In a remarkable feat of endurance and environmental advocacy, 21-year-old Truphena Muthoni from Kenya has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest time spent hugging a tree. The record-breaking moment occurred at Michuki Memorial Park in Nairobi, on the evening of Saturday, February 1, at 6:32 p.m. Muthoni surpassed the previous record of 24 hours and 21 minutes, set by Ghanaian Abdul Hakim Awal, by hugging a tree for a total of 24 hours and 22 minutes.
Muthoni began her tree-hugging challenge at 6:10 p.m. on Friday, January 31, and remained embraced with the tree until the official record-breaking moment the following evening. The historic achievement was celebrated in the presence of key figures, including Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Ababu Namwamba. Friends and supporters cheered Muthoni on as she completed the final seconds of her incredible journey.
In his congratulatory message, Ababu Namwamba highlighted the importance of Muthoni’s record for both the environment and mental well-being. “Congratulations, Muthoni, for your incredible tree-hugging world record achievement,” he said. “Your historic feat has drawn global attention to the phenomenal power of the youth to be champions of climate action, sustainability, and using nature for mental health and wellness.”
Namwamba also linked Muthoni’s efforts to the legacy of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai, whose environmental activism and passion for nature continue to inspire many. He urged everyone to follow Muthoni’s example in creating a more sustainable world.
Muthoni’s passion for nature and mental health recovery played a central role in her decision to embrace tree hugging. She shared that her connection to nature helped her heal from mental health struggles, and she hopes to inspire others to reconnect with the environment. “Urban development is destroying natural resources, so I want people to reconnect with nature because it has real healing power,” she explained.
As a mental health survivor, Muthoni emphasized the restorative benefits of spending time with nature, advocating for people to embrace tree hugging as a practice for improving mental health. “I found peace and healing in nature, and I want others to experience that too,” she added.
Through her world record, Muthoni not only championed the mental health benefits of nature but also raised awareness about the urgent need for environmental preservation. Her extraordinary accomplishment has drawn attention to the importance of balancing urban development with environmental conservation, ensuring that future generations can benefit from the same natural resources that provide healing and solace.
As Muthoni’s tree-hugging journey continues to inspire people around the world, her achievement serves as a reminder of the power of nature to heal and the responsibility we all share in protecting it for the future.