President William Ruto has appointed environmental activist Truphena Muthoni as an Ambassador of the 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign, praising her for a powerful and record-breaking environmental demonstration that has captured national attention.
In a statement on his X account after meeting Muthoni at State House on Monday, the President lauded Muthoni for spending 72 continuous hours embracing an indigenous tree, an act he described as deeply symbolic and courageous.
“Truphena Muthoni is an exemplary young Kenyan whose dedication and determination embody the very best of our nation’s spirit,” President Ruto said.
He noted that her action was aimed at raising both national and global awareness on environmental conservation and climate change.
In recognition of what he termed her “courage, fortitude, and laudable leadership,” the President said he had appointed her as an Ambassador of the 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign, a flagship government initiative focused on restoring Kenya’s degraded landscapes and safeguarding the country’s environmental future.
He emphasized that young people like Muthoni are key to driving climate action and inspiring communities to protect natural resources.
President Ruto also announced additional support for the young environmentalist, saying her efforts had not gone unnoticed across government agencies.
“In further appreciation of her inspiring efforts, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Tourism Board have extended to her and her team a fully sponsored holiday experience,” he said. The gesture, he added, was meant to recognise the personal sacrifice and commitment shown during her campaign.
Beyond local recognition, the government will also support Muthoni’s exposure to global environmental initiatives. According to the President, “the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry will support the realisation of her dream to visit Brazil,” where she will have an opportunity to learn from international conservation efforts and strengthen her environmental leadership.
As a mark of national honour, President Ruto said he had conferred upon Muthoni the Head of State Commendation (HSC) Medal for her exemplary service to environmental stewardship. The award places her among Kenyans recognized for outstanding contributions to the nation.
Climate activist Truphena Muthoni on Thursday set a new world record after hugging a tree for 72 consecutive hours, a feat she hopes will spotlight the urgency of climate action while surpassing her own previous milestone.
Muthoni who had previously broken the 48-hour tree-hugging world record in February at Nairobi’s Michuki Memorial Park, undertook the three-day endurance challenge outside Nyeri Governor Kahiga Mutahi’s office in Nyeri town with stricter conditions she set for herself — no food, no water, and no breaks — while maintaining continuous contact with the tree.
Guinness World Records had since acknowledged Muthoni’s recent tree-hugging record attempt, which drawn widespread attention online.
In a statement, the global records body said her attempt this week in Kenya, inspired by “a deep-rooted passion for trees and the vital role they play in our ecosystem,” has generated significant engagement on its social media platforms.
“We know Truphena’s fans are excited to hear the results and we look forward to receiving and assessing the evidence,” Guinness World Records said, adding that “for now, her current record stands at 48 hours, achieved earlier this year in Nairobi.”
