ST. PAUL'S UNIVERSITY The University of Choice!

Young people are leading Kenya's shift toward a sustainable circular economy. To harness this potential, the Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO)—guided by its core principles of Collaboration, Commitment, Circularity, and Community—has joined forces with St. Paul’s University and its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Park (iPARK) to launch the Schools Recycling Innovation Challenge 2026.

This initiative calls on students to use creative and innovative thinking to solve pressing waste management issues in their schools and local communities.

Program Overview

The Challenge Journey

Participants will navigate three simple stages to bring their ideas to life:

1. Join: Become an active member of your school's Environmental or Innovation Club.

2. Learn: Attend dedicated environmental awareness sessions to better understand regional waste issues.

3. Innovate: Design and build a working prototype that turns waste into a valuable product or actionable solution based on the 10Rs Framework.

Why Participate?

By entering the competition, students gain a platform to showcase their ideas to a wider audience, demonstrate environmental leadership, and drive direct community impact.

Ready to Make Your Mark?

Speak to your Environmental Club teacher or patron today to register your project! For further details, contact Cynthia Wainaina at +254 724 050913.

NAIROBI, KENYA — In a milestone move for theological education and vocational training in East Africa, St. Paul’s University (SPU) last week officially launched its Level 3 and Level 4 Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programmes in Christian Ministry and Information & Communications Technology (ICT).

The landmark launch solidifies SPU’s position as the first university in Kenya granted the legal mandate to assess, train, and award certificates under the national RPL arrangement.

The high-profile ceremony was presided over by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Esther Mombo. It brought together a diverse group of key stakeholders, including government and education officials, evangelical bishops, principals of theological institutions, church leaders, RPL coordinators, and representatives from various pastors’ associations.

Bridging the Gap Between Ministry Practice and Academia

For decades, countless church leaders and ministry practitioners across Kenya have served their communities through extensive field experience, informal training, and practical work, yet lacked formal academic certification.

The new RPL framework fundamentally changes that dynamic. Accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), SPU is now a fully licensed RPL Assessment Centre.

The program allows experienced ministers to submit their prior competencies, hands-on ministry experience, and non-formal learning to a rigorous evaluation process. Upon successful assessment, candidates receive recognized academic qualifications at Levels 3 and 4.

What the RPL Mandate Covers

The TVETA accreditation enables St. Paul's University to conduct comprehensive assessments across two core tracks:

• Christian Ministry (Levels 3 & 4): Evaluates competencies in pastoral care, community leadership, homiletics, and church management gained through active ministry work.

• ICT (Levels 3 & 4): Validates practical technical skills, digital literacy, and IT support knowledge acquired through self-taught learning or on-the-job application.

Strategic Impact for Church Leadership in Kenya

By formalizing informal and non-formal learning, the RPL framework opens several new doors for religious leaders and vocational workers:

The launch aligns directly with Kenya's national push under the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) and TVETA to integrate skilled workers from informal and non-formal sectors into the nation's recognized qualification matrix. As an assessment pioneer, St. Paul's University sets a precedent for higher education institutions across the region in expanding access to inclusive, lifelong learning.

LIMURU, KENYA — What happens when academia, the church, and civil society speak with one unified voice? A powerful call to social justice emerges—one capable of shifting national policy and holding duty-bearers accountable.

On Tuesday, 18th August 2026, the historic Limuru campus of St. Paul’s University served as the platform for this pivotal moment during the National GRAPE Water Conference. Bringing together theologians, scholars, legal experts, policy advocates, and church leaders, the conference examined a fundamental constitutional imperative: the right of every Kenyan to safe, clean water.

A Bold Demand for Basic Dignity

Participants at the conference issued a unified resolution calling on the Kenyan government to operationalize the constitutional right to water by delivering 50 litres of safe, clean drinking water per person per day, or providing equivalent cash compensation to households lacking access.

The resolution reflects growing concern that despite clear constitutional protections, millions of citizens continue to face acute water insecurity—impacting health, education, economic stability, and human dignity.

Theological, Legal, and Economic Foundations

The conference provided a comprehensive exploration of water access across three distinct pillars:

1. Theological Foundations: Faith leaders underscored water as a divine gift essential for life and human flourishing. Access to clean water is rooted in sacred principles of stewardship, social justice, and compassion.

