- Tree-hugging world record holder Truphena Muthoni has explained why she failed to submit evidence to Guinness World Records on time after completing her 72-hour challenge
- Truphena revealed she faced intimidation, extortion, and behind-the-scenes sabotage from individuals managing her livestream and videography
- She claimed the person in charge of her footage demanded over KSh 200,000 to release the video, and witnesses’ contacts required by Guinness World Records
Tree-hugging champion and world record holder Truphena Muthoni has finally explained why she did not submit evidence to the Guinness World Records on time after her triumphant finish of the 72-hour challenge.
Source: Facebook
Truphena became an inspiration to many in December 2025, when she wrapped her hands around a tree for 72 hours, in an attempt to break her own 48-hour record, which she set in February 2025.
Why didn’t Truphena Muthoni submit evidence on time?
Speaking to GTN TV, the 22-year-old now explains the behind-the-scenes struggles and intimidation she endured before she received her footage of the challenge and the contact information for her witnesses, whose statements were required by Guinness World Records.
She said the person in charge of her videography during the challenge started playing dirty after she was thrust into the limelight, and they demanded more than KSh 200,000 just to surrender the video to her.
According to Truphena, the person allegedly used intimidation and threats, saying they would soil her image on social media if she failed to pay the money he demanded.
The world record holder said she tried her best to keep this matter off social media, but it ultimately affected her and delayed the process of submitting the evidence for the 72-hour challenge.
“I did not know that there was a hidden agenda by the people who ran my challenge live. There was a push and pull that lasted days. Too much intimidation because they first demanded KSh 2,000. They then asked me for KSh 118k. But I declined, then they demanded KSh 50k. I do not know why they turned their backs on me yet I really depended on them for me to get my evidence,” she said.
When did Truphena Muthoni get her evidence?
The young woman said she was forced to go to the person’s house and she had to give out KSh 20,000 for her get her footage for submission to Guinness.
The person also warned her that they would not stop until they tarnished her image on social media.
“When I was going to Dubai, they really pressured me, saying by the time I was coming back, they’d have ruined my brand,” she said.
Truphena also claimed that the money she received through her TikTok was also withdrawn without her consent and that she was not told why.
Was Truphena Muthoni’s challenge ratified?
In other news, on Monday, January 26, Truphena’s record was finally ratified by the Guinness World Records.
In a heartfelt post, Guinness acknowledged Truphena’s 72-hour challenge, which raised awareness on the conversation of the environment and indigenous trees.
In December, Guinness ratified her 48-hour record.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
