Engineering pays, but flying was my first love

Q&A with Elizabeth Chege, Chairperson, Kenya Green Building Society

Chairperson Kenya Green Building Society Elizabeth Chege taken on 25th August 2015. (PHOTO: WILBERFORCE OKWIRI/STANDARD)

Many developers claim to be ‘going green’. Is the phrase becoming a marketing gimmick or are we moving towards becoming a green society?

Everybody would wish that their development was green. However, very few buildings in the country can be said to be green to the fullest extent. We have seen some structures incorporate one or two sustainable aspects such as rainwater harvesting or installation of solar panels. A truly green building, or city for that matter, must be energy and resource efficient, incorporate a design, construct and operate in a manner that reduces or eliminates negative impacts on the environment. In short, if a building is not professionally certified as green, then it is not.

But experts say Kenya leads the region in green technology...

Yes, as much as we have much to do, we are ahead of our regional neighbours. In fact, some of our best examples in green design were built way back and shortly after independence such as Parliament Buildings and the old Sheria House. However, we lost the designing skills as we copied the West where glass clad buildings are the norm due to the cold climate.

You say that we lost the skills yet our institutions of higher learning are churning out experts by the day. Where is the disconnect?

Going green should start in the heart, not just in class. Some of the courses in this field are obsolete and not adapted to the local market. Most of these “experts” actually train out there in the workplace. In fact, we are now offering our membership to students so that we can mentor them early.

Others say going green is expensive. Do you agree?

No, this is a perception. It may have been the case in the past when the technology was not as widespread as it is now. In any case, the benefits far outweigh any initial costs.

Is the Government doing enough to push green technology?

Not enough is being done. You see, many in the Government don’t think it’s their role to do that. They always feel somebody else will be there to push the green agenda. Well, if we can get the President to be our patron, then I think we can move green technology in the right direction.

You have chosen to adopt the Green Star SA-Kenya rating system for buildings rather than the pro-Western LEEDS system. Why the switch?

Actually, it is not a switch as such but adopting the South African-based model is more beneficial since it has been configured to conform to local laws. In addition, it adheres to standards set by Kenya’s statutory bodies such as Nema and Kenya Power among other regulators. It also conforms to the country’s social requirements regarding women and the youth.

You trained as an engineer. Were you ever worried about stereotypes associated with women in such “manly” fields?

Eeh...engineering pays you know. Then I had a passion for green technology while living in the UK. In fact, green designs are inherent in British standards. It’s natural. Later, when I moved to Australia, I took courses in green design, graduating with a Masters degree in Building Sciences and Sustainable Design Sciences from Sydney University.

Talking of the UK, tell us about one of the biggest projects you ever handled.

Oh yes, I actually worked as a green consultant on the new Terminal 5 that is exclusively used by British Airways. If you have seen it, it’s one of the best designed airport terminals in the world. Just so that you know, I was the only Kenyan, and a woman at that, to have worked as the lead electrical engineer for that project.

So, you may serve in the same capacity for our own Greenfield terminal at JKIA, I guess?

I wish. Well...let’s just say I am not.

You are also a qualified pilot...

Yes. Flying was my first love. You know the way people ask you what you want to be when you grow up? My family laughed out loud when I said I wanted to be a pilot. I was 10. Actually, engineering was meant to pay for my flying lessons. I learnt how to fly in Blackbushe in the UK and I,m a private pilot’s licence (PPL) holder. I did quite some flying in the UK, France and Belgium. I had to make the tough choice between flying and engineering.

And your husband, Boniface Chege, is a green technology advocate and a musician too. Looks like talent runs in your family?

Yes. He mentors young people in schools on the need to think green. We must inculcate green technology awareness to these young Kenyans right from nursery school to the oldest professionals. And by the way, I am his music producer. I may consider singing some day.

Shall we ever win the fight for green technology?

Why not? Simply put, no one should ever have a bad conscience for earning money by ruining the earth. Remember UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said there is no plan B on climate change as there is no Planet B. Failure is not an option.