2. Legal Foundations: Legal scholars highlighted Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees the right to clean and safe water in adequate quantities. They emphasized that failure to fulfill this right directly violates human dignity.

3. Economic Foundations: Policy experts demonstrated that investing in universal water access yields substantial social and economic dividends—reducing healthcare burdens, increasing workplace productivity, and lifting vulnerable communities out of poverty.

Distinguished Leadership and Collaboration

The conference was co-organized by three leading institutions committed to social transformation and evidence-based policy advocacy:

• St. Paul’s University’s Directorate of Research and Innovation

• The Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI)

• The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)

The GRAPE Conference was officially opened by Prof. Esther Mombo, Vice-Chancellor of St. Paul's University. In her opening remarks, Prof. Mombo emphasized the moral responsibility of academic institutions to partner with faith communities and civil society in addressing systemic social challenges.

Among the prominent leaders and key stakeholders present were:

• Rev. Dr. Robert Waihenya, Secretary General of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA)

• Rev. Dr. Luka Ariko, General Secretary of the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA)

• Representatives from academic faculties, civil society coalitions, and community advocacy groups.

Moving Forward: A Call to Action

The National GRAPE Water Conference closed with a strong pledge to convert dialogue into action. By aligning intellectual rigor, moral authority, and grassroots advocacy, this dynamic coalition aims to engage state agencies, parliamentarians, and county governments to ensure that the 50-litre benchmark becomes a practical reality for every household in Kenya.

"Water is not merely a commodity; it is a fundamental human right that safeguards the dignity of human life across all spheres of society."

For media inquiries, full policy briefs, or conference proceedings, please contact the Directorate of Research and Innovation at St. Paul’s University.

LIMURU, KENYA – August 10, 2026 – St. Paul’s University (SPU), through the Directorate of Research and Innovation, is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking two-year research project titled “Spiritual Capital and Youth Innovation in an Age of Economic Anxiety.” Backed by a USD 100,000 grant from the Templeton Religion Trust (No. TRT-2025-35778) the project seeks to investigate how faith acts as a catalyst for economic resilience among Kenyan youth. In an era of high unemployment and market volatility, many young "hustlers" are turning to their religious communities—churches, mosques, and faith-based collectives—not just for spiritual solace, but as hubs for digital innovation, networking, and social entrepreneurship. 

Key project highlights include:

• 22 Postgraduate Scholarships: Funding for SPU postgraduate students to conduct research on the connection between faith and innovation. See call for applications (insert link for call for applications)
• Youth Innovation Hackathon: A competitive platform for faith-based and youth-led social enterprises to win seed funding.
• Digital Storytelling: Highlighting the lived experiences of 10 "Faith Innovators" through high-quality video documentaries.
• Workshops and Seminars: To share the project findings and to bring faith, business, policy and industry leaders together

This project further cements St. Paul’s University’s position as a leader in research and innovation in East Africa. Speaking about this new initiative, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Esther Mombo observes: “this initiative is aligned to our long heritage that shows that service to God is service to humanity. We are honoured at the trust that we are receiving from national and international partners to implement ideas that change the world.”

Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Prof. Abraham Waithima commented that “research and innovation is at the heart of the university agenda, and this is a testament of SPU’s credibility in the higher education research landscape.”

"This is not just about religion; it's about the science of survival and flourishing," says the Rev. Dr. Kevin Muriithi Ndereba, Director of Research and Innovation at SPU and Principal Investigator of the project. "We are moving beyond traditional charity models to understand how 'Science-Engaged Theology' can equip the next generation of African innovators to turn economic anxiety into sustainable opportunity."

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About St. Paul’s University
St. Paul’s University is a Christian ecumenical institution with its main campus in Limuru, Kenya and other campuses in Nairobi and Nakuru. Known for its academic excellence and commitment to "Servant Leadership," SPU remains at the forefront of interdisciplinary research that addresses the unique challenges of the African continent.
Media Contact:
Directorate of Research and Innovation
St. Paul’s University, Limuru
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Website: www.spu.ac.ke