NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan climate activist Truphena Muthoni is preparing to attempt a new environmental world record by hugging 1,172 trees within one hour during a climate advocacy visit to Brazil later this month.
The planned feat was announced in Parliament on Wednesday by Mark Mwenje, who introduced the activist to lawmakers and highlighted her environmental advocacy work.
According to the legislator, Muthoni is scheduled to travel to Brazil on March 22, 2026, where she will also meet indigenous communities as part of broader climate awareness efforts.
“Truphena will be travelling to Brazil on March 22, 2026, to engage with indigenous communities and is trying to set another record by hugging 1,172 trees within one hour, which will take her about two to three seconds per tree,” Mwenje told the House.
If successful, the attempt would surpass the current record recognised by Guinness World Records for the most trees hugged in one hour.
The existing record of 1,123 trees was set by Abubakar Tahiru in Auburn, Alabama, United States, on March 25, 2024.
Mwenje also noted that Muthoni plays a prominent role in Kenya’s environmental agenda as an ambassador for the government’s national tree planting programme spearheaded by President William Ruto.
“More importantly, she’s the ambassador for the government, appointed by His Excellency President William Ruto, for planting 15 billion trees by 2032,” the MP said.
Kenya’s ambitious reforestation initiative aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of a strategy to increase national forest cover, restore degraded landscapes, and strengthen climate resilience.
Muthoni first gained widespread attention after completing a marathon tree-hugging challenge in Nyeri County, where she hugged a tree continuously for 72 hours to raise awareness about forest conservation.
The feat was later verified by Guinness World Records, confirming that she had surpassed the previous benchmark of 48 hours — a record she had also set earlier in 2025.
Since then, the activist has become a visible voice in Kenya’s climate movement, advocating for reforestation, environmental protection, and the preservation of indigenous tree species.
