KenGen this past Wednesday bid farewell to Mike Njeru whose glamorous career came to an end in the month of February after serving the sector for 28 years.

In a colourful farewell party that was held at Sankara hotel organised by the KenGen Foundation, friends and family gathered together to pay their tribute to former KenGen foundation trustee Mike Njeru.

KenGen Chairman Mr. Joshua Choge presents a gift to outgoing KenGen Foundation Managing Trustee Mike Njeru during the event.

Speaking at the party, the Chairman of the Board Joshua Choge, said that Mike will be remembered for the critical role he played building the KenGen corporate identity after the company separated from KPLC to become a strong, attractive brand that it is today.

At the same time the Chairman heaped praises on Mike particularly for the role he played in the community management by creating the stakeholders coordination committees that ensured the company undertook projects smoothly.

Mr. Choge singled out the establishment of the KenGen Foundation which he said was Mike’s greatest legacy adding that through the foundation, KenGen had changed the lives of many Kenyans.

Addressing the congregation, Chief Guest Mike Njeru narrated how he was headhunted by former KPLC Samuel Gichuru to join the Public relation industry having previously served as a Journalist at the Voice of Kenya (VOK), Kenya Times and the Standard Media Group and how he ended in Philanthropy as the KenGen foundation managing trustee.

Outgoing ManagingnTrustee Mike Njeru during his send off party

“It was my desire to retire at the age of 55 and I remember in the year 2012, I went to the former MD Eddy Njoroge and told him you know what in December I want to retire at the age of 55 because I don’t feel challenged to work in Corporate Affairs anymore. That work should be done by young people and he said NO!. We have been talking about starting a foundation suppose I allow you to retire then I give you a contract to start a foundation hence I took up the new challenge first of all working in a completely new field coming from Corporate Affairs to Philanthropy.” He stated.

Mr. Njeru also stated that he felt he had left the Foundation on the runaway and that he believes his successor will be able to take off and take the foundation to greater heights and also thanked the KenGen staff for their continuous support through the giver initiative.

The KenGen Foundation team presents their gift to their outgoing boss Mike Njeru during the event.

“One thing that has helped shape the foundation is the KenGen Staff who believe in the foundation and have become one of the main players in terms of fundraising and so on. As at the moment, I think more than half of KenGen staff are members of the giver-initiative. I don’t think there is any other foundation in the country that has involved its staff to that extent.” He said.

On the future of the KenGen Foundation, Mike stated that it was everybody’s responsibility in KenGen to realise that the organisation is a baby of the company and it is the objective of the company to support and protect it to enhance its growth.

He further expounded on his two months of retirement experience where he stated one is likely to get away with certain things.

He gave an example of how he was recently stopped by a young policeman who ended up not booking him based on the account of being a senior citizen.

He wrapped up his speech by giving five take home points: Always enjoy your work at all times; be yourself; save and invest; make friends and keep them; and lastly make a very good plan for your retirement.

Business Performance Director David Muthike represented the MD & CEO Mrs. Rebecca Miano during the event.

For her part, KenGen MD & CEO Rebecca Miano, in a speech read on her behalf by Strategy and Business Performance Director David Muthike stated that she had worked with Mike for many years and one thing she always struggled to emulate from him was his ability to always remain cool, calm, and collected even in the most demanding of circumstances.

“Mike would always afford a smile and a joke and that character endeared him to everyone who worked with him. Mike is indeed a free spirit, a happy soul and somebody you can always count on for support.” emphasised the MD & CEO.

She recalled how she knew Mike Njeru since he joined Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) as the Communications Manager when she was a junior lawyer in the Company Secretary’s office at KPLC.

“As destiny would have it, we were the unfortunate lot to be moved to the faceless company when in 1997 the sector was reformed which came with unbundling of the energy sector.

“Mike and I worked very closely during the formative stages of the brand. At that time, he was Corporate Affairs manager and the work of creating the new brand was one of his key assignments. Today, without fear, I can proudly say that the KenGen corporate brand is Mike’s brainchild and for this the company is forever grateful for the sacrifices he and the team made to get this done. Today we enjoy the fruits of that history thanks to you Mike,” she reiterated.

