Truphena Muthoni in Kenya got the worldrecord

22-year-old Truphena Muthoni began her marathon on Monday, December 8, 2025, in front of the governor's office in Nyeri, under the watchful eyes of her supporters, county officials, and onlookers. Her goal is noble: to improve upon her previous record of 48 hours, set in February 2025, to an impressive 72 hours. The environmental activist is nearing the finish line of her ambitious 72-hour challenge to hug trees continuously. She started the marathon in front of the governor's office in Nyeri. From the outset, Muthoni described the event as more than just an endurance competition. She called it a "silent protest" against deforestation, a call to protect native forests, and a personal statement about mental health through reconnecting with nature. Deforestation in Kenya remains a critical problem, despite legal prohibitions and reforestation initiatives. Forest cover approximately 5-6% of the country's land area, with ongoing losses primarily due to illegal activities and land use for agriculture. The scale of the deforestation is immense. In the Mau Forest, Kenya's largest water reservoir, roughly 19% of the tree cover was lost between 2001 and 2022, mainly due to logging and cultivation. Satellite data continues to report losses, including 6,826 logging alerts between late November and early December 2025, covering 84 hectares. The annual loss is estimated at 12,000 hectares, and this trend persists despite conservation efforts. Illegal logging for charcoal, firewood, and timber is driving the destruction, exacerbated by land occupations, cattle ranching, and droughts. Corruption and weak border enforcement facilitate expansion into reserves such as Mau Narok and Olpusimoru. Climate change and poverty are exacerbating the pressure, particularly in mangrove forests and drought-stricken areas. Kenya plans to plant 15 billion trees and has already planted 750 million by 2025, in addition to 1.3 million on International Day of Forests. Initiatives like the Greenbelt Movement and a new Mau restoration plan aim for 10% forest cover by 2030, but circumvention of the logging ban in Mau is drawing criticism. Public concern about deforestation stands at 47%, higher than the global average. “The reason we hug trees is that it has a therapeutic effect. There are many mental health crises worldwide that are directly linked to environmental destruction,” said Truphena. Truphena accepted the challenge, even though it was quite difficult. She endured heavy rain, cold nights, and physical exhaustion—all while hugging her chosen tree without food, water, or breaks. And she persevered! Supporters were on hand, offering umbrellas, blankets, heaters, and moral support. Her endeavor garnered widespread support, from local residents and environmental activists to political leaders. Among them, former Vice President Rigathi Gachagua urged her to "keep going" and complete the 72-hour challenge. He described it as a powerful statement for environmental protection and mental health awareness. And she did it! Truphena Muthoni achieved a new world record by hugging a tree continuously for 72 hours in Nyeri. This feat, completed on December 11, 2025, surpasses her previous personal record of 48 hours, set earlier in 2025, and the previous global record of 24 hours and 21 minutes held by a Ghanaian. @https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025-12-11-two-hours-to-go-muthoni-nears-tree-hugging-record Citations: @https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/aufforstung-in-kenia-ertreib-im-kampf-gegen-waldzerstoerung-100.html @https://redd.unfccc.int/files/national_frl_report_for_redd__in_kenya.pdf @https://news.mongabay.com/2023/11/deforestation-continues-in-kenyas-largest-water-capturing-forest-satellites-show/ @https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/KEN/ @https://www.wwf.de/themen-projekte/projektregionen/kenia-und-tansania/duerre-in-kenia/die-not-in-kenia-waechst-taeglich @https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/kenya-unveils-mau-forest-restoration-master-plan/ @https://www.wwf.de/themen-projekte/projektregionen/kenia-und-tansania/gute-nachrichten-fuer-die-waelder-ostafrikas @https://www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/press/59453/joint-statement-on-the-lifting-of-the-logging-ban-in-the-mau-forest-complex/