NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan environmentalist Hillary Kibiwott has completed a grueling 24-hour tree-planting marathon in a bid to set a new Guinness World Record.
Kibiwott was later rushed to hospital shortly after the feat as officials moved in to verify the final count.
The endurance challenge took place at Kessup Forest Station in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, beginning at 11:00 AM on April 22, 2026 and concluding exactly 24 hours later at 11:00 AM on April 23, 2026.
Kibiwott, a co-founder of the Green Earth Ambassadors Foundation, undertook the attempt with support from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and was officially flagged off by Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich.
Over the course of the marathon, he planted 23,326 seedlings, averaging roughly 16 trees per minute.
While official confirmation is still pending, the effort is believed to have surpassed the previous record held by Canadian environmentalist Antoine Moses, who planted 23,060 trees in 2021.
Following the completion of the challenge, Kibiwott was immediately taken to hospital for medical attention as verification teams began the process of confirming the final tally and validating the record attempt.
The feat comes amid Kenya’s broader climate action agenda, which targets the planting of 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of national efforts to restore forest cover to 30% and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Kibiwott’s attempt also adds to a growing wave of environmental activism in the country, following recent high-profile awareness campaigns such as those by Truphena Muthoni.
Muthoni, 22, was recognised by Guinness World Records for hugging a tree continuously for 72 hours as part of her environmental awareness drive.