Other Key speakers during the farewell party included former KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Albert Mugo, Human Resources andAdministration Director, Abraham Serem, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Director Eng. Simon Ngure, KenGen Foundation Board of Trustees Paul Wambugu, and KenGen Foundation Acting Managing Trustee Anthony Igecha.

Others were CEO, East Africa Philanthropy Network, Evans Okinyi, Managing Director, Better Globe Forestry Ltd, Jean-Paul Deprins, Director, Corporate Affairs, Communication and Sustainable Development, Susan Maingi, family and friends who all paid tribute to Mike’s amazing journey at KenGen.

PHOTOS:

The road leading to Mashamba Primary School, Embu County, can best be described as a cattle track. The surrounding environment appears barren, devoid of any vegetation.

Under the scorching sun, sparsely scattered lone trees, stripped off their greenery, and covered with the area’s red soil, paint a picture of desperation. Cattle and donkeys with empty containers on their backs lead their masters in search of water.

But Mashamba Primary School is different. The school’s compound is in stuck contrast with the surrounding environment.

Mashamba Primary School Green Teacher Paul Kiilu showcases the school’s woodlot during the launch of Phase IV of the GIC.

Boasting of a healthy 0.5 acre woodlot, the school was also the location of the launch of Phase IV of the Schools’ Green Initiative Challenge (GIC) on 28 February.

100 new schools joined the tree planting competition, KenGen Foundation’s flagship environment project, during the colorful event that also saw winners of Phase II of the GIC awarded prizes after two years of intense tree growing, despite the harsh climatic conditions.

READ MORE: KenGen Scoops Best Corporate (State Agency) Tree Growing And Forest Conservation Award

Speaking during the event, out going KenGen Foundation Managing Trustee Mike Njeru welcomed the new schools to the afforestation project, and lauded the winners of Phase II while encouraging them “to continue with the innovative measures you [sic] adopted over the last three years to maintain the beautiful woodlots that you now have”.

Outgoing Managing Trustee Mike Njeru urges the participating schools to continue in nurturing their woodlots even after the GIC competition ends.

Thua Primary School led the pack of 120 school involved in Phase II of the competition to emerge the winner with a score of 84%, while the host, Mashamba Primary School, followed with a score of 77%. Tulimyumbu Primary School, from Machakos County clinched the third position with a mean score of 75%.

The KenGen Foundation, in partnership with the champion of dry land forestry Better Globe Forestry, and leader of habitat restoration Bamburi Cement Ltd., implements the tree planting competition within targeted schools at the semi-arid counties of Embu, Kitui, and Machakos.

ALSO READ: 1st Capacity Building Workshop Sets Agenda for GIC Phase IV

Designed as a challenge due to the harsh climatic conditions, schools are awarded point for the seedlings survival rates at the end of a two-year period. Other factors include innovations such as individual tree adoptions by students and teachers; mulching; fencing; and drip irrigation among others.

Present at the event was KenGen’s Operation’s Director Eng. Solomon Kariuki who reiterated the Company’s continued investment “in long-term sustainable environmental conservation programs with GIC targeting schools and their surrounding communities”.

“It is worth to note that this unique program encourages environmental consciousness and conservation awareness among school children right from an early age to encourage and sustain their enthusiasm in caring for their environment as they grow to adulthood”, he added.

Eng. Solomon Kariuki, KenGen’s Operations Director, plants a tree at Mashamba Primary School to commemorate the event.

Since inception in 2015 with an initial 81 schools from Embu and Machakos, the GIC has grown to involve more than 300 schools inclusive of Kitui County. The afforestation project targets the greening of over 500 acres of semi-arid land as a way of mitigating climate change and providing wood fuel and alternative income opportunities for the local communities.

