Young Kenyan environmentalist Truphena Muthoni has surprised many Kenyans with just six words reaction to several people trying to brake her world record holder for hugging a tree for 72 hours nonstop.
On her X (formerly Twitter) account, Truphena posted: “Photocopy can never be original – Zulu Proverb.”
The post was short. It had no names. No explanation. Yet, it left thousands of Kenyans talking, guessing, and debating. So what was she really saying?
Many social media users believe the post was not random.
Over the past months, Truphena has been widely praised for starting the tree-hugging challenge, a movement meant to promote love for nature, tree planting, and environmental care.
The challenge quickly gained attention across Kenya and beyond. But recently, many new faces have joined the trend.
One of them is Pastor James Irungu from Murang’a County, who hugged a tree for 79 hours in Murang’a County to create cancer awareness.
To many Kenyans, the timing was too perfect to ignore. “You can copy, but you can’t be me.”
Social media users quickly connected the dots. Many believe Truphena was sending a strong message — that while others may copy her idea, they can never replace the original vision behind it.
“She started it. Others followed. That’s the truth,” one user commented.
As expected, reactions were divided.
Some Kenyans praised her confidence, saying: “She knows her worth.”
Others felt the post was unnecessary, arguing that environmental action should unite, not divide.
