Guinness World Records Responds After Kenyans Demand Official Recognition for Truphena Muthoni’s 72-Hour Tree-Hugging Feat
Guinness World Records (GWR) has responded after thousands of Kenyans flooded its social media platforms demanding the formal recognition of 22-year-old environmentalist Truphena Muthoni, who recently completed an extraordinary 72-hour tree-hugging marathon in Nyeri.
Muthoni undertook the three-day challenge in a bid to set a new world record for the longest time spent hugging a tree. The attempt, which concluded earlier this week, surpassed her own previous effort of 48 hours recorded in February 2025.
According to organisers present at the site, Muthoni remained fully committed to the challenge throughout the entire period, using the marathon both as a personal test of endurance and as a symbolic protest aimed at highlighting deforestation, climate change, and the importance of conserving indigenous tree species and traditional knowledge.
Her attempt quickly captured the public imagination, prompting Kenyans to bombard the Guinness World Records’ comment sections with appeals for immediate verification.
One user, Fredrick Timotheo, wrote: “We have a world record holder in Kenya! Truphena Muthoni sets a new world record for hugging a tree for 72 hours.”
Another, Billy Jabos, questioned the delay from the record-keeping body, asking: “Kenya is a small village, huh? You can’t recognise Truphena’s record?”
A more detailed appeal was made by Mungai Nation, who urged GWR to accelerate the verification process:
“Dear Guinness World Records, Kenya respectfully asks you to fast-track the verification of Truphena Muthoni’s 72-hour tree-hugging record. This was not a casual attempt; it was discipline, resilience, and the true spirit of a Kenyan heart on full display. We understand your procedures take time, but so does hugging a tree for three days straight. Surely, both efforts deserve efficiency.”
Others injected humour into the exchange. Felister Njeri commented: “When are you guys coming to Kenya to crown our princess? And don’t forget to bring dollars. Come with something like 500 million—it will really help!”
Guinness World Records Responds
Following the surge of online pressure, Guinness World Records replied to several Kenyan commentators, acknowledging the public interest but stressing that the required verification process must still be followed.
In brief statements issued beneath various posts, the organisation noted that it had not yet recognised nor rejected Muthoni’s attempt, emphasising that official evaluation can only begin once formal evidence is submitted.
“We look forward to receiving the evidence,” GWR stated, adding that all submitted material would be reviewed to determine whether the 72-hour feat meets the standards necessary for ratification.
As of December 12, no final decision has been issued.
Muthoni Addresses Public Questions
Following the widespread attention, Muthoni also responded to online queries—particularly concerns about how she managed to endure 72 hours without leaving the tree for food, water, or bathroom breaks.
She confirmed that she had trained extensively for the challenge and did not step away from the tree during the entire duration of the marathon. Her clarification came after many social media users expressed scepticism about the physical feasibility of remaining in one position for three consecutive days.
If verified, Muthoni’s feat would mark one of the most unusual and symbolic endurance records attempted this year, and would place the young environmentalist among Kenya’s growing list of globally recognised record holders.
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Guinness World Records Responds After Kenyans Demand Official Recognition for Truphena Muthoni’s 72-Hour Tree-Hugging Feat