For the pupils at Voondeni Primary School, Machakos County, and Mwea Primary School, Embu, the 2019 academic year began on a high note as they settled into refurbished classrooms courtesy of the Schools’ Green Initiative Challenge, a school based environmental conservation project implemented by the KenGen Foundation in partnership with KenGen PLC, Better Globe Forestry Foundation, and Bamburi Cement Ltd.

The schools’ renovations are part of the KenGen’s continued efforts at improving the education standards of marginalized communities at its areas of operations. The project is a result of a partnership between the Foundation and Bamburi Cement under the GIC to rehabilitate the institutions.

READ MORE: Corporate Partnerships Best for Implementing CSI Activities

“In most of the schools under the GIC, classrooms are old and dilapidated. Through a special appeal from the institutions, the two schools were selected as part of the project’s objective in offering infrastructural support to deserving participating schools,” the Foundation’s Ag. Managing Trustee Anthony Igecha said, attributing poor school performances to deplorable learning environs.

Both schools featured in Phase I of the tree planting competition, recording healthy seedling survival rates and innovations to qualify for the renovations. The pilot project involved a total of 81 schools.

Construction work was done in phases, with the schools ready by the start of the new academic year. Class 4 and class 8 pupils at Voondeni Primary School now enjoy newly refurbished classrooms, while the class 4 – 7 block has new plaster and a fresh coat of paint. Apart from a new classroom, Mwea Primary Schools also boasts on four renovated classrooms including an upgraded verandah and new windows.

ALSO READ: Upper Tana Community Projects Handover Ceremony

Currently in Phase IV, the GIC has so far enrolled 419 schools at 7-Forks for the competition, with an additional 100 schools from the three counties slated to join the competition this year in Phase V.

Designed as a competition to participating schools, the GIC incorporates infrastructure support for schools in dire situations that meet the threshold for funding. Top performing schools stand a chance to win educational trips, scholarships, water tanks and rain harvesting gutters and pipes.

Through the Foundation, KenGen also refurbished Kiambaa Primary School, Murang’a County, in a unique partnership with the Environment & CDM Department funded through carbon credits.

The GIC project has also expanded to the Coast region by enlisting 30 schools in Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties as part of a wider pilot that will also include West Pokot and Turkana counties.

The GIC incorporates three of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) namely Quality Education (SDG 4), Climate Change (SDG 13), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6).

Follow us on Twitter through @KenGen_Foundatn and like our Facebook page for more updates.

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

Anthony Owuor Okumu, 26, is an intern at Mama Lucy Hospital, Nairobi.

He works as a Clinical Officer at the Level 5 facility, and is a Bachelor of Science (Clinical Medicine) graduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. 

But as simple as this may sound, his career path was no walk in the park.

Anthony, from Kisumu County, is a beneficiary of the KenGen’s Education Scholarships Programme, and a former student at Wangapala Boys High School class of 2012. He was awarded a full university scholarship after attaining the necessary grade and requirements to qualify for a KenGen Education Scholarship.

READ: KenGen Education Scholarship Beneficiaries Graduate First Class.

While medicine may be the career of choice that parents push their children into pursuing for the status and the perks, Anthony knows it is not that easy. Not at all!

Many enroll for the course, but few make it to the end without dropping out or retaking classes. Yet, Anthony made it through the programme, sat for his final exams, and passed in 2018.

The last born in a family of four, Anthony was raised by a single parent in rural Kabondo Division. But in spite of his humble background, Anthony studied hard, beating the rest of his schoolmates to emerge tops in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations 2012 with an A (grade).

“I was both overjoyed and devastated with the results. Due to lack of funds, I had already planned to defer my first year of studies”, remembers Anthony.

However, all this changed when he got a phone call from KenGen that catapulted his life’s trajectory.

“I want to sincerely say that KenGen Foundation gave me the opportunity to successfully achieve what I had called a ‘foregone dream’”, he said during his first visit to KenGen since graduation.

KenGen’s commitment to education has supported over 700 students mainly from marginalized areas around its installations spread across the country. The Company has spent over Kshs. 600 million over the last 14 years in scholarships for secondary school and university students and in schools’ infrastructural developments in many parts of the country.

