KCB Rugby Club will host and compete in the 2026 KCB MET 7s tournament on Saturday, July 4, at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka, Nairobi, as Kenyan clubs intensify preparations for the upcoming National Sevens Circuit.

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU)-sanctioned tournament will feature 16 teams split into four pools. KCB Rugby Club has been drawn in Pool A alongside Homeboyz RFC, Kabete Stallions and JKUAT Cougars, setting up a series of early fixtures that organisers say will test squads ahead of the national circuit.

Pool B includes Daystar Falcons, KU Blakblad, Makueni Ravens and USIU Eagles. Pool C has Catholic Monks, Zetech, NYS and Mean Machine, while Pool D brings together Kenya Harlequins, Mwamba RFC, Stingerz RFC and Northern Suburbs, according to the tournament line-up shared by organisers.

The event comes as corporate-backed sports properties continue to play a visible role in Kenya’s rugby ecosystem, particularly in supporting competitive calendars outside the marquee national circuit and the international sevens programme. For clubs, pre-season and build-up tournaments have become a key avenue to evaluate playing combinations and give match minutes to new signings and youth players under competitive conditions.

Brian Mwita, vice chairperson of KCB Rugby Club, said the tournament is positioned as both a development platform and a competitive test for the club. “The KCB MET 7s represents our commitment to the growth of rugby in Kenya by creating opportunities for players across all levels to compete on one platform,” Mwita said. “As a club, we are excited to once again support this initiative while using it to sharpen our squad ahead of what promises to be a highly competitive National Sevens Circuit.”

Now in its fifth edition, the MET 7s was launched in 2022 through Stingerz Rugby Football Club, with organisers saying its aim was to bridge the gap between grassroots rugby and elite competition. Since its launch, the event has expanded participation among clubs, and organisers said it has drawn recognition from stakeholders including KRU and Rugby Africa.

Collins Nabiswa, the tournament director, linked the competition to player development pathways and said KCB’s involvement has supported delivery of the event. “Our vision has always been to create a sustainable pathway where young players can compete alongside established talent and gain the experience needed to progress to higher levels of the game,” Nabiswa said. “The partnership with KCB Rugby Club has significantly enhanced the tournament's impact, allowing us to deliver an event that not only entertains but also contributes meaningfully to the growth of rugby in Kenya.”

While the organiser statement did not disclose the event’s sponsorship value, KCB said its sports support spans multiple disciplines and includes ownership of teams and sponsorship of events in volleyball, football and rugby, as well as support in chess, athletics and golf.

For Kenya’s sports business landscape, such tournaments create inventory for sponsorship activation, media coverage and fan engagement—particularly in Nairobi, where corporate-hosted venues can reduce event delivery costs and improve the reliability of the match calendar. They also provide a pipeline for talent identification ahead of the National Sevens Circuit, which remains the primary domestic platform feeding elite club performance and, indirectly, national team selections.

Organisers said the tournament will serve as a competitive build-up event, giving coaches a chance to assess combinations, integrate new players and refine tactics ahead of the national series. The next milestone will be the July 4 match day in Ruaraka, after which teams are expected to transition into final preparations for the National Sevens Circuit.

KCB Group’s Director of Corporate Banking Peter Ng’eno said the lender has issued letters of credit worth more than KSh 1.074 trillion to facilitate petroleum imports under Kenya’s Government-to-Government (G-to-G) fuel importation programme since 2022, positioning bank-backed trade finance as a key pillar in the country’s fuel supply chain.

Ng’eno made the remarks on Monday, June 29, 2026, during the Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA) Q2 State of the Oil Industry Briefing held at the Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi, an event attended by Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Hon. James Wandayi and PIEA chairperson Peter Murungi, according to the prepared remarks.

The G-to-G framework was introduced in 2023 to manage fuel supply and reduce immediate pressure on foreign exchange demand by altering how import financing and settlement timelines are structured. Kenya remains heavily reliant on imported refined petroleum products, making the sector sensitive to global price swings, shipping disruptions and dollar liquidity conditions.

In his statement, Ng’eno linked fuel supply resilience to access to financing, saying disruptions in global markets quickly translate into higher freight costs, insurance premiums, foreign exchange demand and working capital requirements for importers and marketers.

