For a very long period, people have been relying on the use of energy that emits gases that cause environmental pollution. However, following the effects of climate change, the need to end the use of fossil fuel has become the top desire and business to many. Environmental activists are tirelessly working to implement decarbonization technologies that will anchor an orderly transition to renewable energy.
Liz makena is a young Environmental activist born and raised in Kenya, Tharaka Nithi county. She is a summer school Alumnus from cohort IV. Liz was one of the lucky individuals from across Africa, who got the opportunity to attend the Nairobi summer school on climate justice training held in 2024.
Liz being the founder of Kijani Initiative Kenya (KIK), and an employee at Momnai Energy as the Assistant Environment, Health, Social and Safety Officer, acquired skills and education on policy interpretation, development in internal business set up that help in day-to-day management of the organization and application for mitigation and adaptation for local communities and the benefits of the organization.
She says that her skills were strengthened at summer school where she interacted with other participants, sharing ideas and thoughts on what needs to be done to curve environmental pollution, and she got assurance that her effort and activities in the community were vital in promoting a just transition to renewables. It also gave her an opportunity for partnership and there is a plan for a team building and benchmarking activities with their counterparts in Congo and Madagascar.
Kijani Initiative, begun in 2019, aims to protect, rehabilitate and care for the environment as well as empowering the youth for sustainable development. This is achieved by offering environmental education, advocacy and providing climate change mitigation initiatives in the Agricultural sector through activities like planting trees.
Momnai Energy, one of the special purpose vehicle for frontier Energy, invests in all types of renewable energy projects (Hydro, Wind, Solar and Biomass) from early stages of project development to the implementation. It has two sites, one in Athi River and the other in Mombasa.
Liz claims that she has been able to practically understand the community’s needs and has done research on the gaps and solutions towards combating the effects of climate change. She has been able to advance in her leadership and managerial skills and improve her professional proficiency.
Kijani Initiative has employed professionals working in other organizations, which makes it difficult to be consistent in the CBO. However, they provide skills and services as well as funding the services as much as they can, as Makena says.
