University of Nairobi students win climate change competition

Head Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma, with different winners from universities, at the awards ceremony of the Asharami Synergy Kenya Creative Writing Competition at KCA University, Nairobi. [File]

Students at the University of Nairobi, Hope Nabalayo and Ariel Major, emerged winners of the Asharami Synergy creative writing competition.

The competition announced last year attracted two hundred and twenty-five submissions from university students who sent in essays, poems, and plays on "creating a sustainable path for Africa's energy transition."

The competition is aimed at fostering greater understanding and participation of youth in climate action, energy transition discourse, and sustainability.

At an award ceremony held at KCA University, Nairobi, Cheryl Omolo, of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, emerged third.

Julius Musya Kilonzo, of Baraton University and Nelson Gichuki of Kisii University emerged fourth and fifth, respectively.

Creativity, originality, and ability to convey compelling messages capable of facilitating the participation of young Kenyans in Africa's March towards energy access and sustainability stood out for the winning entries.

The top five winners received cash prizes, plaques, and certificates for their excellent performance.

The joint winners received Sh72,000 each, while the third, fourth, and fifth winners received Sh36,000, Sh21,000, and Sh14,000, respectively.

The competition is an initiative by Asharami Synergy Kenya Limited, a Sahara Group Company.

Speaking at the event, Ejiro Gray, Director, of Sahara Group Foundation, stated that the qualities of entries indicated that the Kenyan youth are on course for seamless generational sustainability.

"Our focus was to get youths in Kenya involved in the conversation around climate change and energy transition in Africa, especially seeing that they will bear the brunt of decisions made today," said Gray.

Prof. Vincent Onywera, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Outreach at KCA University called for inclusive stakeholder engagement in addressing matters to do with climate change.

"Climate change is a matter that calls for inclusive engagement of all stakeholders leaving no one behind, so this creative writing competition for our youths is important because we must catch them young," he said.

Lavinah Gonah, Operations Supervisor at Asharami Synergy Kenya, stated that the company remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure Kenya becomes a leading voice in driving a just energy transition for Africa.