“I am proud to note that to date, KCB has issued Letters of Credit worth over KShs. 1.074 trillion under the programme, facilitating the importation of petroleum products that continue to power industries, businesses and households across the country,” Ng’eno said.

He said Kenya’s 2022 energy financing challenge, which he attributed to rising pressure on fuel imports and intensifying foreign exchange demand, prompted the government to seek a financial partner to operationalise a new importation framework. “KCB stepped forward as the primary financial partner under the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) fuel importation programme,” Ng’eno said, adding that the bank used its capital base and international banking relationships to support the programme’s rollout.

Beyond petroleum trade finance, Ng’eno said the bank finances different parts of the oil and gas value chain, including “upstream exploration and production,” “midstream infrastructure and logistics,” and downstream marketers and distributors. He framed the sector as central to economic activity as East Africa’s population grows and urbanisation and industrial output increase.

The remarks also pointed to recent geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, as a reminder of exposure to external supply shocks. “The recent tensions in the Middle East exposed the vulnerabilities that continue to exist within global energy markets,” Ng’eno said, noting that disruptions around key shipping routes have direct cost implications for import-dependent countries.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the disclosure underscores the scale of bank intermediation that has supported the import system at a time of constrained dollar liquidity and elevated balance-of-payments pressures. Letters of credit are typically issued in hard currency and rely on correspondent banking lines, linking domestic energy supply continuity to the health of local banking liquidity and international credit relationships.

Ng’eno also said energy security and sustainability should be pursued in parallel, calling for an energy mix that supports industrialisation while “progressively embracing cleaner and more efficient energy solutions.” He said the transition creates investment opportunities in renewable energy infrastructure and cleaner technologies, and that KCB is developing financing structures to support “tomorrow’s energy solutions.”

Looking ahead, Ng’eno said the region’s energy sector outcomes will depend on coordinated action by government, industry and financiers. “The future of East Africa’s energy sector will not be shaped by any one institution acting alone,” he said, calling for enabling policies, investment in innovation and capital mobilisation to strengthen energy security and resilience.

KCB Group Plc says it disbursed KSh48.8 billion in green financing in 2025 to support projects in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green buildings, clean transportation, water management and climate-smart investments. The lender also screened KSh587.9 billion worth of transactions under its Environmental and Social Due Diligence framework across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, according to its 2025 Sustainability Report.

KCB said KSh9.9 billion of the green financing was independently verified as climate-eligible using the Climate Assessment for Financial Institutions (CAFI) tool. The bank added that the screening and lending activity helped it surpass a strategic target of allocating 25% of total lending to green projects, reaching 25.84% in 2025, up from 21.6% in 2024.

The disclosures are contained in the 2025 KCB Group Sustainability Report themed Transitioning Economies, which KCB said was published alongside its 2025 Integrated Report.

For Kenya’s banking sector, the figures add to a growing focus on sustainable finance and climate-risk management, driven by investor expectations, shifting regulation, and demand for capital to fund clean energy and climate adaptation projects. KCB’s footprint in multiple East African markets also means its screening framework can influence risk assessment practices for cross-border lending and large transaction volumes.

Paul Russo, KCB Group Chief Executive Officer, said the lender is aligning financing decisions and business strategy to support climate resilience and sustainable enterprise growth across its markets. “KCB seeks to be a bigger player in shaping a robust and sustainable financial ecosystem throughout East Africa by continuously developing tailored green financing solutions for MSMEs, households, and corporates in order to support the adoption of sustainable practices across key sectors,” Russo said.

KCB also reported progress on operational sustainability and social impact initiatives. It said it exceeded its 2025 tree-planting target of 1.5 million, planting more than 3.5 million trees in 2025 through more than 200 regionwide events in collaboration with 1,778 schools and other partners.

In the education sector, KCB said it supported 266 schools to adopt cleaner cooking systems under its Learning Institutions Customer Value Proposition, backed by KSh782.5 million in financing, aimed at reducing reliance on traditional biomass fuels.

On branch operations, KCB said solar installations were operational in 16 branches across the group, including Maasai Mara, Wajir, Mandera, Watamu, Lamu, Loitoktok, Kakuma and Namanga, as well as the Karen Leadership Centre. The lender said it plans to expand solar power to 30 additional branches in 2026.

KCB attributed a 2% reduction in resource use for fuel and electricity to these efforts, contributing to an overall 13% reduction in emissions across the group.

