For many years, Kakuma has been known as a harsh, arid region with little rainfall and land that many believed was unsuitable for farming. However, in the heart of Kakuma 3 Refugee Camp, one refugee is proving that innovation can transform challenges into opportunities through environmental conservation, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture.
Blaise, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who arrived in Kakuma Refugee Camp in 2017, is the Founder and Director of Rafiki wa Mazingira Limited, an organization he established in 2021 to promote environmental protection, combat the effects of climate change, strengthen food security, and create livelihood opportunities for both refugees and the host community.
One of the organization’s flagship initiatives is the production of charcoal briquettes made from the invasive Prosopis juliflora (Mathenge) tree and other forest waste. Instead of allowing these materials to go to waste or contribute to environmental degradation, they are processed into clean, affordable cooking fuel for households.
The initiative has helped reduce dependence on traditional charcoal and firewood, contributing to lower rates of deforestation while promoting cleaner and more sustainable energy. At the same time, the project has created employment opportunities for many young people in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, who are involved in collecting raw materials, processing, production, packaging, and marketing the briquettes. Through the project, many youth have gained a reliable source of income while actively participating in climate action.
In addition to clean energy production, Rafiki wa Mazingira Limited is promoting climate-smart agriculture in one of Kenya’s driest regions. With support from Cohere, the organization has introduced an integrated farming system that combines the cultivation of okra and cucumbers with rabbit farming. Rabbit manure is used as organic fertilizer to improve soil fertility, while rabbit urine is processed into a natural bio-pesticide, reducing dependence on chemical pesticides and lowering production costs.
In an area long considered unsuitable for agriculture, the organization’s demonstration farms are proving that innovative farming techniques and sustainable land management can successfully produce food even under harsh climatic conditions.
The organization also continues to champion environmental restoration through tree-planting campaigns across Kakuma 3. Recently, it planted moringa, mango, and orange seedlings to increase tree cover, improve household nutrition, and enhance long-term food security for both refugees and the surrounding host communities.
Speaking during the initiative, Blaise said his vision is to transform Kakuma from a place often associated with humanitarian dependence into a center of innovation in environmental conservation, clean energy, and sustainable food production.
“We believe the environment can create jobs. By converting Prosopis and forest waste into clean cooking fuel, we protect our forests, reduce environmental pollution, and provide employment opportunities for young people. Through sustainable agriculture, we are also demonstrating that food production is possible even in Kakuma’s harsh climate,” he said.
Blaise’s work through Rafiki wa Mazingira Limited continues to reshape perceptions of the role refugees can play in sustainable development. Through clean energy production, environmental conservation, tree planting, and climate-smart agriculture, the organization is demonstrating that even in challenging environments like Kakuma, it is possible to build a greener economy that benefits both refugees and the host community.
