Two students from the University of Nairobi emerge as victors in a creative writing contest

 

Two students from the University of Nairobi have emerged victorious in a creative writing competition. Hope Nabalayo and Ariel Major were jointly recognized as the winners of the Asharami Synergy Kenya Creative Writing Competition. The awards ceremony was held at KCA University in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Cheryl Omolo from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology secured the second position, while Julius Musya Kilonzo from Baraton University and Nelson Gichuki from Kisii University took the third, fourth, and fifth positions, respectively.

In 2023, Asharami Synergy Kenya and the Sahara Group Foundation organized a creative writing competition for university students in Kenya. The aim was to promote greater involvement and understanding of youth in climate action, energy transition discourse, and sustainability. Dubbed the 'Asharami Synergy Creative Writing Competition', the initiative received 225 submissions from university students who submitted essays, poems, and plays on the theme of “creating a sustainable path for Africa’s energy transition.”

The winning entries were noted for their creativity, originality, and ability to convey compelling messages that could engage young Kenyans in Africa’s journey towards Energy Access and Sustainability.

Ejiro Gray from Sahara Group Foundation expressed satisfaction with the success of the competition, highlighting the importance of engaging Kenyan youth in climate change discussions. Prof. Vincent Onywera from KCA University commended Sahara Group and Asharami Synergy Kenya for their initiative, emphasizing the inclusive engagement of all stakeholders in addressing climate change.

Lavinah Gonah, operations supervisor at Asharami Synergy Kenya, praised all students who participated in the competition, reaffirming the company's commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to promote a just energy transition for Africa.

As part of Sahara Group's commitment to recognizing excellence, the top five winners received cash prizes, plaques, and certificates for their outstanding performance. Nabalayo and Major, the joint winners, received $500 each, while the third, fourth, and fifth winners received $250, $150, and $100, respectively.

Both Nabalayo and Major expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to creating sustainable solutions and stressed the importance of the competition in fostering climate justice and environmental sustainability.

In collaboration with the Sahara Group Foundation and Treedom, Asharami Synergy Kenya has initiated a tree-planting project in Kenya to reduce carbon emissions. As a leading downstream company, Asharami Synergy Kenya plays a crucial role in promoting access to reliable and clean energy solutions, thereby contributing to the nation's economic growth.