Truphena Muthoni, a 22-year-old environmentalist and climate activist from Nyeri, is currently in her second day of a grueling 72-hour tree-hugging marathon as a silent protest against deforestation and a bid to break her own Guinness World Record.
Muthoni began her three-day challenge on December 8, 2025, an event officially flagged off by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who has supported her efforts to raise global awareness on environmental issues.
This attempt follows her successfully setting the Guinness World Record for the longest tree hug earlier this year (February 1, 2025) with a time of 48 hours.
Silence Speaks Volumes in Truphena Muthoni’s Fight for the Planet. Photo: Courtesy.
In an interview, Muthoni detailed her intense preparation and the physical demands of the marathon, explaining that she trained for months to endure the ordeal without eating or sleeping for extended periods.
While Guinness World Records rules typically allow for short breaks, Muthoni has opted to go non-stop.
The current marathon in Nyeri was not Muthoni’s original plan.
She revealed her intentions to a local YouTuber, claiming that her original plan to perform the marathon in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil was thwarted by “injustices” and bureaucratic hurdles at the Ministry of Environment, which blocked her travel.
Undeterred, she brought her cause home to Nyeri, turning the local event into a powerful statement of resilience for indigenous trees, community rights, and mental health awareness.
As part of her advocacy, she plans to spend three hours of the marathon blindfolded to honor people living with disabilities.
