Environment and Natural Resources CS Prof. Judi Wakhungu and Kenyatta University acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul K. Wainaina are showed environmentally friendly briquettes manufactured locally that are being exhibited at the Africa innovation festival at Kenyatta University.
Entrepreneurs have been challenged to pursue ventures that can protect the environment and generate income thereby creating job opportunities. Addressing participants while opening the first ever Africa Innovation Festival at Kenyatta University, Environment and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary Prof Judi Wakhungu urged young people to look at business opportunities presented and help conserve and protect the environment while financially empowering themselves.
The three day innovation festival has attracted exhibitors and inventors who are showcasing manufactured products manufactured that focus on energy conservation and creates business opportunities. The innovation festival is a project of the Kenyatta University Chandaria Business Innovation and Incubation Center and has attracted exhibitors and participants from around the country.
Some of the exhibitors include briquette makers, organic fertilizer manufacturers and energy saving jikos distributors. The festival theme is: Climate change mitigation and adaption and aims at identifying innovative solutions to climate change. The best exhibitor will walk away with a $5,000 (Ksh500,000) prize.
Prof. Wakhungu noted the Africa Innovation Festival is meant to provide a platform for innovators to showcase their innovations and ideas and Kenyatta University has been recognized for taking the lead in support of Innovation Festivals that has helped achieve the objective of United Nations of climate change.
She revealed the government ministry has developed a climate change response action and the state expects institutions of higher learning, tertiary institutions and secondary schools to support innovation that will enable support in climate change.
She urged the private sector to support the government in strengthening the innovation systems. The acting Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University, Prof. Paul K. Wainaina said the University will support innovation and technology that will help deal with climatic changes and empower young people to be entrepreneurs in line with the tenets of the KU Chandaria Business Innovation and Incubation Center.