ALSO READ: 41 Students Awarded KenGen Education Scholarships as Curtains Close on 5th Annual Mentorship.

The mission of the KenGen Education Scholarships programme is to provide education opportunities and improve facilities to enable lifelong enrichment opportunities to students whose humble backgrounds may deny them a chance to realize their dreams.

“Today I can testify that through the philanthropic work of KenGen Foundation, I am able to harvest the fruits of hard work through the attainment of my desired education level”, said Anthony.

Anthony, keen in mentoring the current students enrolled in the Education Scholarship programme, has the following heartfelt message for KenGen and the Foundation:

“I want to say a big THANK YOU to the KenGen Family and the Foundation team for being selfless in serving us while we were in school and for stepping in our shoes in order to understand our needs. Thank you for working tirelessly to ensure we received the comfort necessary for our studies, may God bless you.”

Follow us on Twitter through @KenGen_Foundatn and like our Facebook page for more updates.

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

The KenGen Education Scholarship class of 2018 performed well in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations, recording two A – (minus), two B+ (plus), four B (plain), one B- (minus), three C+ (plus) and two C (plain).

James Kariuki Kihiko from Lenana School, and Joshua Ouko from Kisumu Boys both scored A- (minus) to lead the pack that had a total of 16 sponsored candidates.

Margaret Githaiga from St. Francis High School Mang’u and Guantai Samuel Muthaura from Starehe Boys Center both scored B (plus), while Rejoice Mutheu – Alliance Girls, Daniel Muthoka – Alliance Boys, Vivian Wangari – Kyeni Girls and Edwin Omolo – Homabay High School obtained B (plain) as the mean score.

Mary Naneu Shaa from State House Girls was the only one to score a B- (minus), with three other candidates scoring C+ (plus) as the mean score, and two more with C (plain). One of the candidates failed to feature in this year’s KCSE.

READ: One-off KenGen Funding Delivers Top Grades

In 2017, the KenGen Education Scholarship candidates managed to score three A- (minus), three B+ (plus), two B (plain), four B – (minus) and 1 C (plain).

A total 660,204 students sat for the examination countrywide, with 338,628 being male while 321,576 were female, representing 51.29 per cent and 48.71 per cent respectively.

This year, the number of candidates who scored the minimum university entry mean grade of C+ and above is 90,377 or 13.77 per cent of the total number of those who sat the tests.

ALSO READ: Diligence Pays Off for KenGen Education Scholarship Alumnus

In 2017, the number was 70,073 or just 11.38 per cent of the candidates.

The results of 3,427 students who sat the 2018 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations were cancelled after having been found guilty of examination malpractice.

The KenGen Foundation wishes all the Education Scholarships alumni the best of luck as they advance in their studies.

Follow us on Twitter through @KenGen_Foundatn and like our Facebook page for more updates.

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

Four students from Starehe Boys Center who managed to score A- (minus) in the 2018 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education completed their final courtesy of a one-off sponsorship from KenGen PLC. The school recorded four straight As.

The funding was made possible following a commitment made by the Company to the institution to sponsor ten students sitting their final examinations during the 2018 Annual Mentorship symposium.

Anari Boru, Hassan Boru, Ahmed Abdi, and Nickson Karimi all scored A- (minuses), with Josphat Kambua following closely with a B+ (plus). Stephen Kelenge and Steve Odhiambo each had a B (plains) while Anselm George achieved a B- (minus). George Lentapa scored a C+ (plus) while Ayub Kundu got a C- (minus).

The number of candidates attaining the highest overall mean grade A in the KCSE examination rose from 142 in 2017 to 315 in last year’s KCSE examination.

READ: KenGen Education Scholarship Beneficiaries Graduate First Class.

A total of 3,417 candidates scored A– (minus), 8,268 managed B+ (plus) and 16,403 scored B (plain).

Another 26,156 candidates attained B– with some 35,818 scoring C+.

Overall, the number of candidates with minimum university entry qualification of grade C+ and above is 90,377 compared to 70,073 in the 2017 KCSE examination.

