Koelel Forces Academy from Gilgil has won the inaugural KCB WRC Green Debate, an education-focused sustainability programme hosted alongside the 2026 Safari Rally Kenya, according to a statement issued by the organisers.

The final was held at Naivasha Girls High School and brought together 32 schools from Nairobi and Nakuru regions, with debate topics covering corporate governance, clean energy, sustainable finance, environmental conservation and social responsibility, the statement said. Murang’a High School finished first runners-up, while Utumishi Boys Academy took third place.

KCB awarded cash prizes to the top three schools to support sustainability projects led by their debate clubs: KES 90,000 for Koelel Forces Academy, KES 60,000 for Murang’a High School and KES 30,000 for Utumishi Boys Academy, according to the statement. The organisers said the funds will support activities such as tree-planting drives, environmental awareness campaigns, waste management programmes and community clean-up initiatives. All participating schools also received trophies, certificates and branded merchandise.

Koelel’s debate patron, Margaret Gakii, said the series stood out from regular inter-school debate circuits because it focused on climate and sustainability. “Debate Circle hosts debates throughout the year, but this series was unique because it focused specifically on sustainability and climate issues. It challenged our students to think critically about the future and the role young people can play in protecting the environment,” Gakii said.

KCB Naivasha Branch Manager Zacharia Njeru linked the debate series to the lender’s broader sustainability priorities. “At KCB, sustainability is embedded in our strategy. We are investing in green financing, supporting clean energy solutions, and advancing sustainable finance. However, policies and financing alone are not enough. We also need innovative ideas and young leaders who are ready to champion sustainable development,” Njeru said.

The Green Debate was organised in partnership with Debate Circle and Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), the statement said, positioning it within a wider push by corporate and institutional actors to shape environmental awareness among young people.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the initiative reflects how major brands continue to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) themes into high-profile events such as the Safari Rally, which attracts local and international audiences and creates opportunities for community engagement and reputational positioning. It also underscores a growing emphasis on sustainability education and youth-led projects, which can influence future consumer and workforce expectations in sectors such as banking, energy and manufacturing.

The statement also highlighted KCB’s sustainability activities linked to the Safari Rally since its return to Kenya in 2021, saying the bank has planted more than 3,000 trees with local schools and implemented waste management programmes. During the recent rally, the statement said more than two tonnes of mixed waste were collected at stages including Kedong, Sleeping Warrior and Elementaita, and is being sorted and recycled through partners.

Looking ahead, the debate series is likely to continue as part of the rally’s calendar of associated activities, as organisers and partners align with global motorsport sustainability initiatives. The statement cited the WRC Promoter Beyond initiative, which it said works with stakeholders including the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), event organisers, teams, suppliers and local governments to raise environmental consciousness around motorsport’s footprint.

Koelel Forces Academy has been named the winner of the KCB WRC Green Debate, a schools’ debate competition held alongside the sustainability activities of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally, according to a statement shared by the organisers.

The finals brought together schools that advanced through knockout rounds held in Nairobi and Nakuru, with students debating sustainability topics including corporate governance, clean energy, sustainable finance and social responsibility.

Murang’a High School finished as first runners-up, while Utumishi Boys Academy placed third.

The winners received cash awards totalling KES 180,000. Koelel Forces Academy received KES 90,000, Murang’a High School received KES 60,000, and Utumishi Boys Academy received KES 30,000, the statement said. The prize money will be used by the schools’ debate clubs to support sustainability initiatives within their institutions. The schools also received trophies and KCB-branded merchandise, while all participating students were awarded certificates.

The debate series engaged schools from Nairobi and Nakuru regions and aimed to provide students with a platform to discuss environmental and social issues affecting their communities. Organisers said the debates focused on practical ideas around climate action, conservation and responsible leadership.

Zacharia Njeru, KCB Naivasha Branch Manager, said the debate programme ties into the lender’s broader sustainability positioning.

“At KCB, sustainability is embedded in our strategy. We are investing in green financing, supporting clean energy solutions and advancing sustainable finance. However, policies and financing alone are not enough. We also need innovative ideas and young leaders who are ready to champion sustainable development,” Njeru said.

The Green Debate was organised with support from Debate Circle and KenGen, which partnered with KCB to engage students and encourage discussions on environmental responsibility and sustainable development, according to the statement.

For Kenya’s business landscape, initiatives that connect financial institutions, state-linked utilities and education programmes reflect a growing emphasis on sustainability literacy as climate-related risks increasingly shape investment decisions, financing terms and corporate governance expectations. By linking the programme to the WRC Safari Rally calendar, the organisers also anchored sustainability messaging to a high-profile event that attracts local and international attention, offering an avenue for corporate and community engagement.

Going forward, the organisers are expected to continue leveraging the schools’ debate club networks to implement the planned sustainability projects funded by the awards, while KCB and its partners expand community-facing sustainability initiatives linked to major national events.

KCB Group CEO Paul Russo joined policymakers, investors and development finance institutions at the 3rd Climate Change Global Business Summit on Africa in Nairobi to discuss how private investment can accelerate climate solutions across the continent, according to a statement circulated after the event.

The summit was held at Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel and brought together business leaders, senior government officials and sustainability experts to explore financing pathways for Africa’s green transition. The discussions covered mobilisation of capital, climate resilience, and positioning Africa as a destination for sustainable investment, the statement said.