Susan Maingi, Bamburi Cement Ltd. Director, Corporate Affairs, Communications & Sustainable Development said “Bamburi is proud to be playing its role in environmental conservation and restoration, and mitigating the impacts of climate change through the GIC partnership”.

“As we launch Phase IV today, we remain committed to working with the communities through such collaborations with like-minded organizations, to jointly reverse the climate change effects in arid and semi-arid Areas in Kenya”, she added.

Jan Vandenabeele, Executive Director Better Globe Forestry said: “We wish to encourage all those involved in the GIC to adapt their individual successes at their homesteads, as environmental conservation requires our collective efforts. We are proud of the winners and welcome the new schools into this noble initiative”.

The Schools Green Initiative Challenge incorporates three of the 17 recently unveiled UN Sustainable Development Goals namely Quality Education, Climate Change, Clean Water & Sanitation. Best performing schools stand a chance of winning education trips, scholarships, water tanks, infrastructure development, cash prizes among others.

Susan Maingi, Bamburi Cement Ltd. Director, Corporate Affairs, Communications & Sustainable Development, presents Thua Primary School with the winner’s cheque during the event.

Speaking during the event, KenGen’s Director Dr. Musa Arusei noted that it was “commendable that thousands of school going children are learning valuable skills of planting and nurturing trees, which they will spread to their homes and communities”.

“It is with this in mind that the company continues to invest in long-term social investment programs such as the GIC, which is dedicated to environmental conservation by promoting a tree planting culture with particular emphasis to the school children, who are indeed the best transformational agents for a better environment”, he added.

MORE ON THIS: New M&E Officers for Phase IV of Schools Tree-planting Competition 

Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta recognized KenGen as the Best Corporate category during the inaugural Tree Growing and Forest Conservation Awards 2017, with the GIC project contributing enormously to this award.

The GIC is set to expand to other counties where KenGen has operations, with tree planting activities planned for Western Hydros, Olkaria, Mombasa and Turkana Counties.

Currently, tree seedlings are being distributed to the new schools in order to take advantage of the ongoing rains.

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

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

With the holiday season approaching fast, the KenGen Foundation hosted the recently nominated Champions of the Employee Giver Initiative for their inaugural sensitization workshop which was held at RBS Plaza 2 on 20^th November.

The 17 Giver Champions from Central Office, Upper Tana, Eastern Hydros, Kipevu, Western Hydros, and Olkaria were taken through the set up of the Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility structures and Corporate Social Investments activities in relation to the functions of the KenGen Foundation as the philanthropic arm of KenGen.

The Foundation’s Managing Trustee addresses Giver Champions during the inaugural sensitisation workshop held at RBS Plaza.

Addressing the Giver Champions, the Foundation’s Managing Trustee Mike Njeru appreciated their volunteering spirit of the Champions in taking the lead of implementing short-term area charitable activities under the Company’s Employee Giver Initiative. Slightly over 48per cent of KenGen staff have now subscribed to the initiative.

“This is an exciting phase of the Giver Initiative as the Foundation delegates and empowers staff Givers to play an active role in executing both long term and short-term community projects at area level”, he said.

“Apart from being the liaison between area Givers and the Foundation, the Champions are also charged with the responsibility of identifying impactful community projects and mobilizing area Givers to participate in their implementation. ”, he added.

The Foundation’s Snr. Fundraising Officer Cathy Kwena during the workshop.

The Giver Champions will play a huge role during this year’s #Giving Tuesday slated for November 28, and celebrated globally. On that day individuals, communities, and organizations come together to celebrate and encourage giving.The Giver champions will plan and coordinate area activities for the day as part of the Company and Givers participation in the global event.

#GivingTuesdayprovides a platform for participating organizations and individuals to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address local challenges. #GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of social media, and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities.

The nomination of the 17 Giver champions is a milestone for KenGen, as their role in the areas will enhance the Company’s image as a responsible corporate citizen. The Champions will coordinate the area activities under the Foundation’s three pillars of sustainability namely Education, environment, Water & Sanitation.

