Truphena Muthoni explains why she chose American Ash tree for her 72-hour hugging feat
Truphena Muthoni, an environmental conservation champion, has shared why she chose an American ash tree for her 72-hour tree-hugging feat.
In a candid conversation with a local media station on Sunday, December 14, 2025, Muthoni revealed that her decision was influenced by both practicality and comfort.
You might also like
“I hugged an American ash tree. It’s also significant in terms of wildfires, just because in that place it was available, and it was beautiful and comfortable,” Muthoni explained.
The 22-year-old, who hails from Nyeri, carried out the feat in the county offices compound. She said the choice of location was guided by safety and accessibility.
“Nyeri is home for me, that is where I was born. I did this in the county offices compound, it was a security and safety concern, and it was also the most available place,” she added.
Favourite tree
While the American ash was her tree of choice for the feat, Truphena revealed that her personal favourite is the mugumo tree, a species she has always loved.
“I love the mugumo tree,” Muthoni revealed.
Preparation for 72 hours
The environmental activist further explained that the 72-hour feat was mostly a mental exercise, supported by physical preparation.
She says, before embarking on the feat, she walked long distances, including 42 km nonstop, and had practised tree-hugging for long hours 35 hours during Mazingira Day and 60 hours later during a scouts’ camp.
Muthoni also does fasting and prepares for the 72-hour hug by drinking plenty of water during practice. During the actual feat, she did not take water and said she controlled the urge to use the bathroom through mental discipline.
In addition, the 22-year-old said her family was supportive and proud of her.
“My family is supportive, and they are proud. Mostly it is a mental exercise; I do physical exercises. I walk for 42 km nonstop. I do many tree hugs, before I did this 72 hours, I had done 35 hours during Mazingira Day, and I did 60 hours later on during a scouts’ camp,” she explained.
“I do fasting. During the hugging, I was not taking water, but during the practice, I was taking a lot of water to prepare for those 3 days. I never had the urge to go to the bathroom; I control it from my mind.”
