The Alumni Spirit Award celebrates MPESA Foundation Academy Alumni currently in university who have demonstrated exceptional creativity and achievement in the arts, entrepreneurship, innovation, and other non-academic initiatives. This award aims to recognize individuals who excel not only in artistic expression but also in entrepreneurial endeavours, innovation, and making a positive impact through their creative and leadership abilities.
This year, the recipients of this award were:
- Community service
Moses Ayiecho – Kibra Adult Literacy & Learning Initiative
This is a project Moses does in collaboration with the ministry of education. Its aim is to help adults, (especially women) who dropped out of school due to poverty and/or early pregnancy get access to education (KCSE and basic literacy).
- Creative Arts
Thomas Nesta – Mr Kenyatta University
Nesta was crowned Mr Kenyatta University during the school’s Annual Culture Week that’s aimed at appreciating talent, culture, and diversity. On top of being a cultural ambassador, he has also participated in various socio – development initiatives around the university’s community in his role.
- Entrepreneurship
Mark Mutugi – MarkM Photography
MarkM Photography was founded by Mark, who works as part of the Rice Public affairs team. MarkM serves Rice and beyond both as a freelance service and as an official photographer for some of Rice University events.
- Innovation
Peter Lorot – Abled Hand Creation company
This is a platform by Peter to support differently abled people especially in the marginalised counties (e.g. Turkana, Pokot and Samburu) to discover their talents, focus on their capabilities and use it to bring something to the table rather than begging on the streets.
- Holistic Impact
Halima Sadia – Climate Action and Environmental Conservation
Halima is an advocate for climate action and environmental conservation. She has planted trees in her community to eradicate deforestation and is a member of Brighter Society Initiative, a team that’s part of the Kenyan Government’s initiative for planting 15 billion trees by 2032. She was part of the team that planted over 500 trees in her school, University of Eastern Africa Baraton, and was featured on the Kenyan Times Magazine during World Environmental day (5th June 2024) for her work.
