In Kenya, there is a class of individuals who have immortalized their names in the Guinness World Book of Records.
These remarkable individuals have pushed beyond limits, unleashing their talents and capturing the global spotlight in extraordinary ways.
In this article, WoK celebrates the resilience and triumphs of these record-breakers.
Chef Maliha Momahmmed
The Mombasa-based chef holds the record for the longest solo cooking session.
She recently claimed the award for the longest cooking marathon, clocking 150 hours and 11 seconds.
To break the record, she endured five grueling days of non-stop cooking in which her mental and physical strength was put to the limit.
“Every second felt like an eternity, but also an opportunity to push beyond limits. This has not just been a personal triumph but a celebration of the resilience that resides within each of us. It has been a journey and labor of love from Kenyans from all walks of life.” she said in interviews.
In her initial attempt, she had set a record of 90 hours and 15 minutes before it was broken by Nigerian chef Hilda Baci.
Eliud Kipchoge
He holds the title for the fastest marathon, clocking 2:1;39 in the Berlin 2018 marathon.
In October 2019, he became the first human to run a two-hour marathon in Vienna, Australia.
That was the famous INEOS 1:59 Record that saw his name immortalized as a statue at Nike Headquarters and also earned him multi-million brand endorsements.
Aside from Kipchoge, other Kenyan athletes on the GWR include Dennis Kimetto, Samuel Wanjiru, and Robert Cheruiyot.
Kimani Ng’ang’a Maruge
He holds the record for the oldest human to begin primary school.
At the age of 84, he became a global sensation when he joined Kapkenduiyo Primary School on January 12, 2004.
This was after the introduction of free primary education by the Narc government.
At the time, two of his grandsons were ahead of him in the same institution. Sadly, he passed away on 15 August 2009 aged 90.
He was the inspiration behind the First Grader Hollywood movie, where his role is played by Kenyan actor Oliver Litondo.
Joseph Love
Love was a Kilifi-based farmer who holds the record for the highest amount of milk extracted by hand in 24 hours.
He extracted 531 litres of milk from 30 cows on August 25, 1992.
However, the record might never be broken because the Guinness World Record stopped accepting applications for that particular feat.
Mohammad Adil Abdool
Abdool holds the record for completing the highest number of burpees in 12 hours.
He joined the immortal records on July 31, 2021, by completing 7, 415 bupees in 12 hours.
A burpee is a full-body exercise that combines a squat, a plank, and a push-up. It is a cardio exercise that is known to be highly challenging.
According to a post on the Guinness World Records, Abdool was born with a severe lung infection that later transitioned to asthma.
However, through fitness and the right nutrition, he was able to beat the disease and keep the symptoms at bay for 11 years.
Country records
There are other records that have been broken by Kenya as a whole.
For instance, the country boasts the strictest rule concerning the use of plastic bags.
Breaking the rule attracts a maximum fine of up to 4 million or four years in jail for manufacturers, importers, and distributors of these bags.
Using just one of these bags attracts a one-year prison sentence.
In terms of animals, Kenya is home to Grevy’s Zebras, the shortest-lived Zebra species in the world.
The country is also home to the African Skinner, the world’s most heat-tolerant bird.
Contrary to popular belief, holding a Guinness world record attracts no monetary rewards, only a certificate and having one’s name immortalized in the records.
