A mathematics teacher from Nakuru has captured national attention after completing a remarkable 45-hour non-stop teaching marathon in a bid to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest continuous mathematics lesson.
The feat has been hailed as another milestone for Kenya’s growing list of record-breaking achievements.
Fenwick Cyril Maloba, a teacher at Menengai High School in Nakuru County, embarked on the challenge on Friday, June 26, under the inspiring theme, “Maths is not a monster, it’s a marathon.”
His mission was not only to rewrite the Guinness World Records books but also to change the negative perception many students have towards mathematics.
Maloba remained on his feet teaching for a staggering 45 hours, comfortably surpassing the previous Guinness World Record of 31 hours, 42 minutes and 54 seconds set by Nigerian mathematician Sanusi Kazeem in April 2025.
Although the achievement has been completed, Guinness World Records will still have to review all evidence before officially ratifying the new record.
Speaking before and during the challenge, Maloba explained that the attempt was inspired by his desire to help learners overcome their fear of mathematics.
“I am doing this to motivate learners and people around the world that Mathematics is not a monster as deemed by many students. The phobia is in the mind, and that is what I want to change,” he said.
The marathon lesson was conducted under strict Guinness World Records guidelines.
Independent witnesses monitored every session while continuous audio and video recordings documented the entire event.
Students attended the lessons in rotating groups to ensure the classroom remained active throughout the challenge, another key requirement set by Guinness World Records.
Participants were also allowed carefully managed rest breaks of five minutes for every completed hour of teaching.
Maloba’s journey with mathematics makes his accomplishment even more inspiring.
According to previous interviews, he once struggled badly with the subject while in secondary school, even scoring an E in mock examinations.
Determined not to let mathematics deny him university admission, he intensified his revision, reportedly solving nearly 6,000 mathematics questions within a month before the KCSE examinations.
His hard work paid off when he eventually earned an A in the subject.
That personal experience now fuels his passion for encouraging students to view mathematics as a subject that can be mastered through consistency rather than fear.
Throughout the marathon, supporters, students, fellow teachers and residents of Nakuru flocked to Menengai High School to cheer him on as he battled fatigue while maintaining engaging lessons for nearly two consecutive days.
Many praised his resilience and commitment to improving mathematics education in Kenya.
The record attempt also reflects Kenya’s increasing presence on the global Guinness World Records stage.
In recent years, several Kenyans have undertaken successful world record attempts in different fields, demonstrating the country’s growing appetite for extraordinary achievements and inspiring many young people to dream beyond conventional limits.
If Guinness World Records officially ratifies the submission after reviewing the video footage, witness statements and event logs, Fenwick Maloba will become the new holder of the world’s longest continuous mathematics lesson, bringing international recognition not only to Menengai High School and Nakuru County but also to Kenya’s education sector.
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