State signs MoU with KCB bank to Solarize Universities

By Wakhungu Andaje

Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the state and Kenya commercial bank (KCB) Kenya limited to support the solarisation of university institutions.

The financial institution has agreed to partner with the education sector to fast track sustainable, innovative and skills driven universities.

The partnership will facilitate the financing, installation and maintenance of solar energy and its efficiency solutions, led by energy audits and assessments of institutional power needs.

Dignitaries Led by PS Higher education and research Dr Beatrice Inyangala and KCB managing director Annastacia Kimtai pose for a photo after the successful event.

This programme will catapult universities to transition to adopt clean energy through structured asset based financing, while creating opportunities for students and university staff to gain practical skills in designing, installing, operating and maintaining solar systems. 

During the event the universities Vice-Chancellors from public universities led by their Chairperson, Prof. Daniel Njiru Mugendi; University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Prof. Eng. Ayub Gitau; Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr.-Ing. Benedict Mwavu Mutua; KCB managing director Annastacia Kimtai and her team; and other ministry of education officials

Inyangala stated that the initiative was important as it laid bare what has been the much anticipated concern within the higher learning I stitutionss.

"Our universities have stopped asking , “How do we manage what we have?” and accelerated the question, “What can we create?,Today in Nairobi, I and Mrs Annastacia Kimtai, managing director, KCB Kenya limited engaged public University Vice Chancellors on green energy, innovation and the future of African Universities.

The official signing of the MOU between the Ministry of education and Kenya commercial bank recently

"The solarisation strategic partnership with KCB is more than an agreement—it is a call to action. We must turn the university wealth of brain power into innovators in the green economy ecosystem". 

She added that the journey has begun for university leaders to transform their ideas into energy assets, campuses into innovation laboratories, and Kenya’s abundant sunshine into clean power, jobs, research and long-term financial sustainability.