Teacher takes on gruelling 45-hour Guinness Maths Record
Education
By
Caroline Chebet
| Jun 27, 2026
At the main entrance of Menengai High School in Nakuru, a large poster stands by the gate, displaying the portrait of teacher Fenwick Cyril Maloba and a bold declaration of his latest challenge to the world.
The banner is expected to remain at the gate until 8am on Sunday, when the clock is set to mark the end of a gruelling 45-hour attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest mathematics lesson.
Beyond the gate, the school appears to be operating normally. Inside a specially prepared classroom, however, one lesson has continued uninterrupted since 8am yesterday. The subject is mathematics, the atmosphere is energetic, and Maloba keeps his learners engaged through constant interaction.
To claim the record, he must surpass the current mark of 31 hours, 42 minutes and 54 seconds, set in April 2025 by Nigerian mathematician Sanusi Kazeem.
“Maloba is very enthusiastic, outstanding and has extra energy. Forty-five hours is what he promised, and we believe he will achieve it,” said colleague Paul Mondia.
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The classroom has been meticulously prepared to satisfy strict Guinness World Records verification requirements. A camera records the entire session, capturing continuous video and audio evidence to prove that genuine teaching is taking place without interruption.
On one side of the room sit two independent witnesses, documenting every stage of the attempt and ensuring the lesson plan is followed strictly. Like the learners, they work in shifts throughout the marathon.
The clock is the most important item in the room. Guinness endurance rules allow a five-minute break for every completed hour of continuous teaching. These breaks may be accumulated. Only during these breaks is Maloba allowed to eat, sleep or visit the washroom.
“He took his first break after four hours, meaning he had accumulated 20 minutes,” said Beryl Onyango, a chemistry teacher at Bahati Girls and one of the witnesses. “However, he used only nine minutes, so he has saved 11 minutes for when he may need them most.”
The classroom must never be empty. Before one group leaves, another must already be seated, ensuring uninterrupted participation.
Elizabeth Njoki, among the first participants, described the experience as both engaging and enjoyable.
“As someone who left high school almost 20 years ago, I never imagined I would enjoy mathematics this much. There has always been that fear of mathematics.The teacher made everything so easy,” she said.
Nutritionist Lilian Mutugi said preparations began weeks before the challenge, with Maloba following a light diet while spending long nights developing lesson plans and revising mathematical concepts.
“He has spent the last two weeks preparing his body and mind to build physical stamina, alongside intense paperwork, lesson planning, and sourcing equations late into the night. He is a very focused person who always works to get what he wants,” she said.