A trip to Olkaria Geothermal Power Station was the highlight of the Educational Tour for 30 students from Kwa Wanzilu Secondary School, runners up of Phase III of the Schools Green Initiative Challenge tree planting competition from 6-7 June.
Led by Olkaria’s Peter Karuria, KenGen’s Safety Officer, the students started their excursion at the viewpoint overlooking Olkaria AU, before proceeding to the station itself to learn more about geothermal power station. Their Green Teacher Ms. Diana Muithya, Mr. Joseph Muia, and Deputy Principal Benedetta Munguti accompanied them. Dorcas Arama, Ernest Nyamasyo, and Mary Kimani represented the KenGen Foundation, with January Muthoka, David Ndolo and Kariuki from Better Globe Forestry.
Situated at Hell’s Gate National Park, KenGen’s Olkaria Power Station is the largest geothermal power station in Africa and the second largest in the world. The power plant has 4 main units, with the latest installment Olkaria IV producing up to 140Mw. It hosts the only geothermal spa in East Africa.
The students got to experience first hand how the power plant operates. They also had a chance to interact with engineers and find out more about what is takes to become one.
Kwa Wanzilu Secondary School emerged number two after two years of competing against 100 other schools in Phase III of the GIC. The school recorded the second highest tree seedling survival rates in Machakos County.
The tree planting competition is a partnership between KenGen Foundation, Better Globe Forestry, KenGen PLC and Bamburi Cement Ltd aimed at greening over 500 acres of trees within schools at the Embu, Machakos and Embu counties. The project aims to address the challenges brought about by climate change while empowering the local communities and improving their environment. So far over 600 schools are involved in the GIC with approximately 250 acres already greened.
A brief game drive through the 56-km2 national park showcased the area’s unique flora and fauna. From jutting rock towers, to herds of buffalo and families of baboons, set in the background of rising volcanic steam, the ecstatic students couldn’t have enough of the afternoon!
Tucking in at Fisherman’s Camp, the students enjoyed a night of camping at the shores of Lake Naivasha, waking up to the indistinguishable cry of the African Fish Eagle, proud of their achievements as champions of environmental conservation.
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–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer