When Truphena Muthoni wrapped her arms around an indigenous tree and refused to let go for three days, she did not know where it would lead. This week, it led her to State House.
President William Ruto today Monday, hosted the 22-year-old climate activist in Nairobi, days after she broke the world record for the longest tree hug for 72 continuous hours. The act, both physically demanding and quietly symbolic, has now earned her a national role and one of the country’s highest civilian honours.
In a brief ceremony, the President appointed Ms Muthoni an ambassador of Kenya’s 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign, a flagship programme aimed at restoring forest cover and slowing environmental degradation. Ruto also conferred on her the Head of State Commendation (HSC) Medal.
“She is an exemplary young Kenyan whose dedication and determination embody the very best of our nation’s spirit,” Ruto said.
President Ruto praised Ms Muthoni for choosing a form of protest that was both creative and accessible. Her action, he said, helped bring environmental protection into everyday conversation.
In a video shared online, Ms Muthoni asked the President how long he thought he could manage hugging a tree himself. The question drew laughter.
“My dear, I do many things, but I do not want to try that one. That one I leave to you. My job will be to cheer you on,” Ruto replied. “
Beyond the medal and title, other gestures followed. The Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Tourism Board offered Ms Muthoni and her team a fully sponsored holiday, acknowledging the physical and emotional strain of the endurance challenge. The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry also pledged to support her long-held wish to visit Brazil, where she hopes to learn from conservation efforts linked to the Amazon.
Ms Muthoni’s journey did not begin with this record. She had previously held a 48-hour tree-hugging mark, which she later extended. Her original plan was to attempt the 72-hour challenge in Brazil, but a lack of backing forced her to rethink. Determined, she carried out the feat in Nyeri County, braving heavy rain while embracing a tree outside the county governor’s office.
Her protest was meant to do more than set a record. She has said it was a call to draw attention to climate change, environmental damage and mental health, issues she believes are deeply connected.
As Kenya looks to plant billions of trees in the years ahead, the challenge will be turning symbolic moments into lasting change.
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