Hillary Kibiwott, a Kenyan environmentalist also known as Buzeki, has completed a gruelling 24-hour challenge to plant 24,000 tree seedlings in a bold bid for a Guinness World Record, coming just short of his target.
The ambitious attempt took place at Kessup Forest Station in Kameza, within the Kessup Forest Block of Elgeyo Marakwet County. Kibiwott, co-founder of the Green Earth Ambassadors Foundation, began the marathon at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and wrapped up exactly 24 hours later on Thursday.
The event drew significant attention, with both county and national government officials attending to witness the historic environmental push. Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich flagged off the challenge, alongside forestry officers and environmental stakeholders who turned up in large numbers.
Residents also flocked to the forest station, creating a lively atmosphere as hundreds gathered to experience the attempt first-hand.
Many cheered him on throughout the night and into the following day, turning the conservation drive into a community event.
Record challenge
Kibiwott’s goal was to surpass the current Guinness World Record of 23,060 trees planted in 24 hours by Canadian Antoine Moses in 2021. His target of 24,000 seedlings covered approximately 30.15 hectares, highlighting Kenya’s growing role in grassroots climate action.
Supporters, including local leaders and environmental enthusiasts, worked behind the scenes to assist with logistics, seedling preparation, and verification as the clock ticked.
Progress updates showed steady determination, with Kibiwott crossing the 9,000 mark midway through the challenge. The task required constant physical effort, including bending, digging, and planting under changing weather conditions.
Final tallies show he planted 23,326 trees, slightly below his original target but still within range of breaking the existing world record. Guinness World Records officials are now verifying the documentation, compliance, and final count before certification.
“Congratulations, Hillary Kiplagat Kibiwott, for setting a new World Record by planting 23,326 trees in just 24 hours, surpassing the previous mark of 23,060. This remarkable feat is not only a personal victory but also a powerful contribution to environmental conservation and climate action,” the secretary of the Minority and Marginalised Affairs Unit at the Executive Office of the President wrote on Facebook.
The attempt follows growing environmental activism in Kenya, where youth-led initiatives continue to gain momentum.
It also comes months after fellow Kenyan environmentalist Truphena Muthoni made global headlines after setting a Guinness World Record for the longest tree-hugging marathon, later extending her feat from 48 to 72 hours in Nyeri County.
