Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) Ababu Namwamba has hailed Truphena Muthoni for breaking the Guinness world record for the longest time spent hugging a tree.
The 21-year-old Muthoni hugged the tree at the Michuki Park in Nairobi from Friday, January 31, 2025, at 6:10 pm, to Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 6:32 pm.
Namwamba on Muthoni’s record
Taking to his official X account on Saturday night, Namwamba stated that Muthoni’s historic feet had drawn global attention to the phenomenal power of the youth to be consequential champions for climate action, sustainability and deploying nature for mental health and wellness.
“Congratulations Muthoni for your incredible tree hugging WORLD RECORD achievement this evening at Michuki Park in Nairobi. Your historic feet has drawn global attention to the phenomenal power of the youth to be consequential champions for climate action, sustainability and deploying nature for mental health and wellness,” the former Sports Cabinet Secretary said.
He went ahead to state that Muthoni’s Wangari Maathai spirit inspires Kenyans to step forward and make the earth better, safer, and sustainable.
“Your Wangari Maathai spirit inspires us all to step forward and make the earth better, safer, sustainable, for ourselves and for generations yonder. Delighted to witness you write history live. Hongera SHUJAA!” Namwamba stated.
Congratulations Muthoni for your incredible tree hugging WORLD RECORD achievement this evening at Michuki Park in Nairobi. Your historic feet has drawn global attention to the phenomenal power of the youth to be consequential champions for climate action, sustainability and… pic.twitter.com/HUm76zRuXV
— Hon Ababu-Namwamba, EGH🇰🇪 (@AbabuNamwamba) February 1, 2025
Muthoni on her record
Speaking at Michuki Park after setting the new record, Muthoni said that she is not yet done as she intends to set a new record of 48 hours.
She further encouraged Kenyans to embrace the culture of hugging trees, which she says helps in boosting someone’s mental health.
“I am trying to encourage people to embrace the culture of tree hugging because it is good to boosting our mental health and also recharging ourselves…We now have urban development that is killing our natural resources. I want people to really go back to nature because it has the real healing power. I am a mental health survivor and I find solace in nature,” Muthoni said.
Tree hugging is said to reduce stress, improve immunity, and lower blood pressure among other benefits.
The longest time to hug a tree has been 24 hours 21 minutes and 4 seconds, which had been achieved by Abdul Hakim Awal in Kumasi, Ghana, from May 22 to 23, 2024.
Abdul attempted this record to highlight the importance of nature conservation.
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