USIU SIFE team celebrates its victory

The United States International University of Africa trounced University of Nairobi and SIFE Kabarak University in the final round of the 10th SIFE Kenya National Business and Entrepreneurship Competition to clinch the 2012 SIFE Kenya National Champion title. University of Nairobi took the First Runners Up position while Kabarak University took the Second Runners Up position. USIU received the SIFE Kenya National Champion trophy and a Kshs 50 000 award from Postbank. USIU consequently proceeds to Washington D.C, USA in October 2012 for the SIFE World Cup competition.

The Final Round Judges were: Sumayya Hassan-Athmani  (Managing Director, National Oil Corporation of Kenya – NOCK); Gitahi Gachahi  (Chief Executive Officer , Ernst & Young); Jacqueline Odanga – Kegode (Program Officer,UNIDO); Janet Kamau (Manager, HP English Africa); George M. Onyango (Regional Controller, South & East Africa Coca- Cola East and  South Africa); Stephen G. Kimani (Project Finance Advisor, Kevian Kenya Ltd.); Sam Muturi  (Head, Customer Marketing, Syngenta Kenya Ltd.); David Abwoga (Chief Financial Officer,Citi Bank); and  Peter Veal (Head, Business Development, Syngenta Europe, Africa & Middle East).

USIU SIFE team with a section of SIFE staff and judges

The Opening Round Judges were drawn from: UAP Insurance; KPMG, Postbank Kenya, Citibank, Syngenta Kenya, Anka Consultants, UAP Insurance, Bata Shoe Ltd Kenya, Sealed Air/Diversey, HP English Africa, Public Image, Kenya Investment Authority, Ipsos Synovate, Junior Achievement, Kenya Investment Auithority.

Over 31 top CEOs and MDs from 19 companies converged at Sarova Panafric Hotel, Nairobi on June 30, 2012 and spent 10 hours with 450 university students drawn from 16 SIFE Kenya affiliate universities (both public and private) during the 10th SIFE Kenya National Business and   Entrepreneurship Competition. An additional 5 universities bracing to join SIFE Kenya participated on observer status. The competition aimed at exposing business leaders to unique business development opportunities; exposing university students to leadership challenges and opportunities as well as showcasing business and entrepreneurship projects by SIFE Kenya affiliate universities.

Among the notable projects that USIU SIFE showcased were Green Army, which encourages use of alternative renewable energy and Litre of Light, a sustainable, eco-friendly  and pocket-friendly lighting project for low income communities.

During the same event, Africa Nazarene University was awarded the most consistent team in the SIFE Kenya National Competition; Catholic University, Kabarak University, Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology, Maseno University and Moi University were awarded for having over 50 members each in their teams. Andy Watt, CEO, Syngenta East Africa and outgoing SIFE Kenya Business Advisory Council Chairman, was awarded for his dedication and support in ensuring SIFE Kenya meets its goal of nurturing young business leaders. Coca-Cola Central East and West Africa Business Unit, Postbank Kenya and Syngenta Kenya were awarded as SIFE Kenya 2012 partners.

About SIFE Kenya

SIFE Kenya was launched in 2003 as a partnership between SIFE International and the Inter Region Economic Network (IREN). SIFE is an international organization mobilizing university students around the world to make a difference in their communities through outreach projects while developing skills to be socially responsible business leaders.

SIFE Kenya operates under the advice of the SIFE Kenya Business Advisory Council whose membership includes business leaders from both the private and public sectors. With an annual membership of over 600 active students from 16 Kenyan universities (both public and private), SIFE Kenya has nurtured over 3,000 young business leaders for the last 9 years.

For more information, contact

James Shikwati, or Ms. Mayiani Saino Tel. +254202731497 email [email protected]