Starehe Boys’ Centre, which over the years has been a top performer, is ranked 21 with a performance index of 62.7 and had 256 candidates.

The center, founded in 1959, started out as a rescue center for street children. The institution’s aim of improving the lives of bright but needy students reflects the main objective of the KenGen Education Scholarships programme. The institution has been a KenGen Foundation partner in the implementation of the Education Scholarships Annual Mentorship.

READ MORE: 41 Students Awarded KenGen Education Scholarships as Curtains Close on 5th Annual Mentorship.

Sponsored by KenGen PLC, the KenGen Foundation Annual Mentorship aims to guide the students into becoming more confident in their studies through encouraging the discovery of talents, and nurturing of life skills through a series of lectures and seminars delivered by industry leaders.

Through the KenGen Education Scholarships, KenGen PLC offers learning opportunities for secondary school and university students from communities living around the Company’s power stations.

Currently, the Company is sponsoring 100 secondary school students.

The Foundation wishes the students all the best in their future endeavours.

Kudos KenGen!!

Follow us on Twitter through @KenGen_Foundatn and like our Facebook page for more updates. –Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

For Martin Gitonga Njuki, Dominic Kereya Kaleke, Juliana Njeri Mbugua, and Midan Hussein, being awarded the KenGen Education Scholarships was not only an honor but also a relief.

The four qualified for the university scholarships after attaining straight As in their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations, and have done KenGen proud by graduating with First Class Honors from their various universities.

KenGen Foundation’s Acting Managing Trustee Anthony Igecha praised their efforts and said, “The Foundation is proud of their achievements, as this reflects the company’s expectations”.

“Their accomplishments are a testament that the investment made to our scholarship beneficiaries is truly worth it”, he added.

“The four will automatically join the KenGen Alumni Club and engage with the rest in promoting and supporting the Education Pillar of the organization”, the Ag. Managing Trustee further said.

Martin Njuki

Martin Njuki, a native of Mbeere South Sub-county and the second born in a family of six, graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) degree from University of Kabianga.

His academic journey saw him sit the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations twice to enable him to proceed to Kathiani Boys High School where he passed the national examinations with a B+, and qualify for the KenGen Education Scholarship.

Currently working as a medical representative in a pharmaceutical firm, Martin shares the following:

“To my loving family at KenGen Foundation, asanteni sana. For real, you’re touching lives, enabling our communities. Thank you for your all-round mentorship. I’m morally shaped courtesy of your investment in me. You helped me out of an otherwise pre-determined path of poverty and ignorance. Asanteni saaaana”.

Juliana Njeri

Juliana Njeri Mbugua is currently pursuing a professional course as an accountant (CPA – Section 6). Juliana, from Naivasha Sub-county, graduated from Meru University of Science and Technology with a bachelor of Commerce degree (Finance), having previously completed her secondary education at Maai Mahiu (Girls’) Secondary School with an A-.

Of the scholarship opportunity from KenGen, Juliana “is grateful to KenGen, through the KenGen Foundation, for the abundant support throughout my university education. I am, and will always remain very grateful for the immeasurable generosity of KenGen. This rare philanthropy has increased my desire to achieve more and contribute positively to my community, our nation and the world at large”.

Dominic Kaleke from Naivasha is an alumnus of the KenGen’s Education Scholarships programme. The former Narok High School student of 2012, he was awarded a full University scholarship after qualifying to join Chuka University.

There, he pursued a degree in Bachelor of Science (biochemistry) of which he graduated with First Class Honors.

The last-born son in a family of eleven has just started his career at Hot Springs Girls High School as a laboratory technologist and tells us the following: “I want to pass my sincere gratitude to KenGen Foundation and to KenGen fraternity for coming into my life and enable me to achieve my academic goals. Surely you have been more than a father and mother in my life. May God bless KenGen Foundation, may God bless KenGen. Once again thank you”.

Mwidani Hassan

Mwidani Hussein Hassan from Kilifi County is a former student at Tudor Day Secondary School, class of 2012. KenGen awarded him a full university scholarship after qualifying to join Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, where he pursued a degree in Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering of which he graduated with First Class Honors.

