The story of 22-year-old Kenyan Truphena Muthooni is a striking example of how dedication, creativity, and social media can intersect to create both global attention and substantial financial rewards. Truphena captured the world’s eye when she hugged a tree for 72 continuous hours during a live TikTok session, drawing tens of thousands of viewers while promoting environmental awareness. What set her apart, however, was not just the feat itself but the enormous earnings she received from virtual gifts sent by her fans worldwide.
During her marathon live session, Truphena attracted over 50,000 viewers, each captivated by her perseverance and the message behind her stunt. TikTok’s interactive platform allowed viewers to support her in real time through virtual gifts, turning her environmental demonstration into a lucrative venture. Among the many gifts she received, the lion gift stood out for its value and prestige. Priced at $403 (roughly Ksh.52,000), it is considered a top-tier virtual present on the platform. Remarkably, Truphena received over 1,100 lion gifts during her live session, bringing her gross earnings from this gift alone to approximately Ksh.57 million. After accounting for TikTok’s 50% commission, her net income from the lion gifts was estimated at around Ksh.28 million.
Beyond the lion gifts, Truphena also received other tokens of appreciation, including money guns and various virtual presents, further boosting her overall earnings. These contributions collectively cemented her position as one of Kenya’s most financially successful TikTok creators, showcasing the potential of social media to generate significant income when paired with creativity and dedication.
Truphena’s achievement carries deeper significance beyond financial gain. Her 72-hour tree hug sparked conversations about environmental conservation, demonstrating that social media can be a platform for both advocacy and entertainment. Moreover, her story highlights the opportunities available to young people willing to innovate and leverage digital platforms, encouraging others to explore creative ways to monetize their passions.
Truphena Muthooni’s journey represents a new era of digital earnings, where determination, skill, and audience engagement can translate into remarkable success. Earning over Ksh.28 million from virtual gifts alone, she provides a powerful example of how Kenyan youth can harness technology to achieve global recognition and financial independence, all while promoting meaningful causes.