Through KCB Foundation programmes, the group said over 265,300 jobs were supported, while 16,549 youth benefited from workforce readiness and skills development initiatives. It also said 38,635 youth-led businesses received business development support under the 2Jiajiri Young Africa Works programme, and that it has supported a total of 67,090 businesses.

On inclusive finance, KCB said it disbursed KSh149 billion to women-led businesses through its Female-Led and Made Enterprise (FLME) programme, as part of a five-year commitment to unlock KSh250 billion in financing for women entrepreneurs and enterprises. The group also said 20,299 refugees gained access to formal banking services and that it disbursed KSh71.4 million in loans to refugee entrepreneurs, leveraging UNHCR identification documentation.

KCB said the 2025 sustainability report is its third to undergo a limited assurance review and was prepared in reference to IFRS S1 and S2 Standards, as part of what it described as early voluntary adoption ahead of a mandatory deadline set for the 2027 reporting period.

Looking ahead, the lender’s planned rollout of solar to additional branches and continued expansion of green lending will be watched as banks across Kenya and the region face pressure to demonstrate measurable progress on climate risk, sustainable finance allocation and disclosure standards.

KCB Group Plc said it disbursed KSh48.8 billion in green financing loans in 2025 to support projects in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, green buildings, clean transportation, water management and climate-smart investments, according to disclosures in its 2025 Sustainability Report.

The lender also said it screened KSh587.9 billion worth of transactions under its Environmental and Social Due Diligence framework covering operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. KCB said the screening and lending activity helped it surpass its internal strategic target of allocating 25% of total lending to green projects, with green lending reaching 25.84% in 2025, up from 21.6% in 2024.

KCB said KSh9.9 billion of the green financing was independently verified as climate-eligible using the Climate Assessment for Financial Institutions (CAFI) tool.

The disclosures are contained in the 2025 KCB Group Sustainability Report themed “Transitioning Economies”, which the bank published alongside its 2025 Integrated Report.

The update matters for Kenya’s banking sector as lenders face growing pressure from regulators, investors and development finance partners to demonstrate measurable progress on climate and sustainability commitments, including disclosure quality and portfolio alignment. KCB is one of the region’s largest banking groups, with operations across multiple East African markets, meaning its sustainable finance approach can influence capital flows into sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture and real estate.

Commenting on the results, KCB Group CEO Paul Russo said the bank was aligning financing decisions and business strategy toward climate resilience and sustainable enterprise growth.

“KCB seeks to be a bigger player in shaping a robust and sustainable financial ecosystem throughout East Africa by continuously developing tailored green financing solutions for MSMEs, households, and corporates in order to support the adoption of sustainable practices across key sectors,” Russo said. He added that this would be supported by partnerships with global climate financiers, product innovation and efforts to “accelerate the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient economy throughout the region.”

Beyond lending, KCB said it exceeded its 2025 tree-planting target. The bank reported it planted more than 3.5 million trees in 2025, above a target of 1.5 million, through more than 200 tree-planting events in collaboration with 1,778 schools and other partners.

In clean energy initiatives tied to the education sector, KCB said it supported 266 schools to adopt cleaner cooking systems, backed by KSh782.5 million in financing, under its Learning Institutions Customer Value Proposition.

The bank also said it expanded solar power installations to 16 branches across the group, naming Maasai Mara, Wajir, Mandera, Watamu, Lamu, Loitoktok, Kakuma and Namanga, as well as the Karen Leadership Centre, as some of the sites with operational installations. KCB said it plans to expand solar power to 30 additional branches “this year.”

KCB reported that these efforts contributed to a 2% reduction in resource use for fuel and electricity and an overall 13% reduction in emissions across the group, attributing the performance to renewable energy adoption and operational efficiency initiatives.

On inclusion-linked programmes, KCB said that through KCB Foundation programmes, more than 265,300 jobs were supported, while 16,549 youth benefited from workforce readiness and skills development initiatives. The lender also reported that 38,635 youth-led businesses received business development support under the 2Jiajiri Young Africa Works programme and that it has supported a total of 67,090 businesses.

The bank said it disbursed KSh149 billion to women-led businesses through its Female-Led and Made Enterprise (FLME) programme, positioning this as part of a five-year commitment to unlock KSh250 billion for women entrepreneurs and enterprises.