The second born son in a family of two, he was the top student at Tudor Day Secondary School, scoring an A.

He’s currently doing his internship at Kenya Power and Lighting Company, and sends us the following heartfelt thank you note:

“KenGen has and always will be my ‘heaven-sent’ life changer. Coming at a time when my hopes of joining the university, let alone pursuing my dream course, were clouded with uncertainty, the KenGen Foundation not only ensured I got into a lecture room but also had the smoothest campus life any student would hope for. The Foundation catered for all my fees, upkeep finances and psychological needs that enabled me to fully concentrate on my studies and achieve my goals.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the KenGen Company, the KenGen Foundation fraternity and more specifically to Sir Anthony Igecha and Ms. Dorcas Arama for their priceless care, guidance, and mentorship. May the Almighty reward them all with goodness“.

The KenGen Education Scholarship program has, since 2005, helped more than 600 bright but needy students from marginalized areas achieve their dream in education. Many have gone on to prominence.

They have made – and continue to make – their marks and achieve excellence in a variety of fields such as engineering, business, arts, and the government.

Our prominent alumni are a diverse group of individuals who cover the whole country, innovating, changing lives, and making history.

Congratulations to the new alumni!

Follow us on Twitter through @KenGen_Foundatn and like our Facebook page for more updates.

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

The KenGen Foundation, in partnership with Better Globe Forestry and Bamburi Cement Ltd., recently conducted a workshop to review the progress of the Schools Green Initiative Challenge at various centers in Embu, Kitui and Machakos counties.

200 principals and ‘green’ teachers from the schools participating in the tree-planting competition attended the capacity building sessions held from September 26 – 28.

The Foundation’s Ag. Managing Trustee addressing the green teachers during the 3-day capacity building.

READ MORE: Surprise Win for GIC during KenGen’s 2018 G2G

Acting Managing Trustee, KenGen Foundation, Anthony Igecha lauded the schools for their progress in nurturing the tree seedlings and reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment and support in ensuring that Phase IV of the GIC is a success.

“Despite the severe environmental conditions in the three semi-arid counties, the Foundation and partners pledge to replace the lost seedlings distributed earlier”, he said.
“We hope that the schools’ administration and students involved in the project take good care of the seedlings. Head teachers should ensure that the woodlots are looked after even when the schools close for the December holidays”, he added.

Green teachers interact with the presenters during the 2nd GIC IV tree-planting workshop.

During the workshop, participants were taken through the benefits of planting Senna siamea, Terminalia brownii, and Melia volkensii, as a way of mitigating climate change, providing wood fuel, and alternative income opportunities in the timber industry.

The project’s Monitoring and Evaluation officers also advised the participants on how to identify and handle tree diseases. The KenGen Foundation team demonstrated to the participants the monetary value of planting the trees, while Better Globe Forestry encouraged the teachers to embrace the project in their individual households.

ALSO READ: Exciting Mombasa Tour for GIC Phase II Winners

In a separate presentation, the teachers were trained on how to use social media in communicating their progress and innovations with their peers and project partners. Teachers from the 3 counties set up WhatsApp groups to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and information on the GIC.

A green teacher refers to the GIC Technical Manual, courtesy of project partners KenGen Foundation, Better Globe Forestry, and Bamburi Cement.

The GIC is a 10-year project funded by the partners at a cost of Ksh. 120 million and is an upscale of the successful Phase I pilot project that initially involved 81 schools within the counties of Embu and Machakos.

RELATED: GIC II Runners-Up Fun at Olkaria

The project is designed as a challenge to participating schools, mainly due to the dry weather conditions in the areas. Prizes are awarded based on the highest survival rate of seedlings and use of innovation in growing the trees.

Monitoring & Evaluation Officer January Muthoka takes the participants through the technicalities of nurturing the Mukau tree.

The GIC targets to reach 140,000 school children by 2018, with the schools being used as channels to reach out to the wider community members and encourage tree planting and nurturing.

SEE MORE HERE: [metaslider id=3837]

Follow us on Twitter through @KenGen_Foundatn and like our Facebook page for more updates.

