University of Nairobi, Sahara Group to promote sustainability in Kenya

Leading energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group and the University of Nairobi have edged to work towards establishing a partnership aimed at involving more young Kenyans in the nation's march towards sustainability.

Both organisations met at the University of Nairobi to chart a course towards a sustainable future for Kenya through collaboration that will focus on giving students mainstream participation.

The partnership will focus on using innovation challenges,  Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics  (STEAM) s, creative writing and debate competitions, and thought leadership platforms to facilitate generational sustainability in Kenya.

Speaking at the initial meeting in Nairobi, Bethel Obioma,  Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group said the partnership would be driven by the Sahara Group Foundation, Sahara's directorate for sustainability, and Asharami Synergy Limited, the energy conglomerate’s downstream company in Kenya.

"Sahara Group is on a mission to spearhead Africa's march towards sustainability and an inclusive energy transition and we welcome this opportunity to work with the University of Nairobi with great excitement. Together, we can enhance awareness creation on sustainability,  drive environmental protection, promote green energy initiatives and ultimately birth innovations that will create sustainable livelihoods and economic development in Kenya," he said.

Obioma said the partnership will flag off with the involvement of the University of Nairobi in a creative writing competition for university students in Kenya. "How and what young Kenyans understand about the terms climate change, climate action, energy transition and the likes will play a critical role in leveraging their energies and skills in promoting sustainability. Hopefully, through the art of storytelling that will creae more awareness even among toung children, the contest will develop innovative solutions that will help address environmental, social, and economic challenges in Kenya," he said.

Director of Communications, University of Nairobi, John Orindi, said the planned partnership resonates with the institution's ongoing efforts towards empowering students to become agents of change for sustainability in Kenya.

"The creative writing contest presents another opportunity for our students to contribute towards raising awareness and proffering solutions for issues like deforestation and pollution and suggest renewable energy solutions to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and adoption of clean energy technologies in households and businesses," he said.

According to Orindi, the partnership can add more traction to sustainable waste management through initiatives on improved collection and the recycling of waste materials to conserve the environment.

"Ultimately, we believe the partnership will create jobs, reduce environmental degradation, promote sustainable development and galvanise action among young Kenyans as active participants in the quest to promote sustainability in Kenya," added Lavinah Gonah, Operations Manager, Asharami Synergy.