KCB also said 20,299 refugees gained access to formal banking services and that it disbursed KSh71.4 million in loans to refugee entrepreneurs using UNHCR identification documentation.

On reporting and disclosure standards, KCB said the 2025 sustainability report was its third to undergo a limited assurance review and that it was prepared in reference to IFRS S1 and S2 Standards. The group said this represents voluntary early adoption ahead of a mandatory deadline set for the 2027 reporting period.

Going forward, the lender’s next milestones will include execution of its plan to roll out solar power to additional branches and maintaining green-lending levels above its 25% allocation target, as disclosure requirements and investor scrutiny increase across the region.

KCB Group has been recognised for a second consecutive year in the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2026 ranking, compiled in partnership with data firm Statista, the lender said in a statement.

The ranking assesses companies based on their compound annual growth rate between 2020 and 2023, according to KCB’s press release. The list, now in its fifth year since launching in 2021, tracks firms seen as contributing to job creation and competitiveness across African economies, the lender added.

The recognition comes as Kenyan banks face a tougher operating environment shaped by elevated interest rates in recent years, pressure on household and SME purchasing power, and intensified competition from mobile money and fintechs. For listed lenders, growth and profitability metrics are closely watched by investors on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) as they balance credit growth, asset quality and capital allocation.

KCB said it delivered improved profitability in its latest reported full-year performance. “In 2025, the Group posted a resilient result, with net profit rising by 11% to a record KShs. 68.4 billion, translating to a 22.5% return on equity,” the statement said. The group added that the performance “positioned the Group among the top-performing companies on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.”

On its balance sheet, KCB said it “maintained its leadership position by asset size,” reporting that total assets increased by 9.3% to KShs. 2.15 trillion.

The bank attributed its performance to its business mix and investments across the region. “The Group’s regional diversification strategy continues to strengthen resilience and drive performance across markets,” KCB said. It added that results reflected “the strength of the core banking business, sustained customer franchise growth, the benefits of regional diversification and continued investments in digital transformation and operational efficiency.”

For Kenya’s banking sector, KCB’s inclusion on the Financial Times-Statista list may reinforce the market’s focus on scale, cross-border earnings and technology-led cost discipline as key levers for growth. Analysts typically view regional diversification as a buffer against localised shocks, though it can also increase exposure to multiple regulatory regimes and currency volatility across East Africa.

Looking ahead, the extent to which KCB sustains growth rates comparable to the period assessed by the ranking (2020–2023) is likely to depend on credit demand, funding costs, asset quality trends and execution of its digital and efficiency programmes. Investors will also watch for updates on performance across its regional subsidiaries and the group’s ability to defend margins as competition for deposits and loans remains tight.

KCB Group has announced the winners of the Revvvisha na KCB National Consumer Promotion, closing a four-month campaign that ran from December 26, 2025 to April 26, 2026, according to a company press release dated April 29, 2026.

The lender said the grand prize—a one-bedroom apartment at Tatu City—was awarded to Scholastica Syokau Musau, with the unit provided by Unity Homes. KCB also named John Mburu & Associates among the winners, saying the firm received KES 500,000 to be deposited into its KCB Money Market Fund through KCB Investment Bank.

The campaign was structured around encouraging customers to grow balances, maintain savings, and invest in selected products to qualify for monthly prizes and a final grand draw, the bank said.

Deposit mobilisation campaigns have remained a key tool for Kenyan lenders as competition for retail savings intensifies and banks seek stable funding alongside a growing push for savings and investment products. KCB said the promotion was timed to coincide with interest around the WRC Safari Rally, linking participation in the campaign to broader national attention on the event.

Rosalind Gichuru, KCB Group Director of Marketing and Communications, said the campaign reflected the bank’s focus on customer financial behaviour and longer-term planning.

“Revvvisha na KCB reflects our focus on empowering customers to build financial discipline through practical and rewarding solutions. The strong uptake we have seen shows that customers are increasingly prioritising savings and investments as part of their financial goals,” Gichuru said.

KCB positioned the campaign as tied to homeownership messaging through its partnership with Unity Homes and its marketing around the 2026 WRC Safari Rally. Caroline Wanjeri, Director of Mortgage Business at KCB, said the campaign targeted customers at different stages of saving towards housing.

