Kenyan woman hugs tree for 72 hours in protest against loss of beloved trees

A 22-year-old woman is the subject of celebration after she hugged a tree continuously for 72 hours amid fluctuating temperatures and rainfall on the foot of Mount Kenya. Truphena Muthoni’s endurance embrace beat her own 48-hour endurance earlier this year. On Friday, the Guinness World Records recognized her 48-hour feat, a day after she surpassed it in the attempt that lasted 72 hours. “The longest marathon hugging a tree is 48 hours and was achieved by Truphena Muthoni (Kenya) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 31 January to 2 February 2025,” read the announcement by the Guinness World Records.

Muthoni celebrated this recognition. “It s finally home. My 48 hours for the longest marathon hugging a tree have been recorded. Thank you God.

Thank you Kenyans for your support. Now waiting for the 72 hours of non-stop tree hugging to be recorded,” Muthoni announced on Facebook. In her latest feat, Muthoni remained steadfast, with her arms wrapped around the mature Roystonea regia (royal palm) tree, that stood close to the local Nyeri county government offices, until she could hug no more.

The public, government officials, police officers and medical personnel surrounded and cheered her throughout the exercise. Truphena Muthoni, who hugged a tree for 72 hours in Kenya’s Nyeri County, on the foot of Mount Kenya. The challenge ended on December 11, 2025. Photo: Mutahi Kahiga X For Muthoni, the 72-hour “silent protest” was meant to specifically hold authorities and a complacent public to account for irresponsible tree cutting, forest land use change...This article was originally published on Mongabay