Kenyan named 2024 SDG Pioneers winner by United Nations Global Compact at UNGA

September 25, 2024 39

Nairobi, 25 September 2024:Kenya’s Kevin Getobai of Ololo Farm and Lodge has been recognized as a 2024 SDG Pioneer winner by the United Nations Global Compact for his transformative work in sustainable agriculture. Kenya’s Kevin Getobai (seated, second from right) receives the 2024 SDG Pioneers award in the Africa SMEs Category at the Leaders Summit during the UN General Assembly in New York. Standing far left is UN Global Compact Executive Director, Sanda Ojiambo.

Getobai received the prestigious award today during the Leaders Summit held at the UN General Assembly in New York becoming the third global winner from Kenya since 2019.

Getobai was recognised as the winner in the Africa Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Category for spearheading innovative sustainable agricultural practices, focusing on innovative farming techniques that address food security and environmental sustainability.

The SDG Pioneers programme celebrates business professionals across the world who are doing an exceptional job of advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the implementation of the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact on human rights, environment, labour and anti-corruption. These individuals drive innovation through new technologies, initiatives, and business models, playing a crucial role in helping the world achieve the SDGs by 2030.

The 12 winners were selected from Western Europe and North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Oceania.

Getobai’s work includes using Black Soldier Flies (BSF) for organic waste composting and transforming waste into valuable organic manure and animal protein. This aligns with global targets to achieve Net Zero by 2030, showcasing how SMEs can drive impactful change in sustainable agriculture.

Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact stated: “These SDG Pioneers are leading the way in showing that business can be a force for good. Their innovative approaches and unwavering commitment to sustainability are inspiring examples of how the private sector can contribute to achieving the SDGs.”

Global Compact Network Kenya Executive Director Judy Njino congratulated Getobai on his recognition and for showcasing Kenya’s commitment to sustainable development and setting a good example of how business can be a force for good.

The SDG Pioneer entries were judged by an expert panel of representatives of the UN Global Compact Board Members, alongside previous SDG Pioneers and representatives from academia and UN agencies.

About Global Compact Network Kenya

Global Compact Network Kenya (GCNK) is the Country Network of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative with more than 24,000 participating companies working to accelerate and scale the collective impact of businesses in Kenya and Uganda by upholding the Ten Principles on Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-corruption and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With 300+ signatories in Kenya, and over 40 others in Uganda, GCNK is currently the largest of the UN Global Compact Local Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions and has over 800 others signed up to the Code of Ethics for Business in Kenya.

For inquiries, please contact:

Zak Irungu

Communications and Marketing Manager – Global Compact Network Kenya

Mobile No: +254 721 329 327

zakayo.irungu@globalcompactkenya.org