Kenyan man attempts to break world record for most trees planted by individual in 24 hours

• Hillary Kibiwott is on a mission to etch his name in the history books on matters environmental conservation
• The Elgeyo Marakwet man just planted over 23,000 trees in 24 hours, seeking to surpass the existing world record
• Apart from rewriting history with every seedling placed into the soil, he hopes to inspire Kenyans to plant more trees

Elgeyo-Marakwet County – A Kenyan man has etched his name into environmental history through an extraordinary act of endurance and purpose.

Hillary Kiplagat Kibiwott is being celebrated across the country after planting an astonishing 23,326 trees within just 24 hours.

Current tree-planting record

According to the Kenya Forest Service, Kibiwott planted the trees at Kessup Forest Station, a feat that has surpassed the previous global record.

The earlier benchmark, set by Antoine Moses in La Crete Alberta in July 2021, stood at 23,060 trees, making Kibiwott’s achievement not just impressive, but historic.

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For residents and conservationists alike, the moment has carried a deep emotional weight and a powerful symbol of resilience and commitment to protecting Kenya’s fragile ecosystems.

Each seedling placed into the soil represents not just a number in a record attempt, but a step towards restoring forests, preserving biodiversity, and securing a greener future.

How Kibiwott managed feat

The journey, however, was no easy one. Planting thousands of trees within a single day demands relentless physical stamina, mental focus, and an unshakable belief in the cause.

Those who witnessed the effort described it as both humbling and inspiring, a reminder of what one individual can achieve when driven by purpose.

Alex Lemarkoko, the Chief Conservator of Forests, commended Kibiwott for what he termed as a demonstration of “true passion and commitment” to conservation.

His words echoed a broader national sentiment, as Kenyans rallied behind a story that brings hope in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.

As the record now awaits official confirmation by Guinness World Records, the impact of Kibiwott’s effort is already being felt far beyond the forest where it took place.

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Kenyans congratulate Kibiwott

Hon Josphat Lowoi, OGW:

“Your dedication, resilience, and commitment to a greener future are an inspiration to us all. May this milestone ignite even greater efforts toward restoring our environment and safeguarding it for generations to come.”

Zedekiah Bundotich Kiprop Buzeki:

“His passion for a sustainable environment and protecting our water catchment is a noble and worthwhile pursuit, especially at a time when society isn’t giving the environment the attention it deserves.”

Eli Bett Chumba

“Congratulations on setting the pace for planting trees and surpassing the set record. Your dedication and commitment to environmental conservation are truly inspiring.”

Kenneth Kurgat

“Congratulations brother for being an ambassador in reclaiming what God wants us to be doing always.”

Truphena Muthoni sets word record

Truphena Muthoni, another Kenyan environment, recently broke the world record for the longest tree-hug.

The 22-year-old from Nyeri County captured the world’s imagination after shattering her own world record by hugging a tree for an astonishing 72 hours.

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Her marathon embrace, which ran from Monday, December 8, to Thursday, December 11, 2025, was more than a test of endurance, it was her bold statement on environmental conservation.

After weeks of waiting, the achievement was officially ratified by Guinness World Records on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Source: NgGossips