NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has officially recognized 22-year-old climate activist Truphena Muthoni for her extraordinary endurance and environmental advocacy during a special reception at State House, Nairobi. The event celebrated Muthoni’s recent success in shattering the world record by hugging an indigenous tree for 72 consecutive hours.
In a move to integrate her passion into national policy, the President appointed Muthoni as an ambassador for the 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign. This national initiative is the cornerstone of Kenya’s strategy to rehabilitate degraded landscapes and secure the country’s ecological future.
During the ceremony, the President awarded the young activist one of the country’s high civilian honours.
“As a mark of national honour for her exemplary service to environmental stewardship, I have conferred upon Truphena Muthoni the Head of State Commendation (HSC) Medal,” President Ruto announced.
The President lauded her for utilizing creative and symbolic gestures to mobilize the public toward conservation. To assist with her recovery from the physically grueling challenge, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) have provided a fully sponsored holiday for Muthoni and her support team.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry has pledged to facilitate her long-standing ambition to travel to Brazil, providing her with a platform to engage with international conservation leaders.
The meeting included a viral, light-hearted exchange when Muthoni playfully challenged the Head of State’s own endurance.
“I hugged a tree for 72 hours, how long can you go?” she asked.
President Ruto, amid laughter from the attendees, jokingly declined the challenge. “My dear, I do many things, but I do not want to try that one,” he replied. “That one I leave it to you. My job will be to cheer you on.”
Turning to a more serious note, the President encouraged her to remain a trailblazer: “Break records and support us on matters environment and all the good things that you are doing,” he urged.
Resilience in the face of adversity
Muthoni’s 72-hour feat is an extension of her previous 48-hour record. Her symbolic act was designed to highlight the intersection of climate change, deforestation, and mental health.
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Her journey to the record was not without obstacles. While she had initially hoped to perform the feat in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, a lack of institutional backing forced her to pivot.
Undeterred, she completed the challenge in Nyeri County, where she endured heavy downpours while maintaining her embrace of a tree outside the Governor’s office.
In a follow-up statement, President Ruto characterized Muthoni as “an exemplary young Kenyan whose dedication and determination embody the very best of our nation’s spirit.”
He emphasized that her achievement resonated globally, providing a powerful visual metaphor for the world’s need to protect its natural heritage.
