Kabarak University Tops in Student Business Competition

By Irine Majajle

Kabarak University were crowned 2013 National Champions during the 11th Edition of the Enactus Kenya National Business and Entrepreneurship Competition held at Sarova Pan Afric Hotel on July 20, 2013.

Kabarak University trounced 15 other universities in the highly competitive community outreach projects exposition. They will proceed to Cancun, Mexico this September for the Enactus World Cup, to battle it out with other university teams from 37 countries worldwide. African Nazarene University clinched the second position while the University of Nairobi was ranked third.

Kabarak University initiated 3 projects dubbed Farnuts, KFC and Cocobs. The Farnuts Project involved helping butternut farmers from Mogotio to raise cash to purchase water pumps.

The KFC Project aimed at providing affordable meals for students and staff who cannot afford to pay for school catering services. This project has generated revenue to the team and has employed 20 people.

In the Cocobs Project, maize cobs were processed and modified Cocob to provide an alternative source of cheap energy to curb high rates of deforestation.

Africa Nazarene University team in their Canteen Project set up a modern canteen facility at their University that has employed 7 people and generates revenue to the team. In the Hamazisha project, the team partnered with Fountain Youth Initiative to train aspiring entrepreneurs on basic business management skills.

The University of Nairobi in their “Taka ni Pato” project created employment through training street families on proper garbage management. In their Sack Gardens of Kayole project, they promoted urban farming in limited land space.

The competition attracted over 400 students from 15 Enactus Kenya affiliate university teams and 21 judges drawn from 19 organizations.

The event was also graced by Deputy Head of Mission, Mexican Embassy in Nairobi,Ms. Mireya Marlene Dominguez Guilbot , Vice President, Capacity Building, Enactus International Affiliate Division, Lenah Zamchiya and Managing Director, International Affiliate Division, Jonas Atingdui.

Jonas noted that while Africa has widely been perceived as an underdog, the positive energy demonstrated by the youth in the Enactus initiative is proof that the continent has a bright future.

According to James Shikwati (Country Director, Enactus Kenya), Enactus is inculcating the culture of honest business amongst youth, as opposed to corrupt and unfair quick gain business practices.

Ms. Mireya Dominguez  hailed the Enactus Kenya initiative for facilitating partnerships among businesses, universities, students and communities.

“It is through such partnerships and knowledge exchange that we will be able to positively address challenges that humanity still faces,” she said.