All Givers are encouraged to join in the #GivingTuesday activities and share pictures on social media using the harsh-tag #GivingTuesday, #GivingTuesdayKe, and #KenGenFoundation.

Staff interested in joining the Employee Giver Initiative can do so by contacting Lydia Mbaka through ext. 6709.

Kenneth Otieno (Eastern Hydros), Peter Ngachuro (Western Hydros), and Charity Ndwiga (Upper Tana).

Patrick Ndirangu and Mary Nancy (Eastern Hydros).

Frankline Omumamu (Olkaria).

Issac Asienwa (Kipevu).

Kimani Kang’ethe.

Dorcas Arama (Accounts Officer), Lydia Mbaka (Admin Officer), and Cathy Kwena (Snr. Fundraising Officer).

Anthony Igecha (Snr. Programs Officer).

David Ochieng (Olkaria).

Peter Ngachuro (Western Hydros).

Patrick Olum (Central Office).

Charity Ndwiga (Upper Tana).

Joyce Wambua (Olkaria).

Omar Sokar Abdi.

Hellen Onchari (Western Hydros).

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

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

The KenGen Foundation wrapped up the Employee Giver Initiative recruitment exercise at Olkaria by registering 135 new Givers from the power stations from 2 to 5 October. This raised the number of the area Givers to 284.

The Foundation team was warmly welcomed at Geothermal Plaza, the power stations and the rigs as Olkaria staff enthusiastically inquired about the Company’s Corporate Social Investment activities while subscribing to the Initiative.

And in a befitting appreciation ceremony, the area Givers were treated to a cocktail at the Geothermal Plaza where they had a chance to meet and mingle with the chief guests, Mike Njeru, the Foundation’s Managing Trustee, Abraham Serem, KenGen’s Human Resources Director, and Eng. Peter Ouma acting on behalf of Geothermal Development Director, Eng. Abel Rotich.

HR Director Abraham Serem addressing the Olkaria Givers.

Addressing the Givers, Mr. Serem praised those who made the choice to become new subscribers to the initiative in the area. He also thanked the Foundation for starting the initiative, which is currently supporting scholarships for eight students in secondary school.

READ MORE: Giver Numbers Hit 1,200 As 28 Eastern Hydros Staff Sign Up

Mike Njeru welcomed the new Givers and thanked them for their selflessness in committing their resources to transforming the lives of the less fortunate in the society.

Foundation’s Managing Trustee Mike Njeru during the event.

“I’m more than humbled by the numbers of those who have subscribed to the initiative in Olkaria in the last few days’, Mike said in his keynote speech.

“Olkaria has so far seen the highest number of subscribers this year, and I encouraged the Givers to recruit their counterparts who are yet to sign up”, he added.

READ MORE: Giver Initiative Welcomes Upper Tana Champions

In a tight nomination to select the area Giver Champions, Frankline Omumamu was elected to represent Olkaria’s Drilling and Logistics, with David Odek designated to take lead at the Power Stations and Wellheads. Kimani Kangethe and Joyce Wambua were unanimously elected as the Champions for Olkaria’s Geothermal Plaza, Science Labs & Geothermal Club.

The Foundation’s Managing Trustee Mike Njeru and Snr. Fundraising Oocicer Cathy Kwena pose with Olkaria Giver champions.

The new Champions join their counterparts from other KenGen power stations to guide in the coordination and implementation of the area’s CSI activities, while acting as a bridge between the Givers and the Foundation.

Acapella group Ninga Melodies brought the house down with an electrifying performance as the Givers danced to Kenya’s popular song renditions, marking the end of the 2017 Employee Giver Initiative areas recruitment and appreciation exercise

The Employee Giver Initiative is a unique program for KenGen staff to be directly involved in the company’s CSI activities. Subscribers contribute through monetary donations ortheir time and skills towards the Foundation’s three pillars of sustainability namely Education, Environment, Water and Sanitation.

KenGen staff wishing to join the Giver Initiative can contact the Foundation’s Administration Officer Lydia Mbaka through [email protected] or through extension 6709. They can also see their local champions for guidance.

