Stella Mbiti
JKUAT members of staff have been appointed to the Management and Leadership Council of the Sustainable Development Solution Network-Kenya (SDSN-Kenya). Prof. Daniel Ndaka Sila was appointed SDSN-Kenya Leadership Council Member, while Ms. Stella Mbiti was appointed to the Management Team as Assistant Network Manager.
The disclosure was made virtually during the unveiling of the Sustainable Development Solution Network Kenya chapter, September 24, 2020 by the Networks Strategy Council of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
The Kenya Network fosters global SDSN activities within Kenya by developing and promoting solutions, policies and public education. Its vision is to realize the attainment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Kenya with the rallying call being: “Leaving no one behind”
Speaking during the launch of the network, President SDSN, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs said the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network was established to mobilize global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical problem solving for sustainable development, including the design and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As Kenya strives to attain Vision 2030, Prof. Sachs implored to the network to focus on six transformational areas including education, health, renewable energy, sustainable land use, sustainable cities and digital economy.
Ms. Mbiti
“It is my hope that the Kenyan Network will take a leading role in charting the way forward in the attainment of sustainable development especially in the six transformational areas and escalate it regionally,” said Prof Sachs who is also the Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network under the auspices of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
While accepting the responsibility accorded to him, Prof. Sila, the Dean School of Food and Nutrition Sciences at JKUAT, said he believed the Leadership Council of 11 members were competent and ready to forge the agenda of the network and enhance sustainable development in Kenya and the region at large.
The Council’s responsibilities include; developing the vision of SDSN Kenya, increase its visibility, provide strategic guidance and ensure integration across themes, geographies and stakeholders; support the outreach strategy for the network to engage with communities in Kenya; facilitate innovative partnerships with diverse sectors of the Kenyan economy; review and endorse all major outputs issued by the network; leverage on expertise and professional network to support projects undertaken by SDSN Kenya secretariat and mobilize funds for SDSN Kenya. As Assistant Network Manager, Ms. Mbiti, an Assistant Lecturer from JKUAT’s Department of Landscape Architecture, will assist in the Management of Network activities in the implementation of SDGs in Kenya towards realization of Vision 2030, and in line with the Chapter objectives.
“In consultation with my fellow chapter Management team, one of my key roles will be to conceptualize and coordinate an overall strategy for SDSN’s work on sustainable development and engagement with SDGs while researching on potential funding prospects in relation to SDSN goals and objectives,” said Stella.