Kenyan Student Celebrated at UK Conference Attended By World Leaders

Nevile Ochieng together with United Nations Climate Change conference president Alok Sharma at their home in Kisumu County on January 12, 2020
Nevile Ochieng together with United Nations Climate Change conference president Alok Sharma at their home in Kisumu County on January 12, 2020
Power Engineering

Just a day after Kenyan climate activist, Elizabeth Wathuti, was the center of attention at the United Nations Climate Change conference in the United Kingdom, another Kenyan has yet again dominated the conference with his story.  

On Tuesday, November 3, the conference organisers showcased the story of Neville Ochieng, a 20-year-old Masinde Muliro University student, who was able to pursue his studies with the help of solar power.

In a statement by the British High Commission in Kenya, it was revealed that Ochieng's story was identified as a success story, having met the conference president, Alok Sharma, in 2020. 

Nevile Ochieng together with the United Nations Climate Change conference president Alok Sharma on January 12, 2020.
Nevile Ochieng together with the United Nations Climate Change conference president Alok Sharma on January 12, 2020.
Twitter
Alok Sharma

The Embassy stated that his story was broadcast to inspire world leaders to finance climate projects that create a difference in communities all over the world.

 "Today in Glasgow, the story of Nevile Ochieng was broadcast to the world as a demonstration of how climate financing can change people’s lives when it reaches the ground," read the statement.

During a meeting with Sharma in 2020, the student from Kisumu County, narrated to the climate change president how a UK-funded solar project helped him in his studies.

"I’m in Kenya ahead of the UK-Africa investment summit, where I have just met Nevile and his family. He explained how solar energy provided by UK-based Azuri Tech allows him to study for his university degree," Sharma tweeted in 2020.

In the meeting, the 20-year-old revealed to the president that he had suffered health complications before the solar project was finally installed in their home

"I was forced to use a kerosene lamp when studying and put up with the adverse effects from harmful fumes," he disclosed.

The university student went on to state that he was able to focus on his studies, noting that he would use his smartphone, which he occasionally charged with solar power.

During the international conference, world leaders have called for immediate attention to climate change, with President Uhuru Kenyatta promising that Kenya would transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.

"Close to 90 percent of the electricity used by Kenyans is renewable and we'll reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2030," Uhuru stated.

Marathoner Eliud Kipchoge (left), President Uhuru Kenyatta (center) and his Tanzanian counterpart Suluhu Hassan at Glasgow Conference in Scotland on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
Marathoner Eliud Kipchoge (left), President Uhuru Kenyatta (center) and his Tanzanian counterpart Suluhu Hassan at Glasgow Conference in Scotland on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
PSCU