A 24-hour tree-planting push in Elgeyo Marakwet County has ended with more than 23,000 seedlings planted in a single continuous effort, as Hillary Kibiwott pushed through day and night in a bid to set a new Guinness World Record while backing Kenya’s forest restoration drive.
The challenge unfolded at Kessup Forest within the wider Kaptagat ecosystem, where activity began at 11am on Wednesday and ran non-stop until 11am on Thursday, drawing attention from government officials, conservation teams and supporters who followed the intense exercise from start to finish.
Hillary Kibiwott, co-founder of the Green Earth Ambassadors Foundation, carried out the planting on a cleared 50-acre plantation area, working under close supervision and steady coordination to keep the flow of seedlings moving throughout the 24-hour period.
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By the time the attempt came to an end, he had recorded a total of 23,326 trees planted, falling slightly short of the 24,000 target but still marking one of the most demanding environmental endurance efforts seen in the region.
He wore a tracksuit throughout the exercise and kept a shovel in hand as he moved continuously through the designated planting zones, supported by prepared seedlings and teams managing supply and monitoring progress.
The operation was closely observed by forestry officials and government representatives who were stationed at Kessup Forest Station during the entire duration of the challenge.
Among those present were Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi, National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, and Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko, who monitored the exercise as it progressed through the 24-hour cycle.
According to the State Department for Forestry, their presence reflected the government’s focus on large-scale tree planting efforts and community-driven environmental restoration programmes.
In his remarks, Gitonga Mugambi praised the initiative and connected it to Kenya’s broader environmental plans.
“I congratulate Hillary Kiplagat Kibiwott, Co-founder of the Green Earth Ambassadors Foundation, as he takes on the extraordinary challenge of planting more than 24,000 trees within 24 hours in pursuit of a Guinness World Records title. His effort speaks to a wider national mission, one that reflects Kenya’s commitment to restore degraded landscapes, safeguard vital water catchments, and realise the President’s ambition of growing 15 billion trees by 2032. It is an example of what bold, community-driven action can look like. A moment to draw climate action inspiration from.”
The Kessup Forest site, located within the Kaptagat ecosystem, has remained a key focus area for restoration efforts due to its role in supporting water catchment systems and protecting surrounding landscapes that have faced environmental pressure over time.
The attempt also highlighted a growing trend where environmental conservation is linked with endurance challenges, drawing public participation and awareness around climate action and forest recovery.
Officials from the forestry sector noted that such activities work alongside government programmes aimed at expanding tree cover and restoring degraded ecosystems across different parts of the country.
Kenya continues to pursue long-term targets for reforestation, with plans to grow billions of trees as part of its broader climate action strategy and environmental protection goals.
Kibiwott’s effort has also been seen as part of a rising wave of youth-led environmental initiatives encouraging communities to take active roles in tree planting and land restoration.
As the exercise concluded, attention shifted to verification of the final figures and assessment of whether the attempt meets the requirements for Guinness World Record recognition.
Regardless of the final outcome, the 24-hour effort has drawn recognition as a strong display of coordination, endurance and commitment to environmental restoration at a time when climate action remains a national priority.
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