Truphena Muthoni, an environmentalist and world record holder for hugging a tree for 48 hours, has now opened up about what happened during her 72-hour attempt.
While speaking to Jeff Koinange and Olive Burrows on Citizen TV on Sunday, 14 December, Truphena said that during her 72-hour attempt at hugging a tree, she neither ate nor drank, slept, or even went to the washroom.
READ ALSO Meet Truphena Muthoni, Age, Biography & Education
“I wasn’t eating, I wasn’t drinking anything; it was a nonstop marathon. Sikuenda ile kitu (going to the washroom),” Truphena Muthoni said here.
The environmentalist revealed that although her arms were wrapped around the tree for 72 hours, she did not get tired. Nonetheless, she said she felt cold when it started to rain, but as she got used to it, she managed it better.
Truphena explained that she had prepared for the challenge, and even during practice, she had been rained on, which helped her during the 72-hour attempt. For instance, on the first day, the rain dried on its own, and on the second day, when it was too heavy, she had heaters to keep her warm.
“My arms didn’t get tired while I was hugging. I felt cold when it started raining, but I was able to manage it because I had already practiced for that as well. During practice, I was rained on. On the first day, it dried up on its own. On the second day, it was really heavy, so I had some heaters around me,” Truphena asserted.
Truphena Muthoni, 22, further revealed that during her attempt, she hugged an American ash tree, which is significant in terms of wildfires.
The young environmentalist said she chose Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga’s compound because it was not only the most accessible place but also ensured security and safety.
“I hugged an American ash tree. It’s significant in terms of wildfires, and it was available, beautiful, and comfortable. Nyeri is home for me. I did this in the Governor’s compound because of security and safety, and it was also the most accessible place,” she added.
During her act in Nyeri County, the music and culture student braved a heavy downpour as she hugged the tree.
Her interview at Citizen TV comes just a few days after she successfully completed her attempt of wrapping her arms around a tree in Nyeri County with the aim of breaking her previous record of 48 hours.
Since then, Truphena Muthoni has become a centre of attraction not only in the country but also across the world.
For instance, Guinness World Records officially approved her as the titleholder of Marathon Tree Hugging for the longest period (48 hours), shortly after completing the 72-hour challenge on December 11.
However, for her 72-hour hug attempt, Guinness World Records requires evidence in order to verify it and make it official.
READ ALSO Guinness World Records’ email Message to Truphena Muthoni
After her act of hugging the tree for an extended period, the 22-year-old also landed many deals and awards, with Adequate Safaris sponsoring her for a five-day trip to Dubai, as well as a cash reward of Shs 1 million from Odi Bet.
