Ambassador job, Brazil trip, HSC medal for Truphena as Ruto rolls red carpet for tree-hugger

The meeting came days after Truphena completed a 72-hour tree-hugging challenge in Nyeri County. 

The challenge was Truphena’s second attempt to break the Guinness World Record of hugging a tree for 72 hours. She previously succeeded in a 48-hour tree-hugging challenge. 

The Head of State met the tree-hugger on Monday, where he termed her actions as “a deeply symbolic gesture aimed at raising national and global awareness on environmental conservation and climate change.”

President Ruto then appointed Truphena to be an ambassador of the 15 billion tree planting campaign. This, he said, was in recognition of her courage, fortitude, and laudable leadership.

“As a mark of national honour for her exemplary service to environmental stewardship, I have conferred upon Truphena Muthoni the Head of State Commendation (HSC) Medal,” said President Ruto.

But this was not all, Ruto also announced that the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Tourism Board have extended to her and her team a fully sponsored holiday experience. 

“In addition, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry will support the realization of her dream to visit Brazil, broadening her exposure to global conservation initiatives and environmental leadership,” said Ruto in a statement to newsrooms.