When Kirinyaga-based environmental enthusiast Truphena Muthoni finally released her embrace on a mugumo tree after an exhausting 72 hours of continuous hugging, villagers ululated, social media erupted, and many Kenyans celebrated what they believed was a new entry into the Guinness World Records.
It was an extraordinary display of physical endurance, mental grit and environmental advocacy, the kind of feat that often finds its way into the famous record book.
But as the dust settled, it quickly became clear that while Muthoni’s achievement was impressive, it cannot be officially recognised by Guinness World Records (GWR) just yet.
Shortly after videos of her final minutes went viral, Kenyans trooped to the official Guinness World Records Facebook page, eager to alert the London-based organisation of the potential new record.
One user, Fredrick Timotheo, commented, “We have a world record holder in Kenya. Truphena Muthoni sets a new world record for hugging a tree for 72 hours.”
However, GWR’s response was measured and procedural:
“We look forward to receiving the evidence.”
Those seven words pointed to a reality many didn’t know: that Guinness World Records does not automatically recognise any achievement simply because it happened.
The organisation must first receive, review, verify, and approve detailed evidence.
Until that rigorous process is completed, a record remains unofficial.
What stands between Muthoni and the record?
To the public, Muthoni’s 72-hour embrace seems to obviously dethrone the current world record of 24 hours, 21 minutes, 4 seconds, held by Abdul Hakim Awal of Kumasi, Ghana, a feat achieved between May 22 and 23, 2024.
But Guinness World Records operates under strict, internationally recognised protocols designed to ensure every record is legitimate, replicable and fairly judged.
It also has clear rules about who is eligible to attempt a record.
Individuals under the age of 16 are not permitted to attempt or hold certain records, and those between 16 and 18 must provide parental or guardian consent before their attempt can be considered.
This aims to protect minors from unusually strenuous or risky feats.
Here is what Muthoni’s attempt must pass through:
Application and approval step
Before attempting any record, participants must apply on the Guinness World Records website and receive approval of the category, guidelines and rules.
If Muthoni did not submit a pre-attempt application or receive the formal guidelines beforehand, she may be required to submit a post-attempt application, which takes longer and faces stricter scrutiny.
GWR categories often have precise definitions, such as what constitutes “continuous hugging,” whether rest breaks are allowed, and how timing must be measured.
Strict evidence requirements
Guinness requires a mountain of documentation before it considers ratifying a record.
For time-bound endurance feats like tree-hugging, these are typically required:
a) Continuous 24/7 video recording
The entire attempt must be captured on uninterrupted video, without any cuts.
The footage must clearly show the participant, the tree, the attempt area, time-stamped proof and visibility of any breaks (if permitted).
b) Independent witness statements
Guinness requires two independent witnesses per shift.
These individuals must not be friends, relatives or organisers involved in the attempt.
Each witness signs a detailed logbook.
c) Timekeeper logs
Evidence must include official timing records and a certified timekeeper or established timing system.
d) Medical assessment
Because endurance records risk physical harm, Guinness typically requires pre-attempt health clearance and post-attempt medical report confirming well-being.
e) Photographic evidence
High-resolution photos showing the start, middle, end, surroundings and participant’s position relative to the tree.
f) Stewards’ logs
Designated stewards must keep detailed minute-by-minute logs noting activity, rest breaks and rule compliance.
Without these, the attempt is considered unverifiable.
Post-submission review
Submitting evidence is only half the journey. Once Guinness receives the materials, its review team begins a forensic evaluation, sometimes taking up to 12 weeks or longer.
Fees and applications
Attempting a Guinness World Record does not automatically cost money.
For an existing record, the standard application process is free, though if the attempt involves proposing a totally new category there is a small administration fee of about £5/$5.
Guinness also offers optional paid services, like priority application and priority evidence review, which can accelerate processing but are not required to secure a title.
"If you're an individual, simply register or sign in and explore our database of over 47,000 current record titles to find the one you would like to apply for. If you wish to suggest a new record title, don't forget to read our record criteria and policies," GWR says.
Once you have chosen a record title, you are required to fill out the online application form.
"We strongly advise you to read all of the information on our website before making your application, to save time and disappointment," it adds.
During this phase, they may request additional footage, ask for clarifications, reject parts of the evidence, ask for witness credentials and also seek further proof of rule compliance.
Attempts fail at this stage more often than many realise, not because they are fake, but because documentation is incomplete or doesn’t follow guidelines to the letter.
Official confirmation or rejection
Guinness only declares a record after its verification team is satisfied.
Until then, no certificate is issued, no media announcement is made, the attempt remains unofficial, and this is where Muthoni stands today.
What Kenyans witnessed was undoubtedly extraordinary.
Videos of the challenge show supporters cheering, medics nearby, and Muthoni leaning on the tree with unshakeable resolve.
But viral success does not equal world record status.
She, or her organisers, must now compile all required evidence, submit it through the Guinness portal and await review.
Only then will it be known whether her 72-hour embrace becomes Kenya’s next global record.
Why the process
Guinness World Records represents more than achievement; it stands for credibility.
Records are celebrated globally because they are verified with scientific and procedural thoroughness.
Without verification, cheating could go undetected, inconsistent rules could skew fairness and public trust would erode.
