Participants in the inaugural ‘Kivukoni Eco Festival have hailed the initiative as a progressive push to sensitize communities on environmental conservation.
Kivukoni Eco Festival is an annual event celebrating environmental conservation, global citizenship, and community engagement.
The festival was founded by the Kivukoni School in Kilifi led by a team of passionate environmentalists to provide an open and inclusive forum for nature exploration and community engagement.
During this year's event at Kivukoni School in Kilifi, participants got an opportunity to showcase their environment conservation strategies with winners walking home with prizes worth thousands in cash.
The event brought together leaders from Kenya’s environmental movement and citizens of all ages from the coastal region to celebrate nature, community and active hope.
Held on December 14, the festival has been hailed as ‘the future of festivals’ and gained worthy attention.
This is because of the pioneering combination of cutting-edge panel discussions and a wide variety of dance, music, arts, story, workshops, film, adventure, crafts and culture.
Some of Kenya’s most prominent environmental leaders came to participate in panels such as ‘Saving Our Seas,’ ‘Food Security in Kilifi’ ‘The Power of Women to Save the World’ and ‘Kenya’s Take on COP29’.
Elizabeth Wathuti, climate activist and founder of Green Generation Initiative termed this year's event a ‘one-for-the-books - pure magic, fun, impact and passion, all in one.’
The leaders present agreed amplified the need for a need to promote development that does not destroy the environment, and that communities must be part of the decisions that affect their lives.
David Obura, founder of CORDIO East Africa said the ‘Kivukoni Eco Festival’ was an incredible outpouring of passion and engagement by all - visitors, exhibitors, panelists, musicians, storytellers.
“The incredible show of the inspiring ideas, projects and initiatives that show the potential for sustainability today, and for greater justice and inclusion of all people. I can’t wait for the next one,” said Obura.
The Kivukoni Eco festival featured amongst other arts and cultural activities, a Lion’s Den program where seven eco-businesses pitched their sustainable ideas.
The event was a monumental success, with over 1,300 people descending onto the 10-acre site, which has been regenerated over the last 14 years of the school’s custodianship.
Over 90 per cent of festival attendees came from local communities, and there were a total of 350 sponsored tickets including free transport and meals.
Tremendous Organics emerged as the winner, receiving Sh 50,000 and mentorship to expand its impact.
Kivukoni School is a well-known international eco-school with a highly engaged following with and global community of supporters.
The school has a strong ethos of care and environmentally sound practice and intentionally aims to nurture young citizens, who will have a positive impact on society.
The school emphasizes the concept of Global Citizenship in the curriculum.
This year's festival gained substantial sponsorship, including from three major banks, (NCBA, DTB and Equity), The Mawazo Institute, Green Heart of Kenya, Grove and Meadow, Superior Homes, Distant Relatives Eco Lodge, and others.
During the festival, a ‘Lion’s Den’ Eco Project Competition was held, featuring 5 judges and over 40 applicants.
Vendors included over 60 leading Kenyan environmental businesses such as Flip Flopi, Leo Sky Africa, Seedling Designs, SOKO Kenya, and Manda Bees.
Attendees had the chance to learn about and support these initiatives while relaxing under the canopy of beautiful trees and enjoying food and drinks from local suppliers.
Madafu were enjoyed in place of sodas, and cookies were baked on site using local ingredients, such as cow-pea flour - thanks to Grove and Meadow.
The event produced only three bags of waste due to strict environmental policies, which places it amongst the least wasteful events in the world, and decorations were made using discarded items from the local community.
A total of 850 indigenous trees were donated by the Little Environmental Action Foundation and Kivukoni Indigenous Tree Nursery, which were taken home to be planted by attendees.
The organisers expressed huge gratitude to their team and community, who enabled such a successful first-time event through dedication, creativity and hard work.
This year's venue was positioned alongside the rich waters of Takaungu Creek and its mangrove forests.
Kivukoni School is also home to the Wangari Maathai indigenous forest, a reed bed water recycling system, permaculture shamba, a school eco hub and a whole-school environmental curriculum.
Each student learned about their local ecosystem, fostering appreciation for the natural world, and empowering them to be fulfilled, happy and effective change-makers in the environmental space.
Speaking at the festival, NCBA Deputy Director, Marketing and Group, Head of Brands Jacquie Muhati said that the company was proud to sponsor the initiative aimed at upholding sustainable practices, and innovation, and empowering the next generation of global transformative leaders and citizens.
"Our support is aimed at deepening our relationship with the community of Kilifi County and introducing them to the NCBA Affluent and SME banking solutions,” she said.
“The partnership highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships for NCBA to achieve its sustainability commitments through the “Change the Story” initiative and its dedication to creating a positive impact in the communities it serves. As the exclusive financial sponsor, we were able to showcase our financial solutions for the Coastal communities, while reinforcing its 15 sustainability commitments.”
