Ruto Names Tree-Hugging Activist Truphena Muthoni Tree Planting Ambassador

Kenyan President William Ruto has honoured 22-year-old climate activist Truphena Muthoni following her world record for tree hugging. 

Muthoni, who embraced an indigenous tree for 72 hours in Nyeri County, was appointed ambassador for Kenya’s 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign and awarded the Head of State Commendation Medal. At a ceremony in State House, Nairobi, President Ruto praised Muthoni’s dedication, describing her as an exemplary young Kenyan whose efforts reflect the nation’s spirit. 

Her achievement, though unconventional, aligns with Kenya's climate goals, particularly its ambitious reforestation plans under the 15 Billion Tree Planting Campaign. The President also commended Muthoni’s creativity in drawing attention to environmental conservation. 

He emphasised that her symbolic gesture supports the country’s broader efforts to restore degraded landscapes and expand tree cover. The campaign is a central part of the government’s climate strategy.

The event included lighter moments when Muthoni jokingly asked President Ruto how long he thought he could hug a tree. The President, smiling, declined to try but expressed his support for her advocacy. 

“My job will be to cheer you on,” he said.

Muthoni’s achievement has received widespread institutional backing. The Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Tourism Board offered her and her team a fully sponsored holiday, acknowledging the physical and emotional toll of her record attempt. 

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry also pledged to support her long-held dream of visiting Brazil, a country she admires for its conservation efforts. Muthoni’s record attempt in Nyeri followed earlier setbacks. Initially planning the challenge in Brazil, she was forced to shift the location due to limited institutional support. 

Despite heavy rains, she persevered, completing the 72-hour challenge outside the Nyeri County Governor’s office. Her accomplishment adds to her previous 48-hour tree-hugging record, further cementing her role in global climate activism.