Imagine wrapping your arms around a tree for 72 grueling hours; no sleep, no food, just raw determination and a burning passion to save our planet.
That’s exactly what 22-year-old Kenyan environmental warrior Truphena Muthoni did in Nyeri earlier this month, smashing her own previous record and captivating the nation.
Now, her unbreakable spirit has earned her something even more transformative; a fully sponsored academic scholarship from Mount Kenya University (MKU) on December 18, 2025, at MKU’s Thika Main Campus, Professor Peter Wanderi (Principal – Corporate Services) proudly presented the award on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor.
Truphena, beaming with gratitude, plans to dive into an environment-related course starting January 2026.
“This scholarship fuels my fire,” she shared. “Education will amplify my voice and help me drive real, lasting change for our forests and climate.”
MKU praised her endurance activism as a perfect match for their commitment to youth-led climate action, a proof that one person’s bold stand can inspire institutions to invest in the future.
However, Truphena’s story doesn’t stop there. Her epic 72-hour tree-hug, completed on December 11, 2025 is still under Guinness World Records review
Thruphena through her leaked chats with the GWR officials, promised to upload the evidence. She shut down online rumors, that her approval had been downplayed: “Ignore the false info; approval is coming soon!”
Her official 48-hour record from earlier this year stands strong, already etched in GWR history. Truphena’s momentum is unstoppable:
She has been honored with the Head of State Commendation (HSC) medal by President William Ruto, appointed ambassador for Kenya’s ambitious 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign, and even adopting a forest in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service.
From a lone hug in the rain to national hero status, Truphena Muthoni is proving that hugging trees isn’t just therapeutic—it’s revolutionary. Her journey is far from over, and Kenya and the world can’t look away.
