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By Tony Wafula

Vihiga County, Kenya: Youths for Green Action Kenya (YGAK) and Kaimosi Friends University (KAFU) are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening campus-based climate action, with students positioned as key drivers of sustainability and environmental leadership.

The move follows a recent forum where YGAK engaged KAFU students and administrators to explore strategic green partnerships and practical approaches to climate action within higher learning institutions. The engagement marks a critical step towards formalizing collaboration on sustainability initiatives.

Speaking during the session, YGAK Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Asiya emphasized the pivotal role universities play in shaping climate-conscious leadership.

“Universities are powerful spaces for shaping climate-conscious leadership. When students are given room to lead, sustainability stops being theory and becomes action,” Asiya stated.

He revealed that the discussions moved beyond dialogue to focus on a proposed joint sustainability project that would place students at the forefront of hands-on climate action.

“Areas of interest included campus-based environmental initiatives, student-led conservation projects, sustainability education, and youth capacity building,” he said.

According to Asiya, the envisioned partnership seeks to bridge the gap between environmental awareness and tangible impact by equipping young people with practical skills and leadership tools.

“Our goal is to ensure that young people not only understand climate issues but are also empowered to design and implement solutions within their own institutions and communities,” he noted.

To guide this collaboration, YGAK and KAFU are developing an MoU that will define areas of cooperation, roles and responsibilities, and mechanisms for long-term engagement.

“The MoU is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, paving the way for pilot sustainability projects on campus,” he added.

Dennis Asiya, YGAK Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer addressing University students during a climate forum at Kaimosi Friends University last week/TONY WAFULA.

University administrators present during the engagement expressed commitment to supporting student-led sustainability initiatives that align with climate resilience and environmental stewardship.

Asiya affirmed that the proposed partnership aligns with Kenya’s broader climate action agenda, which increasingly recognizes the role of youth and institutions of higher learning in driving locally grounded solutions.

“Once formalized, the YGAK–KAFU collaboration is expected to serve as a model for integrating sustainability into student life, research, and community engagement, while strengthening green partnerships across universities in the country,” he said.

Asiya also highlighted YGAK’s track record, achieved with critical support from their patron, Dr. Sassan Khatib Shahidi. Notable milestones include:

  • 2022: Launched the Greening Schools Initiative, planting over 10,000 trees across schools in Kakamega County.

  • 2023: Planted 100,000 trees through 200+ student volunteers and was allocated 110 acres in the Mau Forest Complex for reclamation.

  • 2024: Planted 155,000 trees in Mt. Elgon Forest in collaboration with the Kaberwa Forest Station.

  • 2025: Embarked on rehabilitating Kipkabus Forest in Elgeyo Marakwet County with 100,000 trees, aligned with World Environment Day.

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