See how the cocktail went down below…

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

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

Upper Tana Givers unanimously elected Charity Ndwiga and Yusuf Issa as the area Champions during an elaborate luncheon held at the Upper Tana Community Hall to appreciate the station’s staff contributions to KenGen’s Corporate Social Investment efforts on 7 September.

Upper Tana power station Givers during the appreciation luncheon held at the community hall.

The event also saw 16 more staff members subscribe to the initiative, raising the total number of Upper Tana Givers to 46, an indication that 45% of the power station workers are committed to the company’s CSI activities.

READ MORE: New Givers Sign Up at the 5th G2G Innovation Seminar

Charity, Upper Tana’s Administrative Assistant, has been an active Giver since signing up on April 2015, while Yusuf Issa, who works as Wanji Station’s Superintendent joined the initiative 2 years ago.

Speaking during the event, Upper Tana’s Station Manager Elijah Kibathi lauded the new Givers for joining the initiative and urged them to mobilise each other in order to raise the percentage of subscribers.

Upper Tana power station manager Elijah Kibathi addresses the Givers during the luncheon.

Mike Njeru, the KenGen Foundation’s Managing Trustee welcomed the new Givers and congratulated the newly elected champions who will serve as the area’s activities coordinators.

The Foundation’s Managing Trustee Mike Njeru welcomes the new Givers.

Upper Tana station manager Elijah Kimathi, the Foundation’s Managing Trustee Mike Njeru cut a cake with area champions Yusuf Issa and Charity Ndwiga.

Yusuf Issa gets a piece of the cake…

….Charity Ndwiga was not to be left behind...

The Employee Giver Initiative is a unique program for KenGen staff to be directly involved in the company’s CSI activities. Subscribers contribute through monetary donations, their time, and skills towards the Foundation’s three pillars of sustainability namely Education, Environment, Water and Sanitation.

READ MORE: Central Office Boosts Givers numbers

The Givers recruitment and appreciation ceremonies continue at other KenGen areas over the next month.

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

–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer

The new Megawatt Café situated at 11th floor of KenGen Pension Plaza 2 opened its doors on 5th January bringing a new culinary experience to Central Office staff.

With a classy and elegant ambience, the café offers dine-in options with seating for 52, a panoramic view of Nairobi City and comfortable booth and free style seating areas against a back drop of warm recessed LED lights.

Mike Njeru chatting with a diner at the new Megawatt Cafe.

“The opening of the café is definitely a new and exciting chapter for KenGen’s staff and visitor’s as it will not only cater to individuals’ tastes, but also serve meetings and outside guests”, said Mike Njeru, KenGen Foundation Managing Trustee while welcoming the first diners at the Café.

The café’s menu, created by the Restaurant Manager Jovita Ateya and Chef Anthony Kiarie, is diverse. For breakfast, there is a variety of popular snacks including American and lemon pancakes and other continental bites as well as the local nduma (arrow root) and ngwaci (sweet potatoes) The main course list excites the taste buds with a variety of meals including roast chicken, grilled lamb chops, steaks, fish, and burgers. The menu

In June 2016, KenGen employees volunteers, under the Giver Initiative from Centrl Office led by the immediae Rt. Operations Director, Eng. Nderitu in planting trees at the Nairobi National Park- Greenline buffer zone. Last weekend, the Foundation yet again provided these givers with an opportinity to make a second visit to the park to see how the trees they had planted are doing as well as an opportunity to see the work that other Corporate Givers’ were doing in the Inaugural Walk in the Park.

Nairobi Greenline Project is a partnership of Kenya Wildlife Service and other corporate organizations such as KenGen, APA Insurance, CopyCat, AAR, TARPO, Interswitch, Alana among others. These organizations aim at conserving Nairobi city’s landmark to create a buffer zone at the park in order to curb encroachment of this unique eco-system.

