This Kenyan climate activist has broken the tree hug record again — this time for 72 hours
Kenyan climate activist Truphena Muthoni has set a new personal record after hugging a tree continuously for 72 hours to draw attention to climate change and deforestation.
The event took place in the town of Nyeri, where Muthoni chose an indigenous tree within a government compound. She surpassed her previous 48-hour record, remaining attached to the tree for three days with only brief pauses for water and medical checks.
“This peaceful protest is important because it bypasses all differences. It triggers humanity and reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect nature,” she told local media.
Her supporters gathered throughout the challenge, encouraging her when fatigue set in and helping to cover the costs required for Guinness World Records officials to observe the attempt. At one point, Muthoni nearly fell asleep but was kept alert by those cheering her on.
She said the protest was aimed at emphasising the growing risks posed by climate change and the continued loss of forest cover in Kenya and across Africa. Despite contributing relatively little to global carbon emissions, Africans are among the most vulnerable to climate-related shocks such as droughts and extreme weather.
She explained that her black clothing represented African resilience and protest, green stood for regeneration and reforestation, red symbolised indigenous resistance, and blue symbolised the struggle to protect water sources and oceans.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
