- Truphena Muthoni, Kenya's record-breaking tree hugger, appeared as a guest speaker at this year's Mazingira Day celebrations
- A photo of the 22-year-old environmentalist on stage in a short black skirt and colourful braids quickly went viral
- Kenyans are divided, with some calling the outfit inappropriate for a government function while others rally to her defence
Kenya's tree-hugging environmentalist Truphena Muthoni is back in the headlines, and this time the conversation has nothing to do with forests.
Source: Instagram
The 22-year-old activist, who first captured the nation's attention in December 2024 after hugging a sacred mugumo tree outside the Nyeri Governor's Office for 72 consecutive hours, appeared as a guest speaker at this year's Mazingira Day celebrations on October 10.
A photo from the event has since gone viral, reigniting a familiar debate about what young women should wear at official functions.
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What Truphena wore on stage
In the photo, Truphena is seen addressing the crowd from the stage, microphone in hand, dressed in a green branded polo T-shirt bearing the IRF logo, a short black pleated skirt, and sneakers.
Her long braids, carrying extensions in red, blue, green and black, reportedly touched the ground. Seated behind her were uniformed officers and county officials watching her speak.
The image split opinion almost instantly. Critics argued that the outfit was too casual for a government event attended by dignitaries. Facebook user Haron K Chepsat wrote:
"Considering the event and the dignitaries it was not decent."
The view was echoed across several online forums, where some felt the occasion called for a more formal look.
Kenyans defend her right to express herself
A larger portion of Kenyans, however, pushed back firmly, saying the focus should be on Truphena's environmental message rather than the length of her skirt.
One widely shared comment came from Rosy Mamake Waitherero, who wrote:
"Watu wanataka avae Dera ama? She looks cute and I see nothing wrong with her. Kila mtu avalishe mtoto wake vile anataka akuwe akivaa akikuwa mkubwa🤭 Those raising teens/genz can relate vile wanataka kuvaa Wacha tu. Kuna huyu mzee wa kwetu who always wanted her daughters to dress 'decently' wanatoka home wamevaa long dress baba yao alikuwa shaman kwa kabisa, akiongea anasema vile wasichana wanavaa trouser zinawafinya wanafaa wachukue example ya his daughters. Sahii hiyo wako kwa viti wamevaa hipsters 😂😂 after church bado wanafika home kama wamevaa long dress."
The comment resonated with many parents of teenagers, who argued that policing young women's clothing choices tends to backfire.
This is not the first time Truphena's wardrobe has drawn commentary. She faced similar criticism earlier this year when she travelled to Brasília, Brazil, for Acampamento Terra Livre 2026, the world's largest Indigenous gathering, wearing a comparable outfit.
At the time, she responded,
"As an Afro Indigenous woman, a sister to the forest, this moment means everything to honor who I am and the roots I carry."
She has also previously explained the deliberate symbolism behind her colour choices, saying black represents African power and resilience, green stands for reforestation and hope, red signals indigenous resistance, and blue honours water and ocean defenders.
Often referred to as Kenya's young Wangari Maathai, Truphena continues to post actively about climate justice, with her signature phrase: "We can turn the tide on environmental degradation."
Source: TUKO.co.ke