The Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Alex Lemarkoko, has met environmental advocate Truphena Muthoni, HSC, days after she set a world record by hugging a tree continuously for 72 hours in Nyeri County.
During the meeting, Lemarkoko said Muthoni’s environmental activism had drawn global attention to tree conservation and could be instrumental in advancing Kenya’s tree-growing agenda. He urged her to use her platform to rally public support for afforestation efforts, particularly among young people.
Partnership With Kenya Forest Service
Lemarkoko invited Muthoni—recently appointed 15 Billion Tree Growing Ambassador by President William Ruto—to collaborate with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in promoting a culture of tree planting and forest protection across the country.
He noted that her activism echoed the legacy of the late Prof. Wangari Maathai, Kenya’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate, whose work shaped the country’s environmental conservation movement.
Muthoni Pledges Support for National Tree Programme
Muthoni welcomed the proposal and thanked the Forest Service for supporting her earlier record attempt at Michuki Memorial Park in Nairobi, where KFS provided security during her February trial.
She pledged to use her role as ambassador to raise awareness about the 15 billion tree-growing initiative, saying the programme was key to securing Kenya’s environmental future.
Forest Adoption and Youth Engagement
The two agreed on a plan for Muthoni to adopt a forest for rehabilitation and restoration in partnership with KFS and youth groups.
Following the meeting, Muthoni visited Karura Forest, where she planted a tree and interacted with young people working within the forest ecosystem.
Later, the CCF toured the Tree Biotechnology Trust nursery in Karura Forest to assess its capacity to supply seedlings for the national tree-growing programme.
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