Mohammed Shosanya
Asharami Synergy Kenya Limited, a Sahara Group Company, has announced Hope Nabalayo and Ariel Major, both students at University of Nairobi as joint winners of its creative writing competition at an awards ceremony held at KCA University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Cheryl Omolo, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Julius Musya Kilonzo, University of Baraton, and Nelson Gichuki, Kisii University emerged third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
In 2023 Asharami Synergy Kenya and the Sahara Group Foundation organised a creative writing competition for university students in Kenya aimed at fostering greater understanding and participation of youth in climate action, energy transition discourse, and sustainability.
Tagged the ‘Asharami Synergy Creative Writing Competition,the initiative received 225 submissions from university students who sent in essays, poems and plays on “creating a sustainable path for Africa’s energy transition.”
The winning entries stood out for their 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.
“This has been mission accomplished for Sahara Group Foundation and Asharami Synergy Kenya as 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.
The quality of the entries indicate we are on course to preparing Kenya youths for a seamless generational sustainability,” said Ejiro Gray, Director, Sahara Group Foundation.
Commending Sahara Group and Asharami Synergy Kenya for the initiative, Prof. Vincent Onywera, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Outreach at KCA University said, “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.”
According to Lavinah Gonah, Operations Supervisor at Asharami Synergy Kenya, “Sahara Group is delighted at the success of the competition and commend all students who participated. Asharami Synergy Kenya remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure Kenya becomes a leading voice in driving a just energy transition for Africa.” Gonah added that Asharami Synergy Kenya in collaboration with the Sahara Group Foundation and Treedom had since commenced the planting of 1100 trees in Kenya to reduce carbon emissions.
Excited winner, Hope Nabalayo said: “Today, winning this award has validated me as a creative writer. I want to thank Asharami Synergy for giving me and many other students the opportunity to truly express ourselves, and contribute to the cause of creating sustainable solutions. Winning this award allows me to tap further into my creativity and be more vocal in environmental matters that affect Africa and knowing that as a youth I am at the forefront of fulfilling this mandate.”
Joint winner, Ariel Major said: ‘’I’m happy to have won this competition put together by the Sahara Group and Asharami Synergy Kenya. This is a milestone for me, I am passionate about climate justice and climate change. This competition is a step towards developing a clean Kenya and a clean Africa”.
Third-placed Cheryl said: “I am very happy to emerge as one of the winners and intend to continue contributing my thoughts on sustainability on many more platforms. I am grateful to Asharami Synergy Kenya and the Sahara Group Foundation for this laudable initiative. ”
In line with Sahara Group’s dedication to celebrating and rewarding excellence, the top five winners received cash prizes, plaques, and certificates for their excellent performance. The joint winners received $500 each, while the third, fourth and fifth winners received $250, $150, and $100, respectively.
In addition, outstanding entries will be published on the competition’s dedicated portal and other platforms.