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

By recording 77% survival rates after 2 years of joining Phase II of the Schools’ Green Initiative Challenge, Mashamba Primary School got a chance to visit Olkaria geothermal power plant on 16 August.

Peter Karuria, Olkaria’s safety officer engages the students during the tour.                  Pic.|E. Nyamasyo

This was part of their reward for emerging position 2 in the tree growing competition implemented by KenGen Foundation in partnership with Bamburi Cement and Better Globe Forestry.

Accompanied by the Embu CSO David Kithaka, their head teacher John Muringo,

and green teachers Josphat Kyule and Martha Mwangangi, the students and were all eager to catch every word from Peter Karuria, Olkaria’s safety officer, amid the din from the power house, as he explained the process of geothermal power production. This was the group’s first visit to a KenGen power plant.

Enjoying the warm waters of Olkaria Spa.

READ MORE: Exciting Mombasa Tour for GIC Phase II Winners

Mashamba Primary School is one in 120 schools that participated in Phase II of the GIC from 2016 – 2018. Located in Embu County, one of the driest areas in the country, the schools employed several innovative tree nursery management techniques to ensure the seedlings survival. Apart from mulching and drip irrigation, the students also adopted individual trees and nurtured them to maturity.

After lunch, the students couldn’t wait to take a dip in the spa, surprised at the warmth of the water, their excited laughter echoing across the pool.

 

On a game drive at Hell’s Gate National Park thereafter, the GIC champions marvelled at herds of buffalo and zebra, and found the warthog quite a comical creature that they couldn’t stop talking about!

Early morning camp breakfast at Fisherman’s Camp, Naivasha

Apart from educational trips, the GIC rewards for the top three performing schools also include scholarships, water tanks, gift vouchers and certificates. The GIC is unique in that it incentivizes young minds to be proactive in environmental conservation through tree planting. The project also incorporates the setting up of communal woodlots through a Farmer’s Outreach program, managed by project partner Better Globe Forestry.

The students spent the night camping at Fisherman’s Camp, a first time experience for all of them including the teachers that will forever remain etched in their memories.

Check out the slideshow for more pics.

Follow us on Twitter through @KenGen_Foundatn and like our Facebook page for more updates.

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

The dimly lit tunnel leading into Gitaru Power Plant was eerily silent as 30 students from Tulimyumbu Primary School, Machakos, and their ‘green’ teachers, descended towards the powerhouse.

READ MORE: Exciting Mombasa Tour for GIC Phase II Winners

Hushed whispers and fast shuffling shoes followed the station’s tour guide as he led the 3^rd runners up of Phase II of the schools tree planting competition, the Schools’ Green Initiative Challenge (GIC) on their award trip on 14 August.

 

Even as the turbines rumbled and tried to drown out the guide’s voice, the students’ and teacher’s curiosity was evident as they stared at the huge machines, occasionally asking a question or two before scribbling in their notebooks.

ALSO READ: GIC II Runners Up Fun at Olkaria

Tulimyumbu Primary School registered the third highest tree seedlings survival rates in Phase II of the tree planting competition, which concluded earlier in the year, beating 117 other schools to be awarded with a 10,000 liter water, a trip to Gitaru

Power Plant, cash prize and certificates. The KenGen Foundation, in partnership with Bamburi Cement ltd., and better Globe Forestry is the lead implementer of the 10-year school-based afforestation project.

With the relief of finally being above ground, the student took a brief excursion to Gitaru dam, where the guide Edwin Ndegwa, an engineering student from Mt. Kenya University, explained the mechanics of operating and managing a hydro-electric dam, before they visited the station’s tree nursery, where they had received their initial 300 seedlings for the competition.

As part of the company’s environmental policy, KenGen distributes tree seedlings to communities around its power plants to help conserve the environment, and the students were urged to continue planting trees even outside the GIC by visiting Gitaru and asking for seedlings.

Currently involving more than 300 schools at Embu, Kitui, and Machakos counties, the GIC is a 10-year afforestation project modeled as a competition between participating schools in 2-year phases. Due to the extreme arid weather in the project area, the GIC is dubbed as a challenge as the schools also compete in employing tree-growing innovations such as mulching and drip irrigation to earn more points against their competitors.

