Veteran journalist Jeff Koinange recently returned to Citizen TV with his popular show Jeff Koinange Live after taking a break of several months.
His comeback quickly caught public attention, and he did not waste time addressing one of the most talked-about stories in Kenya.
On his first days back on air, Koinange hosted 22-year-old environmental activist Truphena Muthoni, whose latest achievement had already sparked national and international discussion.
Truphena Muthoni had just completed a demanding 72-hour tree-hugging challenge in Nyeri County.
The act saw her break her own earlier Guinness World Record of 48 hours, which she set earlier in 2025. Her latest effort pushed both her physical and mental strength to the limit, as she stood holding onto an indigenous tree for three straight days under harsh conditions.
The interview, aired last night, blended humor with serious reflection, a style Koinange is well known for.
During the conversation, Koinange leaned forward with a smile and asked a question that quickly became the highlight of the show. He said, “Truphena, you’ve hugged a tree for three full days without eating, sleeping, or even sitting enduring rain, exhaustion, and everything in between. But tell me honestly: Why didn’t you hug a cactus tree? That would have really tested your commitment!”
The question sent the studio into laughter and briefly lightened the mood of an otherwise intense discussion.
Muthoni laughed along before offering a calm and thoughtful response that clearly explained the deeper meaning behind her action.
“A cactus? Jeff, that would defeat the whole purpose!” she replied.
“I’m hugging indigenous trees smooth-barked, life-giving ones that represent our forests, our water sources, and our future. A cactus is prickly, painful, and from a different ecosystem. My hug is about love for nature, healing, and peaceful protest against deforestation and climate injustice. If I hugged a cactus, it would be punishment, not connection!”
Her words shifted the conversation back to the message she hoped to pass across through her endurance challenge.Koinange acknowledged her explanation and praised the symbolism behind her actions.
He noted that her effort had gone beyond breaking a record and had opened up wider conversations about environmental protection and mental health across the country.
The 72-hour tree hug began on December 8, 2025, at the Nyeri Governor’s office compound and ended on December 11.
Throughout the period, Muthoni followed strict rules she set for herself. She did not eat, drink water, sleep, or sit down, and she maintained constant physical contact with the tree.
The challenge was a silent protest, yet it spoke loudly to those who followed it in person and online.
This latest attempt built on her earlier 48-hour record, which Guinness World Records officially recognized in December 2025 for raising awareness about mental health through connection with nature.
This time, she wanted to draw attention to deforestation, the struggles of indigenous communities, and the added risks faced by persons with disabilities during climate-related disasters.
At one point, she blindfolded herself for several hours to symbolize these vulnerabilities.
Despite heavy rain and visible exhaustion, Muthoni continued until the end. Her determination attracted crowds, support from public figures, and wide media coverage.
After completing the challenge, she received several rewards, including KSh 1 million in cash, land offers, luxury gifts, and nominations for national honors from the Ministry of Environment.
Guinness World Records has confirmed that it has received the evidence for review, and many expect official certification in the near future.
