A Nakuru-based teacher has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon mathematics lesson by an individual after teaching continuously for 45 hours, smashing a record that had been set only a year earlier.
Mr Fenwick Maloba, a mathematics teacher at Menengai High School in Nakuru County, began the marathon lesson at 8am on June 26 and completed the challenge on Sunday morning under the theme, "Maths is Not a Monster, it is a Marathon".
Mr Maloba who has taught mathematics and physics at the school for the past seven years surpassed the previous record of 31 hours, 42 minutes and 54 seconds set by Nigerian student Sanusi Kazeem of the University of Ilorin in April 2025.
According to his colleague, Ms Ann Langat, Mr Maloba completed the marathon at 5am and was immediately rushed to hospital for a medical check-up before being discharged.
She said a rotating group of students participated throughout the lessons to ensure continuous engagement, as required by Guinness World Records guidelines, which demand active teaching and learning during the entire attempt.
“He was only allowed a five-minute break to re-energise before continuing. We are so proud of him. He has made us as teachers and the institution proud. He is in good condition and is now resting at home after being discharged from hospital. We are now awaiting ratification from the Guinness World Records team,” Ms Langat added.
During the 45-hour marathon, Mr Maloba taught various topics drawn from the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) secondary school mathematics syllabus, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, probability and statistics.
To comply with Guinness World Records requirements, independent witnesses attended the sessions, signed attendance logs and documented the topics covered and the duration of each lesson.
The entire marathon was also recorded on camera capturing continuous video and audio evidence to prove that genuine teaching was taking place without interruption.
In an earlier interview, Mr Maloba said the initiative was aimed at promoting mathematics and inspiring learners to excel in the subject while challenging the long-held perception that mathematics is difficult, intimidating or only suited to a few gifted students.
Mr Fenwick Maloba during an interview on January 28,2025 at Menengai Highschool.
Photo credit: Mercy Koskei | Nation Media Group
According to the teacher, the idea was conceived in March 2025 after he realised many learners struggled with mathematics and viewed it negatively.
“I wanted to create a platform to demystify mathematics and show learners that if someone can teach it continuously for such a long period, then the subject should not be feared,” he said.
He said the idea grew from the normal 40-minute classroom lesson into a quest to discover how long he could teach mathematics while changing students' attitudes towards the subject.
Mr Maloba began the application process for the Guinness World Records in April 2025 and received approval in December. He had initially planned to attempt the challenge on January 30, 2026, during the school holiday.
However, the attempt was delayed after the Ministry of Education said he had not obtained all the necessary approvals.
He was eventually cleared to proceed on June 13, paving the way for the record-breaking feat.