As one of its key pillars, KenGen Foundation actively contributes towards environmental conservation initiatives through various partnerships such as the GIC and Employee Giver Initiative for the Environment.

The first edition of the ‘Walk in the Park’ started with great enthusiasim by KenGen staff representatives to participate in the 11Km walk in the park, planting of trees and a picnic at one of the park’s picnic sites.

Under the punitive scorching sun of the semi-arid areas of of Embu, Kitui and Machakos counties, the Schools Green Initiative Challenge Steering Committee endured rough and dusty roads in a two-day inspection tour to assess the progress of the tree-planting project  from 15 – 16th September.

The team, led by the Foundation’s Managing Trustee Mike Njeru with Better Globe’s Managing Director Jean-Paul Deprins, and Bamburi Cement Ltd. Corporate Affairs, Communications and Sustainable Development Director Susan Maingi, toured several schools participating in the 10-year tree planting competition that aims to green over 460 acres of the three semi-arid counties with wood fuel and commercial tree species.

Better Globe Forestry’s Managing Director Jean-Paul Deprins plants a tree at Thua Primary School.

At Thua Primary School, Kitui County, the team were well received by the school’s headmistress Mrs. Tabitha Mwinzi, and the green teacher Mr Samuel Kitheka who showcased the various innovations they have employed at their woodlots. The school’s environmental club has 47 members dedicated to the nurturing of the tree seedlings.

Read: Nakuru County Next Frontier for GIC

Still at Kitui County, the next stop was Muthoani Primary School, where the neighbouring community has also adopted the tree-planting project. According to the green teacher Mr. Festus Ngau, “despite water challenges, we have partnered with our neighbours to set up a tree nursery at the school from where the community members can acquire seedlings. The schools environmental club members are the ones who tend to the seedlings”.

Kitui County’s Masukanioni Primary School’s green Teacher Mr. Patrick Kyeli informed the Technical Committee members that the students’ parents are very much involved in the development of the project.

The KenGen Foundation marked the 11th anniversary of the KenGen Education Scholarships and the conclusion of the 3rd session of the Annual Mentorship on 24 August at Starehe Boys Centre, Nairobi.

KenGen’s Finance Manager and KenGen Foundation Trustee Henry Nyachae addressing students during the opening day of the Annual Mentorship 2016

In total about 164 beneficiaries were present to celebrate with the management and other mentors from both KenGen and other leaders in society. Among them, 54 were this year’s recipients of the scholarships.

Speaking during the three-day event that started Sunday to Wednesday this week, the KenGen Foundation Managing Trustee Mike Njeru said: “Today, our mentorship program offers exciting, experiential learning that require problem solving skills, talent enhancement, innovation, entrepreneurship and academic excellence.”

The KenGen scholarship program started in 2005, and has seen over 600 students benefit from it.

The scholarship program now includes a three-day mentorship program that commenced three years ago when KenGen Foundation created a program to support the evolving opportunities that surrounds students both in academics and c

KenGen Education scholarships beneficiaries engaged in an outdoor motivational activity.

o-curriculum activities.

Mr. Njeru further said: “Through our partners Peak Performance program, we are proud to do our part in helping realize an all rounded graduates each year.”

Cathy, Anthony, Dorcas, Joseph, Mike, Ernest, Lydia, and Jovita.

The KenGen Foundation team held its inaugural team building exercise at the coast last week which was characterized by hard work and fun. Apart from taking time to give a critical look on the achievements they have made in the last three and half years since it was established, the team reviewed the Foundation’s 3-year Strategic Plan in relation to the set targets and their integration with the overall objectives of the Company.

Led by the Foundation’s Managing Trustee Mike Njeru, the team building sessions included performance evaluations, programs reviews, and discussions on the future operations of the organisation. The team also explored various strategies of streamlining its engagements with all stakeholders, both internal and external for greater and more sustainable impact of all CSI projects it undertakes. 

But besides the hard work and many hours spent in closed doors, there was also fun.

The team-building program included several outdoor activities and tours to enhance cohesion and teamwork.