According to the statement, the forum included Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, private sector representatives including the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), and global investors including the French Chamber of Commerce. Agenda items included unlocking private investment in climate solutions, strengthening sustainable urban development and mobility, and financing climate-resilient energy and infrastructure.

KCB participated in a high-level panel titled “Climate Finance, Equity, and the Just Transition: Unlocking Private Investments in Kenya and Africa,” which the statement said was moderated by journalist Yvonne Okwara.

During the discussion, Russo said partnerships would be critical to making climate projects bankable and investable. “We have built a team of subject matter experts, and we are therefore equipped to co-create solutions,” Paul Russo, KCB Group CEO, said in the statement.

He also pointed to structural constraints in the climate finance market, arguing that stronger collaboration is needed among development finance institutions, governments and commercial banks to share risk, improve project pipelines and unlock long-term capital, according to the statement.

Russo linked the remarks to KCB’s sustainability strategy, saying the lender is prioritising financing for renewable energy, clean technologies and low-carbon growth. “We have set a target to allocate 25% of our total loan book to green financing, helping accelerate the transition toward sustainable industries,” Russo said.

The remarks come as Kenyan banks and corporates seek to finance energy transition and climate adaptation projects at a time when long-tenor, affordable capital remains limited for many borrowers. In Kenya, demand for funding is being driven by renewable energy build-out, climate-smart agriculture, e-mobility, and resilient infrastructure—sectors that often require blended finance structures, guarantees, or concessional capital to close viability gaps.

For the financial sector, commitments such as allocating a share of loan books to green financing can influence competition for climate-aligned deals and may increase pressure to strengthen internal capacity for climate risk assessment and project evaluation. The availability of investable projects—with robust feasibility studies, permitting progress and credible offtake arrangements—remains a key bottleneck across East Africa, market participants say.

Looking ahead, the push for scaled climate finance is expected to continue through policy engagement and deal structuring between banks, development finance institutions and government agencies as Kenya and the region expand pipelines of renewable energy, clean transport and climate-resilient infrastructure projects.

Rwandan rally driver Queen Kalimpinya is preparing to make her debut at the Safari Rally Kenya, marking her first international competition after building her career in Rwanda’s national championship circuit. The entry comes through the KCB Racing Team, which she said has enabled her to take on the event, described in the statement as one of the most demanding fixtures on the rally calendar.

Kalimpinya, who is based in Kigali, is the defending champion in the Rwanda National Rally Championship, according to the statement. Her participation adds to the growing number of East African drivers using the Safari Rally platform to expand regional motorsport visibility and attract sponsorship, mechanics and logistics work linked to rally operations in Kenya.

The Safari Rally has become a significant event for Kenya’s hospitality, transport and automotive services sectors, drawing teams that require local supply chains and technical support across rally routes and service parks. Participation by regional drivers also strengthens cross-border sporting ties within the East African Community, where motorsport is increasingly viewed as both an entertainment product and a commercial activity tied to brand partnerships.

Kalimpinya’s route into rallying began after earlier public exposure in Rwanda’s beauty pageant scene, where she placed 3rd Runner-Up at the Miss Rwanda pageant in 2017, the statement said. She later shifted into motorsport, initially competing as a co-driver before moving into the driver’s seat.

In remarks included in the statement, Kalimpinya described her entry into the sport as gradual before becoming a serious pursuit. “At first, it was simply about trying something new and having fun,” she said. “But the more I learned about the sport and experienced the adrenaline of rallying, the more determined I became to pursue it seriously.”

She also attributed her Safari Rally opportunity to external backing, citing the cost of competing. “When I received the call, I honestly couldn’t believe it,” Kalimpinya said. “Competing in the Safari Rally and other international events has always been a dream. Motorsport requires significant financial resources, and opportunities like this don’t come easily. Thanks to KCB Racing Team, that dream is beginning to take shape.”

For the Safari Rally, Kalimpinya will be partnered with co-driver Olivier Ngabo, whom the statement described as a professional mechanic and mechanical engineering specialist with experience in transportation and car hire services. Ngabo was part of the 2025 Rwanda National Rally Championship-winning crew and won Best Co-Driver of the Year in 2019, according to the statement. The pair have worked together for three years.

They will also compete with an upgraded car, moving from a Subaru GC8 to a Subaru Impreza WRX STI GVB. Kalimpinya said the car has been tested across different terrains to prepare for the rally stages. “The car feels great, and the team has worked extremely hard on the preparation,” she said. “We believe it is ready for the challenge ahead.”

In terms of targets, Kalimpinya said her focus as a first-time entrant is to finish the rally without major issues while remaining competitive, with trophies positioned as an additional ambition.

For Kenya’s motorsport industry, her participation underscores the role of team sponsorships and structured support programmes in enabling regional talent to enter high-cost events. It also highlights a continued shift toward professionalisation—where driver-co-driver stability, engineering capability and vehicle preparation are critical to performance and safety outcomes.

Next steps will include final logistics and compliance preparations ahead of the Safari Rally start, with Kalimpinya and Ngabo expected to compete under the KCB Racing Team banner as they seek to complete the event and evaluate opportunities for further international rallies, as suggested in her remarks.