 

After a sumptuous lunch at Matendeni Senior Staff club, the students couldn’t wait to jump into the swimming pool for the rest of the afternoon.

“I can’t thank the KenGen Foundation and the Green Initiative Challenge project partners for making our day”, said the school’s headmaster Mr. Charles at the end of the day. “Tulimyumbu Primary School has something to smile about as we head home from this trip”.

Check out the slideshow for more..

Follow us on Twitter through @KenGen_Foundatn and like our Facebook page for more updates.

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

Global corporate philanthropy has reinvented itself in recent years following the unveiling of the UNDP Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. The practice of giving out one-off cheques to address social issues is slowly fading out, as strategic partnerships take over in order to meet diverse social-economic challenges while at the same time ensuring sustainable business operations.

Finding the right partner, especially in the execution of Corporate Social Investment activities is crucial to the success of securing the social license for businesses operating in a particular area. When a businesses CSI activities mirrors or complements another, then there are opportunities for convergence in execution.

Bamburi Cement Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Development Director Susan Maingi, former KenGen Foundation Managing Trustee Mike Njeru and Better Globe Forestry Managing Director Jean-Paul Deprins at Thua Primary School, Kitui.

During the recent KenGen’s G2G annual energy and innovation conference, whose theme was “Fostering Partnerships for Infrastructure and Industrialization” a unique CSI partnership went on to win in the exhibitions category.

READ MORE:Surprise Win for GIC during KenGen’s 2018 G2G

The Schools Green Initiative Challenge (GIC), KenGen Foundation’s flagship environment program, showcased how the power of collaboration can be successful in addressing climate change and poverty alleviation with multiple benefits.

The GIC is a unique partnership between KenGen Foundation, KenGen, Better Globe Forestry Limited, and Bamburi Cement. The project’s main objective is the greening of over 460 acres in the semi-arid counties of Embu, Kitui and Machakos with Mukau (M. Volkensii) and Muveshi (S. Siamea) tree species as a way of mitigating climate change, providing wood fuel, and alternative income opportunities for the local communities. The project concentrates on utilizing school communities to develop woodlots and small forests with the school compounds

The GIC involves schools nurturing the drought resistant trees to maturity, with the best performing schools benefiting in attractive awards including education scholarships, school trips, infrastructural developments, and cash awards. Currently, there are 400 schools from the three counties involved in the project since inception in 2013.

Better Globe Forestry, a Norwegian afforestation company that focuses on poverty reduction through massive tree-planting and sustainable agricultural programs, microfinance schemes, educational programs and water supply for rural communities offers technical support and provides the tree seedlings for the program. Bamburi Cement Ltd, undoubtedly one the biggest names in corporate conversation and a subsidiary of LafargeHolcim, the world leader in building materials, equips the GIC schools with operational, infrastructural support and education scholarships.

Environmental club patrons, dubbed “Green teachers”, are also involved in the competition. Apart from undergoing trainings in tree and nursery management, innovative teachers are rewarded and recognized in their own right.

The afforestation competition is in line with the Government of Kenya’s Vision 2030 to achieve 10% forest cover across the country, and also aims to raise the awareness and participation of school children in environmental conservation activities. It also aligns itself with the Big Four agenda as the project touches on the production and sale of housing and manufacturing materials, and fruit trees as alternative sources of nutrition for the schools.

Thua Primary School pupils plant trees at Haller Park, Mombasa. The school won Phase II of the GIC to be awarded with an educational trip at the coastal city.

Through the setting up of woodlots in participating schools, the GIC partnership acts as a change agent within the communities to establish a tree-planting culture for multiple benefits in dry-land areas. The sustainable management of tree nurseries and woodlots provides the participating schools and surrounding communities with a renewable source of wood fuel and commercial trees for commercial benefits.

