In the battle against climate change, a new wave of leadership is emerging—youth-led, innovation-driven, and deeply committed to sustainable solutions in Kenya. At the forefront of this movement is Evans Kirigha, a dynamic entrepreneur, climate advocate, and youth leader whose journey from student leader to global climate action champion is a testimony to the transmuting power of grassroots efforts.
Known professionally as Kelvin, Kirigha’s rise to prominence began at Moi University, where he honed his leadership skills and developed a profound commitment to sustainability. His passion for creating solutions to global challenges led him to establish initiatives like the Green Students Initiative and Watereoot, both of which aim to empower communities and foster innovation in response to climate change. His journey is also marked by leadership roles in global platforms such as the Hult Prize Foundation, YOUNGO, and Faith for Planet, where he has championed entrepreneurial and climate action efforts.
“From my early days as a student leader at Moi University to founding impactful initiatives like the Green Students Initiative and Watereoot, I consistently demonstrated a passion for empowering communities and fostering innovation,” he said.
The Early Journey: From Education to Advocacy
Evans’s academic foundation in Education Science provided him with the tools to inspire and teach others, which would later become a key element of his leadership style. He quickly recognized that addressing climate change required not only innovation but also education and community engagement. As a member of global organizations such as AIESEC and 350.org, Evans was exposed to the pressing issues facing the world, especially climate change, and found the inspiration to act.
His career began with organizing local events before escalating to representing youth voices at prestigious international platforms like the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) and the COP 2030 Youth Ministry. In these spaces, he advocated for climate action and highlighted the crucial role of youth-led initiatives in tackling the climate crisis.
Evans’s work at the Hult Prize Foundation exemplifies his dedication to fostering young talent. As the Campus Director at Moi University, he led startup competitions designed to ignite entrepreneurial thinking among students. He also spearheaded the launch of a fellowship under Watereoot that aimed to integrate climate action into religious organizations, an often-overlooked sector in global climate discourse.
Identifying Gaps and Creating Solutions
Evans’s commitment to climate action stems from his personal experiences witnessing the devastating effects of climate change, particularly in underserved regions. He recognized a glaring gap in grassroots climate education and the lack of accessible platforms for young people to engage in climate solutions.
“When I saw the effects of climate change on underserved communities, I realized that there was a major gap in climate education and youth engagement,” Evans reflected. “By combining my passion for teaching with my advocacy for climate action, I set out to create initiatives that would empower youth and faith-based organizations to take meaningful steps toward climate solutions.”
Evans is a strong proponent of aligning business ventures with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He encourages young entrepreneurs to focus on solutions that not only drive profitability but also contribute to positive social and environmental impact.
“Young entrepreneurs need to focus on the specific global issues that matter most,” Evans advises. “Understand the challenges surrounding climate change, poverty, or inequality and look for ways to develop solutions that are both scalable and impactful, implementing projects that can be replicated in other regions.”
For Evans, the key to successful startups lies in a balance between profitability and purpose. He suggests adopting a social enterprise model, leveraging partnerships with like-minded organizations, and continually measuring the impact of their solutions on the SDGs.
Large-scale events like startup competitions and youth summits play a pivotal role in fostering innovation, says Evans. As a mentor and advisor for the Hult Prize Foundation, he has witnessed firsthand how these platforms inspire young leaders to address some of the world’s most pressing problems.
“Large-scale events provide a platform for networking, mentorship, and funding,” Evans explains. “These events inspire innovation by challenging youth to address pressing global issues.”
These summits also provide opportunities for collaboration, enabling young leaders, NGOs, and governments to share knowledge, resources, and strategies. Evans underscores the importance of synergy between various sectors to achieve scalable and sustainable solutions.
Innovative Climate Education: A New Approach
A strong advocate for integrating climate action into education, Evans envisions a system where students are not just taught about climate change but are actively involved in addressing it. He champions experiential learning, cross-disciplinary education, and community-based initiatives as core components of this approach.
In his view, digital tools also play a crucial role in scaling climate education, allowing for broader access to critical knowledge and strategies for action. By blending entrepreneurship with environmental science, Evans believes that young people can be equipped to tackle climate challenges with both creativity and technical expertise.
Mentorship has been a cornerstone of Evans’s work, both in his own journey and in the guidance, he provides to young entrepreneurs. He emphasizes that providing access to mentors, offering training programs, and creating supportive networks are essential to ensuring that startups can thrive and achieve long-term success.
“The most effective strategies include, connecting young leaders with experienced professionals. Offering training programs, focusing on entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainability,” Evans asserts. “Creating supportive networks building communities where startups can collaborate.”
Lessons as a Climate Action Champion Nominee
Evans’s initiatives have not only earned him global recognition but have also provided invaluable lessons that continue to shape his work. Among these, he emphasizes the importance of community engagement, storytelling, and resilience.
“Engaging local communities is key to ensuring that climate solutions have long-term impact,” he says. “And storytelling—sharing successes stories inspires others to join the cause”
His journey has also taught him the importance of resilience and adaptability. Overcoming obstacles has been a constant theme throughout his career, but Evans remains steadfast in his belief that persistence is key to driving meaningful change.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Evans is focused on expanding his impact. In the next five years, he envisions himself leading a global network of climate advocates and scaling the Watereoot Fellowship to reach thousands of communities worldwide. He also aims to mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs, helping them harness the power of innovation to create lasting environmental and social change.
“In the next five years, Evans envisions himself leading a global network of climate advocates, expanding Watereoot Fellowship to impact thousands, and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.,” Evans says. “Let’s take bold steps towards addressing global challenges while staying true to our vision.”
Evans Kirigha’s work across education, climate action, and entrepreneurship, shows that meaningful solutions to global challenges are within reach, but only through bold, collective action. As he continues to inspire and mentor future leaders, Evans remains a key figure in the movement toward a more sustainable and equitable world.