Kenyan environmentalist Hillary Kiplagat Kibiwott has made history after planting 23,326 trees in just 24 hours, setting a new world record in a remarkable show of endurance and climate action.
The record-breaking feat was achieved at Kessup Forest Station in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, where Kiplagat began the challenge on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. and completed it the following day. His achievement surpassed the previous global record of 23,060 trees, which had been set in 2021 by Canadian planter Antoine Moses.
The attempt was supervised by the Kenya Forest Service, which monitored the planting process to ensure all international record guidelines were followed. Officials described the milestone as historic and a major boost for Kenya’s environmental conservation efforts.
Kiplagat, a member of the Green Earth Ambassadors Foundation, reportedly trained physically for the challenge, which required nonstop digging, planting, and covering seedlings for an entire day without sleep. Support teams supplied him with water and seedlings throughout the marathon.
Beyond the record, the achievement aligns with Kenya’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of efforts to restore forest cover, fight climate change, and protect water catchment areas.
The feat has drawn national praise, with many Kenyans celebrating it as proof that youth-led climate action can create real and lasting impact.
The record-breaking feat was achieved at Kessup Forest Station in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, where Kiplagat began the challenge on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. and completed it the following day. His achievement surpassed the previous global record of 23,060 trees, which had been set in 2021 by Canadian planter Antoine Moses.
The attempt was supervised by the Kenya Forest Service, which monitored the planting process to ensure all international record guidelines were followed. Officials described the milestone as historic and a major boost for Kenya’s environmental conservation efforts.
Kiplagat, a member of the Green Earth Ambassadors Foundation, reportedly trained physically for the challenge, which required nonstop digging, planting, and covering seedlings for an entire day without sleep. Support teams supplied him with water and seedlings throughout the marathon.
Beyond the record, the achievement aligns with Kenya’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 as part of efforts to restore forest cover, fight climate change, and protect water catchment areas.
The feat has drawn national praise, with many Kenyans celebrating it as proof that youth-led climate action can create real and lasting impact.
