Members of Parliament were on Wednesday introduced to Kenyan climate activist Truphena Muthoni, who is preparing for another attempt at a world record that aims to highlight the importance of protecting forests and trees.
The announcement was made in the National Assembly by Mark Mwenje, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi West, who informed lawmakers about the environmental campaigner’s upcoming mission.
According to the legislator, Muthoni plans to travel to Brazil on March 22, 2026, where she hopes to hug 1,172 trees within one hour in a bid to set a new global record. The activity is expected to draw attention to environmental conservation while also creating awareness about the role trees play in addressing climate change.
Mwenje explained to Parliament that achieving the target will require great speed and focus, as the activist will have to move quickly from one tree to another. Based on the plan, she will need to hug each tree in about two to three seconds to reach the total 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 stated while addressing the House.
Climate activist Truphena Muthoni flanked by Governor Kahiga Mutahi and his team and activists at the start of the 72-hour tree-hugging countdown on Monday, December 8, 2025. /KAHIGA MUTAHI/X
During her visit, Muthoni is also expected to interact with indigenous communities as part of her broader climate advocacy work. These engagements are meant to support conversations around conservation and the protection of forests, which remain critical in global climate action.
The MP further noted that the activist currently serves as an ambassador for the Kenyan government’s tree planting initiative. The programme, which is backed by President William Ruto, aims to plant 15 billion trees by the year 2032.
“More importantly, she’s the ambassador for the government, appointed by His Excellency President William Ruto, for planting 15 billion trees by 2032,” Mwenje added.
Muthoni first attracted national attention after hugging a tree continuously for 72 hours in Nyeri County. The effort was later verified by Guinness World Records, confirming that she had broken the previous record of 48 hours, which she had also set earlier in 2025.
Since then, she has continued to use such symbolic activities to promote environmental awareness, with a strong focus on reforestation and the protection of indigenous tree species.
The current record for the most trees hugged within one hour stands at 1,123, set by Abubakar Tahiru of Ghana in Auburn, Alabama, United States, on March 25, 2024.
Muthoni’s upcoming attempt seeks to surpass that mark while continuing to spotlight the importance of forests in the fight against Climate change.
