January - June 2008 - Kenya Agricultural Research Institute

Corporate Social Responsibility… KARI goes a notch higher
By Benjamin G. Onyancha, KARI Headquarters
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept
whereby organisations consider the interests of
society by taking responsibility for the impact of
their activities on customers, suppliers, employees,
communities and other stakeholders, as well as the
environment. It is a voluntary undertaking that further
steps in to improve the quality life for employees and
their families, the local community and society at large,
without necessarily benefiting out of it. This is an
obligation that an Institution extends beyond the statutory
obligations.
Since the beginning of 2008, KARI has made good of
its Corporate Social Responsibility in several ways. In
March 2008, the Director KARI, through the Welfare
Officer, Mr. Benjamin Onyancha, donated foodstuff and
other essential commodities to Shangilia Mtoto wa Africa
an orphanage home situated in Kangemi.
Mr. B. Onyancha(left), Mrs J. Ciira (third right), Mr. T.
Subano (second right) and Mr. Nkoroi (right) on behalf
of KARI handing over donations to a representative of
Shangilia Mtoto wa Africa, Kangemi
Shangilia Mtoto wa Africa was founded and registered in
1994, and has proven through performing arts, to be a
unique means to change the attitudes and practices of
street children mostly orphans. Through their
performances, the children have created an impact on the
KARI staff in the last two end of year parties at KARI
Headquarters thus the generous donation. Their shows
are designed to expose and sensitize society to the rising
predicament of those young lives lost on the street, sniffing
glue, picking pockets and prostitution.
As the Institute continues to view social responsibility
as a commitment to contributing towards economic
development and improving the quality of life of our local
communities, on 10 th May 2008, KARI partnered with
UUNET in co-sponsoring a 10 km walk dubbed “the
UUNET Ear walk”. Funds raised from this walk are meant
for improving the hearing health and lives of the less
privileged children of Kenya through ear operations for
the needy. The walk was flagged of by the former Vice
President, Hon. Moody Awori.
In another development, KARI’s participation in this
year’s Freedom from Hunger Walk whose theme was
“together let’s stamp out hunger” was evident. The event,
which was flagged off by Agriculture Minister Hon. William
Ruto at Nyayo National Stadium on May 17th, 2008, was
sponsored by the Nation Media Group, Brookside Dairy
among others. Over the years, KARI has religiously and
generously contributed towards this noble annual event.
Contributions to UTAFITI Primary School, Muguga,
KCAA East African School of Aviation, Bishop Kigen
Orphanage Home, National Humanitarian Trust are among
the contributions the Institute has made towards the spirit
of good neighborliness and keeping the spirit of Corporate
Social Responsibility alive.
Foodstuff donated by KARI to needy children of Shangilia Mtoto wa Africa, Kangemi
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