Kenyan environmentalist Hillary Kiplagat Kibiwott, popularly known as Buzeki, has joined a growing list of Kenyans earning global recognition for environmental conservation after setting a new Guinness World Records benchmark by planting 23,326 trees in 24 hours.
The record was set at Kessup Forest Station in Keiyo North, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, surpassing the previous record of 23,060 trees set by Canada’s Antoine Moses in 2021.
Officials said the effort contributes to Kenya’s national target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of broader climate action and forest restoration goals.
Buzeki now joins other Kenyan environmental figures who have gained international attention for conservation-related achievements. Among them is Truphena Muthoni, who in December 2025 set a record for hugging a tree for 72 consecutive hours in a campaign aimed at raising awareness on forest protection and the cultural value of trees.
Environmental experts say such high-profile actions reflect a wider trend in Kenya, where conservation efforts are increasingly combining grassroots activism with global visibility.
They point to the legacy of Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, who mobilised communities, particularly women to plant millions of trees across the country. Her work linked environmental conservation with human rights and livelihoods, earning her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
Forestry officials involved in Buzeki’s attempt said the exercise was not only about breaking a record but also about demonstrating scalable solutions to climate change through afforestation.
Kenya has in recent years intensified its reforestation drive, with national and county governments, schools and community groups taking part in tree-planting campaigns. The initiatives aim to increase forest cover, restore degraded landscapes and enhance resilience to climate impacts such as drought.
Analysts say the emergence of record-setting conservation efforts signals a shift towards measurable and globally recognised climate action, positioning Kenya as a leader in nature-based solutions.
However, they caution that long-term success will depend on the survival and management of planted trees, as well as sustained funding and community involvement.