“At KCB, we have always believed that homeownership is not just a privilege but an achievable goal for every Kenyan who is intentional about saving. Through our partnership with Unity Homes and our involvement in the 2026 WRC Safari Rally, we have made the message louder and more exciting than ever before,” Wanjeri said.

She added: “The Revvvisha na KCB campaign was designed to meet Kenyans where they are, whether they are just beginning their savings journey or already working towards owning their first home. Our KCB goal savings account, backed by our mortgage solutions, provides the runway to get there.”

Unity Homes said the partnership aligns developers and financiers in efforts to expand access to housing. “We are proud to partner with KCB to make homeownership more accessible. This collaboration demonstrates how financial institutions and developers can come together to create real impact for customers,” said Mina Stiernblad, Commercial Director at Unity Homes.

KCB said the winners’ draw was conducted in the presence of representatives from KCB, Unity Homes and the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), which the bank said was aimed at ensuring transparency and fairness.

For Kenya’s banking and housing markets, promotions tied to savings and investment products can influence short-term deposit growth and customer acquisition, while partnerships with real estate developers highlight how lenders continue to use housing-related incentives to support mortgage pipelines. KCB did not disclose the number of participants, total deposits mobilised, or the value of the apartment prize.

KCB said the promotion has concluded, with the winners now announced. The bank and its partners have not provided details on whether the campaign will be renewed or expanded in a subsequent edition.

KCB FC will return to SportPesa League action this weekend with an afternoon fixture against Ulinzi Stars at the Kasarani Annex, as the Nairobi-based side seeks to build on recent results and climb the table, according to a statement issued by the club.

The match comes after KCB FC beat lower-division side Chebaiywa FC 3-0 in the FKF Cup and followed an earlier 1-0 league win over BIDCO United. KCB FC said the results have lifted the team to sixth place in the current league campaign with 40 points after 27 rounds.

The fixture adds to a busy period for clubs competing across the league and cup calendar, an area that has grown in commercial significance for Kenya’s corporate sponsors and broadcasters. KCB Group-backed sports properties remain part of a broader trend in which leading Kenyan companies use team and event sponsorships to maintain brand visibility and community engagement, particularly as matchday audiences continue to fragment across in-stadium attendance and digital viewing.

Speaking ahead of the game during an open training session at the KCB Leadership Centre, Head Coach Robert ‘Lion’ Matano said the club expects to carry its recent performance into the league match. “We have had a good run in our current fixtures, I am confident that the boys are ready to secure maximum points in this important duel. During the past week, we have trained exceptionally well, and the mood in the camp is amazing,” Matano said.

However, the team will head into the encounter without three players, the club said. Forward Mathews ‘Messi’ Angal, full-back Gideon Were and winger Patrick Odhiambo have been ruled out after picking up injuries.

Team captain Nashon Alembi said the squad’s immediate objective is to keep pushing up the standings in the final stretch of the season. “The boys are high in spirits, winning thrice in a row in all competitions. We believe that with the plethora of talent at our disposal, we can beat any team. Our focus is to keep moving up the Premier League table. We know that we have seven matches left to play this season, so we will keep fighting until the end,” Alembi said.

In terms of selection, Matano is expected to make minimal changes to the side that started against Chebaiywa in the FKF Cup, the club said. Congolese goalkeeper Arnold Matumele is set to start, with Siraj Mohammed, Amatton Samunya, Fadhili Masoud and Victor Okello listed as the likely core of the defence.

KCB FC said veteran midfielder Humphrey Mieni is expected to start alongside Ronald Makati and Kelvin Etemesi, while Francis Kahiro is slated to lead the attack with wingers Bonface Omondi and December Kisaka.

The match also underlines the commercial ecosystem surrounding Kenyan football, where corporate-backed clubs can sustain deeper squads and stronger support structures. KCB Bank said its sports sponsorship footprint spans its core team assets—KCB Women Volleyball Club, KCB Football Club and KCB Rugby Football Club—alongside support for chess, athletics and golf. The bank said it has invested “millions of shillings” in sports sponsorships over the years, though it did not disclose specific figures.

With seven league matches remaining, the outcome against Ulinzi Stars will shape KCB FC’s push for a higher finish and, potentially, stronger positioning for future sponsorship and fan engagement opportunities tied to performance, matchday visibility and cup progression.

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.