GIC Sustainability Champions Mombasa Tour
Thirty students from D.E.B Karuari Secondary School in Mbeere North, Embu County, were recently treated to an educational tour of Mombasa after emerging overall winners of Phase VI of the Green Initiative Challenge (GIC). The school topped more than 100 others from Embu, Kitui, and Machakos counties by recording the highest tree survival rate and demonstrating innovation in woodlot development.
The four-day tour, held from April 22 to 25, was organized by the KenGen Foundation in partnership with Better Globe Forestry. The GIC, now in its sixth phase, is a ten-year environmental conservation program that engages schools in semi-arid regions to grow and care for trees as part of climate change mitigation efforts. Since its inception, the program has reached over 800 schools and planted more than 150,000 seedlings, reinforcing KenGen’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
The group traveled by SGR, many for the first time, and was accompanied by teachers, the Sub-County Director of Education for Mbeere North, and Better Globe Forestry’s M&E officer. Three of the most innovative “Green Teachers” of Phase VI also joined the trip. Representing KenGen Foundation were Principal Programs Officer Elishibah Msengeti, Communications Officer Ernest Nyamasyo, and Finance Officer Dorcas Arama.
The itinerary included educational visits to Fort Jesus—where students explored the coastal city’s colonial heritage—and to KenGen’s Kipevu III Power Plant, the company’s thermal facility. At Kipevu, students interacted with engineers and learned about Kenya’s energy mix and future pathways for cleaner power.
Another key highlight was the visit to Bamburi’s Haller Park, a globally recognized model of successful land reclamation. Students toured nature trails, observed diverse wildlife, and visited the Butterfly Pavilion. The experience showcased the potential of sustainable rehabilitation and corporate environmental responsibility.
“This trip was designed to show students the real-world impact of environmental stewardship, and to inspire them to become lifelong ambassadors of sustainability,” said Elishibah Msengeti. “By exposing them to renewable energy, restoration efforts, and historical contexts, we hope to deepen their understanding of their role in climate action.”
The Principal and teachers of D.E.B Karuari Secondary School, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the organizers. “We are deeply grateful to the KenGen Foundation and all partners involved. This trip was not just a reward—it was a life-changing experience for our students. It has opened their minds and broadened their ambitions.”
As the students departed Mombasa, they left not only with souvenirs and memories, but with a renewed sense of purpose. They returned to Embu as environmental ambassadors—motivated, informed, and committed to greening their communities one tree at a time.
