Kenyan climate activist Truphena Muthoni is preparing for another historic environmental feat as she plans to attempt a new world record by hugging 1,172 trees within one hour during an upcoming trip to Brazil.
The planned record attempt was revealed in Parliament on Wednesday, March 11, by Mark Mwenje, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi West, who introduced Muthoni to lawmakers while highlighting her environmental advocacy work.
According to the legislator, Muthoni will travel to Brazil on March 22, 2026, where she will also hold meetings with indigenous communities as part of her global climate awareness campaign.
Record Attempt Requires Speed and Precision
Speaking in Parliament, Mwenje explained that the ambitious record will require Muthoni to hug each tree within two to three seconds in order to reach the target of 1,172 trees within the one-hour time limit.
“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 lawmakers.
If successful, the record would surpass the current global record listed by Guinness World Records.
Current Record Held by Ghanaian Environmentalist
The current record for most trees hugged in one hour stands at 1,123 trees, achieved by Abubakar Tahiru of Ghana.
Tahiru set the record in Auburn, Alabama, United States, on March 25, 2024, according to Guinness World Records.
Muthoni’s planned attempt aims to break this mark by hugging 49 more trees within the same time frame.
Ambassador for Kenya’s Tree Planting Campaign
Mwenje also highlighted Muthoni’s role in Kenya’s national environmental efforts.
He noted that the activist serves as an ambassador for the government’s ambitious 15-billion tree planting campaign, a program championed by William Ruto that aims to increase forest cover and combat climate change by 2032.
Through the initiative, the government hopes to restore degraded ecosystems, improve biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience across the country.
Rise to National Recognition
Muthoni first captured national attention after completing an extraordinary environmental challenge in Nyeri County, where she hugged a tree continuously for 72 hours.
The feat was later officially ratified by Guinness World Records, confirming that she had surpassed the previous 48-hour record — a milestone she had earlier set in 2025.
Her achievements have since made her a prominent voice in environmental activism in Kenya, particularly in campaigns promoting reforestation and the protection of indigenous tree species.
Global Environmental Advocacy
Beyond record-breaking attempts, Muthoni has used her growing platform to advocate for climate action and sustainable environmental practices.
Her upcoming visit to Brazil will also focus on engaging with indigenous communities that play a crucial role in protecting forests and preserving biodiversity.
Environmental advocates say the record attempt is expected to draw international attention to Kenya’s reforestation efforts and inspire more people to participate in tree-planting initiatives.
If successful, Muthoni could once again place Kenya on the global environmental stage while reinforcing the message that protecting forests is essential in the fight against climate change.
