It’s not often that you hear positive vibe on Kenya Power, known mostly for blackouts than the light it is supposed to provide. If not that, most Kenyans would be complaining about Kenya Power’s inflated bills or short-changed pre-paid tokens.

So it was heart-warming recently when the utility firm launched the Kenya Power Foundation, marking a significant milestone towards showing its light, or humane side, by undertaking sustainable social responsibility initiatives in all the 47 counties across the country.

To actualise this goal, the Kenya Power Foundation has committed to injecting 1% of its after-tax profit every year as seed capital, and will also leverage on partnerships and donations to boost its financial capacity to undertake social impact initiatives.

The Foundation will coordinate all the company’s social responsibility initiatives to widen their reach and impact on communities, mainly focusing on energy and environment, education and skills development, as well as social investment and community wellness.

“We recognise that as a business, our success is linked to the well-being of the communities we serve. The Foundation will allow us to consolidate and scale the impact of our corporate social initiatives, ensuring that we empower people and create long-term social value,” said Kenya Power Managing Director & CEO, Dr (Eng.) Joseph Siror.

In the last 10 years, Kenya Power has awarded more than 30 full scholarships to bright but needy students from various communities. The company has also contributed to the building and equipping of more than 60 schools to enhance learning environments. Further, the Company has planted over 600,000 trees, renovated various sports fields, and supported numerous sporting activities, among other initiatives as part of its social responsibility projects.

Speaking during its launch, Kenya Power Foundation’s Patron, Ms Logan Hambrick, noted that the Foundation would provide the critical link between Kenya Power’s business and social impact across all the communities that the company serves.

“This Foundation is a testament to the transformative role that corporations can play in uplifting communities. We aim to operate with the belief that every Kenyan, regardless of gender, disability, or background, deserves equal opportunity to benefit from our programs. As we launch this foundation, we would like to commit that our initiatives will be sustainable, scalable, and designed to uplift the communities we serve further empowering them to become self-reliant,” she said.

The Foundation’s mandate aligns with the government’s agenda to uplift communities, transform lives and empower generations, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that ensure its social contribution makes a positive impact in society.

“The Kenya Power Foundation is born from our commitment to improve lives and drive change in education, community wellness, access to clean energy, and our relationship with the environment. Drawing from the many lessons that we have learned along the way, we look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to implement innovative initiatives that better address the challenges facing our communities,” said Kenya Power’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ms Joy Brenda Masinde.

In a strategic move to enhance food security and scale sustainable poultry operations in Sub-Saharan Africa, Norfund (the Norwegian development finance institution) and Irvine’s Group have signed a $18 million (Sh2.25 billion) financing agreement to expand operations in high-impact poultry initiatives.

The investment in Buchan Limited, the Group’s holding company for its operations in Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique, and Kenya, will enable Irvine’s, already a leading poultry breeder and supplier of broiler day-old chicks (DOCs) and high-quality poultry feed across Sub-Saharan Africa, to further scale operations in East Africa.

Irvines Group, in a venture with its long-time partner Cobb, will establish a modern grandparent farm in Tanzania. This facility will breed parent stock and help reduce the timeline and logistical challenges of importation, thereby increasing the cost competitiveness and ensuring the reliability of the supply chain throughout Africa.

Speaking during the partnership announcement in Nairobi, Kenya, Norfund Regional Director, East Africa, Mr William Nyaoke, said the partnership aligns with Norfund’s commitment to foster sustainable food systems and the shared vision of both organisations to strengthen food security and make agribusiness a driving force for Africa’s economic prosperity.

“Irvine’s contribution to promoting agribusiness value chains has been instrumental in creating long-term employment for the youth, particularly in rural areas, thereby driving economic empowerment and enhancing livelihoods. By scaling production capacity and strengthening local supply chains, Norfund’s investment will improve their capability to serve more smallholder farmers and create new jobs for East Africa’s fast-growing youth population,” Mr Nyaoke said.

As a key supplier of day-old chicks and feeds to small-scale farmers, the partnership with Norfund will enhance Irvine’s total offering through increased feed and chick production, expanded technical assistance, and broader distribution networks. Additionally, Irvine’s Group will increase its procurement of essential grains, including maize and soybeans, providing further support to local farmers and strengthening regional agricultural commodities value chains.

“These funds will fuel the next chapter of our growth, enabling us to continue driving our purpose of changing lives in Africa by providing accessible, high-quality protein while empowering local businesses. This investment into the poultry industry goes beyond Irvine’s by improving our ability to supply and service our growers, thereby empowering them to uplift their communities but also drive sustainable economic growth, ensuring that nutritious protein reaches every market we serve,” Craig Irvine, Group CEO of Irvine’s Group said.

Chicken and eggs are the most affordable animal-based protein sources, and this, coupled with the projected population growth in the region, will lead to an ever-increasing need to produce quality protein in the form of chicken. Through its expanded offerings, Irvine’s is committed to making chicken and eggs an everyday source of quality and affordable protein for consumers across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Kenya Power Managing Director & CEO, Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror, Chairman, Joy Brenda Masinde, Kenya Power Foundation Patron Logan Hambrick, and Judy Njino, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Kenya during the launch of the Kenya Power Foundation at Stima Members Club in Nairobi.