ENVIRONMENT

The Foundation in partnership with key partners actively contributes towards environmental conservation initiatives such as mitigation on the effects of climate change, particularly for communities whose livelihoods are heavily dependent on rainfall, conservation of biodiversity, and promotion of environmental awareness.  The impact of this initiative is the active protection of water catchment areas countrywide for sustainability of the country’s main water sources and also KenGen’s hydroelectric production.

The following programs have been implemented under the Environment pillar as highlighted below:

Program:
Schools Green Initiative Challenge (GIC)

Description:
The Schools Green Initiative Challenge (GIC) was initiated in 2014 as a 10-year afforestation project whose goal is to promote land conservation in the semi-arid counties of Embu, Machakos and Kitui. It also expanded to Turkwel region – Turkana and West Pokot counties. This is done by planting indigenous species of trees as a way of mitigating climate change, providing renewable wood fuel, protecting the land and providing alternative income streams for the local communities while improving environmental awareness. It also involves youth and children in environmental conservation providing them with knowledge and skills to grow indigenous trees under the clarion call, ‘Panda miti, hifadhi mazingira.’

Impact:

  1. 248,400 tree seedlings distributed to 828 schools with 40% overall survival rate in the arid and semi-arid areas of Machakos, Embu, Kitui, Turkana and West.
  2. Over 414 acres of new forest cover.
  3. Over 200,000 students and 1,400 Teachers trained in applying environmental conservation and water-saving methods.

Program:
Conservation of forest and water catchment areas

Description:
This is focused on the reduction of the cutting down of forest cover and also safeguarding riparian land.

Impact:

  1. 120,000 tree seedlings distributed across gazetted forests including Mau and Koguta Forests.
  2. 500 multipurpose Eco-jikos distributed to communities in West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Nyandarua and Garissa counties to reduce on degradation of our forests.
  3. 5km of riparian land in Murang’a planted bamboo with farmers along the Saba Saba River.

Program:
Infrastructure support

Description:
The Foundation invests in the construction and renovation of school infrastructure, including classrooms, toilets, perimeter fences and administration blocks. It also provides furniture and equipment to create conducive learning environments. From 2013 to 2023, a myriad of infrastructure projects have been executed.

Impact:

  1. Construction of a classroom at Kwa Wanzilu Secondary School, Machakos.
  2. Construction of a bridge and repair of a pedestrian path in Murang’a.
  3. Distribution of school desks in Murang’a.
  4. A school perimeter fence at Thua Primary, Kitui County.
  5. Rehabilitation of four classrooms at Mashamba Primary, Embu.
  6. Construction of an Administration Block at Wikithuki Primary in Kitui.
  7. Construction of an ablution block and perimeter fence at Kanzinwa Primary School, Kitui County
  8. Construction of a classroom & staff toilets at Kaseve Primary, Machakos County.
  9. Construction of a school perimeter fence and gate at Ielanthi Primary, Machakos County.
  10. Construction of a school perimeter fence and gate at Kakunike Primary, Kitui County.
  11. Construction of an ablution block at PCEA Kimuka Girls, in Ngong, Kajiado County.
  12. Manufacture and delivery of 125 steel double decker beds (250 beds) at Inkoirienito Primary School, Narok County.
  13. Construction of an ablution block at Amani Primary School, Mombasa County.

Program:
Fuel conservation

Description:
Distribution of energy-saving eco jikos

Impact:
500 eco-jikos were distributed across the country to 500 households in West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Nyandarua and Narok Counties.

EDUCATION

KenGen Foundation offers annual scholarships to students across the country from areas where the company has operations. Scholarships are awarded to high school and university students. The Program has been elevated to include a 4-day annual mentorship program bringing together all students sponsored to a training and development workshop.  The following impacts have been recorded:

Program:
Scholarships

Description:
Fees and Stipends payments

Impact:

  1. 850 students have graduated from both High school and University since inception.
  2. Sixteen (16) 1st class honors students absorbed by KenGen as permanent employees.
  3. Long-term partners engaged include the KenGen Employee Giver Initiative program (EGI), Bamburi Cement, Starehe Boys Centre, St. George’s Primary, and the Ministry of Education.

Program:
Mentorship programme

Description:
Training on academic excellence, careers, leadership & entrepreneurial skills

Impact:

  1. Over 1400 students have benefited from the program
  2. Sixteen (16) first-class honors in various disciplines in university.
  3. University and secondary transition rate at 95% with very low attrition.
  4. In the year 2022 two (2) student graduates vied for elective political positions in their communities.

WATER AND SANITATION UPDATE

Every year, preventable waterborne illnesses claim the lives of millions of Kenyans.

Through partnerships with corporates, central and county governments, KenGen has contributed towards addressing Kenya’s water challenges.  The distribution of drums, tanks, and waste bins to households and institutions has resulted in a 30% decrease in diarrheal diseases and a significant improvement in community hygiene behavior.  The following programs have been implemented:

The Mbeere water project in partnership with the county of Embu

Impact: 6,000 locals benefited from the water project which included the construction of an intake weir, sedimentation basin, and infield system.

Sondu water harvesting and storage tank distribution

Impact: 70 -1,000 Liter tanks distributed to community household members in the Sondu area.

Olkaria water harvesting and storage tank distribution

Impact: 300 – 1000 Liter water tanks distributed to different institutions (including schools, police stations, and health centers).

Olkaria – Suswa

Impact: Suswa distribution of drums 160 – 210 Liter and 30 eco – jikos

Olkaria – Kwa Muhia waste bins were donated to a community neighbouring Olkaria namely Kwa Muhia in partnership with a CBO, Kwa Muhia Environmental Group (KMEG).

Impact: 198 waste bins clearly labeled and color-coded waste bins distributed and awareness done to enable the community to segregate the waste and have better waste management including being able to recycle the recyclable waste.

Ngong, Kipevu & Eastern Hydros – Ablution blocks at PCEA Kimuka Girls in Ngong, Amani Primary in Mombasa, Kanzinwa Primary in Kitui, and Kaseve Primary in Machakos.

Impact:Promoted good hygiene practices, improved sanitation conditions for over 3000 students.