attempt to break her 72-hour tree-hugging world record after past 48 hours attempt.
The event, which happened on Monday, December 8, 2025, saw the governor accompanied by his Deputy Governor alongside officials from the County Government.
“Together with Nyeri DG @kinaniriwaroe, we officially kicked off the countdown for the incredible Truphena Muthoni, 22. She is once again making Nyeri County proud as she attempts to break her own world record: moving from 48 hours of tree-hugging to an ambitious 72 hours,” Mutahi wrote.
Also watch: Muthoni’s mission to highlight the healing power of nature in mental health
Who is Muthoni
Worth noting, Muthoni, who is a sustainability musician and mental health advocate, came to the lime light early in the year as she attempted to break a Guinees World record of hugging a tree for 48 hours.
By the time she began her milestone, the then 21-year-old broke the Guinness World record, which at the time stood at 24 hours and 21 minutes.
At the time, Muthoni persevered through two cold nights, fighting swatting off mosquitoes and other insects and two days of scorching sun at the at John Michuki Memorial Park.
Her challenge started when Guinness World Records approved her application after three months of vigorous perusal.
“Being a mental health survivor, I find solace in nature, and that is why I took this challenge to hug a tree and create awareness on this monster that is causing havoc to the younger generation and general public,” Muthoni said in a past interview.
On doubling the current record, Muthoni said she derived her strength from her strong mental vitality and preparations for over five months.
Also watch: Tree-hugging record-holder Truphena Muthoni heads to Amazon for climate crusade
The record breaking moment was witnessed by Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) and United Nations Office at Nairobi (Unon), Ambassador Ababu Namwamba.
“This tree must be the most special tree in the world today, because this tree goes into the history books as the tree that Muthoni hugged for 24 hours-plus,” Ababu said, while commending her strength which he said is representative of the young people in Kenya and Africa.
“I look at Muthoni at 21 years old and I can see an indomitable spirit and I can see the spirit of Wangari Maathai living in her,” he added.
Ababu further promised, as Kenya’s representative to Unep and Unon, to lead from the front in holding Muthoni’s hand.