ALSO READ: Exciting Mombasa Tour for GIC Phase II Winners

It is the clear purpose and convergence of interest which has enabled the four organizations, KenGen Foundation, KenGen, Bamburi Cement and Better Globe Forestry engage in a highly successful partnership worthy of a study case for other corporates looking forward to engage in a worthy partnership for the social good.

Follow us on Twitter through @KenGen_Foundatn and like our Facebook page for more updates.

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

In a colorful ceremony held at Starehe Boys Centre, 20 secondary school students and 21 university students were awarded sponsorship during the Annual KenGen Education Scholarships Awards on 18 April. This is the 13^th batch that the Company is awarding education scholarships.

Mr. Joshua Choge, KenGen’s Chairman presents the scholarship to Marthe Mwanzia of Meru University. With him are Eng. Simon Ngure, Director Regulatory & Corporate Affairs and Ag. Managing Trustee Anthony Igecha.

Hosted by the KenGen Foundation, the event was graced by KenGen’s Chairman Mr. Joshua Choge; Eng. Simon Ngure – representing KenGen’s MD & CEO; Supply Chain Director Philip Yego; and Josphat Mwaura, Member of Managing Committee Starehe Boys Centre and CEO of KPMG.

Speaking during the award ceremony, Eng. Ngure reiterated the value of hard work to the scholarship recipients adding that he too was a beneficiary of the programme.

Paul Kevin, an electrical engineer at KenGen and a beneficiary of the KenGen Education Scholarships having a session with the students.

“Coming from a humble background myself, I know all to well the struggles that you go through looking for schools fees to fund your education. KenGen has so far invested over 300 million in education scholarships and other related activities towards nurturing tomorrow’s workforce and leaders, and for this we should be grateful”, he said.

READ MORE: Schools Green Initiative Challenge Welcomes 100 New Schools as Phase II Winners Recognized.

On his part, the KenGen Chairman, Mr. Joshua Choge encouraged the secondary schools students to choose relevant courses that will be marketable once they graduate to university, adding, “Through the Education Scholarships Programme, KenGen is nurturing a generation with adequate skills and know-how, capable of tackling intricate challenges of the modern world, ultimately make our country enjoy a thriving economy to sustain a strong society free from the burden of poverty and social injustice”.

Students during the KenGen Education Scholarships awards ceremony at Starehe Boys Centre, Nairobi.

The Education Scholarships Awards comes after three days of the KenGen Foundation Annual Mentorship, now in its fifth year.

The KenGen Foundation Annual Mentorship aims at guiding the scholarships beneficiaries into becoming academic giants, while at the same time encouraging the discovery of talents and nurturing of life skills to provide for a balanced approach in achieving transformational leadership.

Opinion leaders, motivational speakers, and distinguished achievers of the various industries engage the students in group lectures, interactive meetings, and team building exercises.

MORE ON THIS: Hard work Pays Off for KenGen Education Scholarship Alumni

Paul Kevin, a KenGen Education Scholarships Alumni gave a moving narration of his journey through the programme until employment into the Company. He encouraged the participants to focus, work hard, and not give up despite the challenges. Other KenGen staff who addressed the students included Henry Ithiami, the Quality & Safety Manager, and James Obondo, KenGen’s Chief Administration Officer, Medicare.

Guest artist Wahu Kagwi gave an emotional talk on how building confidence can change the participants’ outlook on life.

Guest speaker Wahu Kagwi interacts with the scholarship recipients during the KenGen Education Awards ceremony held at Starehe Boys’ Centre.

The KenGen Education Scholarship program offers learning opportunities for bright needy secondary and university students selected from the communities living near the Company’s power installations. The scholarships offer the beneficiaries opportunities to achieve academic excellence while at the same time opening doors to great careers and better futures. Currently the program has 81 university students, and 99 secondary students in various high schools and universities.

ASLO READ: A Different Life Experience for a KenGen Scholarship Recipient

Eight of the students have being sponsored by contributions from the KenGen Employee Giver Initiative, and four others from one of our project partners, Bamburi Cement Ltd.

The KenGen Foundation wishes all the scholarships beneficiaries success in their education.

Check out the photo reel below!

Follow us on Twitter through @KenGen_Foundatn and like our Facebook page for more updates.

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer