Rafiki wa Mazingira Ltd (Friend of the Environment)
- Year Founded: 2021
- Location: Kakuma Refugee Camp and host community
- Energy Solutions and Services: Biomass briquette production, environmental education, clean cooking awareness
- Thematic Areas of Focus: Climate change mitigation, clean energy job creation, waste-to-energy, youth empowerment
- Number of Employees: 30 jobs created, direct and indirect
- Social Media: LinkedIn
- Contact: bajirenge8blaise@gmail.com
Rafiki Wa Mzingira’s Impact Story
In Kakuma Refugee Camp, many families rely on firewood and traditional charcoal for cooking. This contributes to rapid deforestation and creates health and safety risks for women and children who collect firewood. Demand outpaces the supply, leading to scarcity and high costs for these fuel sources. At the same time, agricultural activities around Kakuma produce significant waste, which is poorly managed.
Bajirenge, was inspired to take action to address these issues first by starting a small initiative called “Friends of the Nature Solution,” which produced eco-friendly charcoal briquettes from agricultural waste and the invasive Prosopis juliflora plant. The briquettes provide a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable alternative to firewood and traditional charcoal. Their production also contributes to the improved management of an invasive species that poses a serious threat to local ecosystems.
Following the initial success of Friends of the Nature Solution, Bajirenge formally registered the burgeoning social enterprise as a company in Kenya under the name “Rafiki wa Mazingira Limited, which in Swahili means “Friend of the Nature.” To refine the structure of the enterprise and build internal capacity, Bajirenge and his team leveraged local trainings, mentorship, and support from Ashden. The International Labor Organizatoin also provided support around managing briquette production.
Today, the business can produce one ton of briquettes per day and uses a motorbike to facilitate distribution. Its briquettes are sold at KES 30 per kilogram, making them accessible for low-income families. Rafiki wa Mazingira gains access to raw materials and promotes reforestation through partnerships with local forest officers and community groups.
Over 300 households have gained improved access to energy as a result of Rafiki wa Mazingira’s operations. Their shift to cleaner cooking methods has reduced pressure on local trees and supported the reclaiming of land affected by Prosopis juliflora. Additionally, the project has created more than 30 direct and indirect jobs, especially for youth and women, and it has increased awareness of clean energy and climate resilience in the camp.
Success Factors
Rafiki wa Mazingira Limited’s success is driven by a holistic approach that integrates community engagement, innovation, and strong governance. By educating and involving local communities, and particularly youth, the enterprise fosters a deep sense of local ownership in environmental stewardship. Its adoption of innovative waste management practices and promotion of sustainable livelihood opportunities align ecological goals with economic benefits.
Forming strategic partnerships has enhanced Rafiki wa Mazingira’s resource mobilization efforts and technical capacity, while effective use of technology has improved monitoring and outreach. Underpinning all efforts are robust governance structures and a commitment to transparency, ensuring accountability and trust. The organization’s adaptability to changing environmental and socio-economic conditions further reinforces its resilience and long-term impact.
External support has also been crucial to Rafiki wa Mazingira’s ability to grow and positively impact its community. The business received the grant funding and business development support needed to professionalize its operations from Ashden’s Refugee-Led Enterprise Accelerator. Another grant from World University Service of Canada (WUSC) made it possible to buy essential equipment, including a tuktuk for waste transportation, a laptop, a motorcycle, and an internet connection.
The Kenya Forest Research Insitutte registered the enterprise’s briquette production facility, while the Department of Refugee Services in Kenya and UNHCR Kenya have also facilitated free access to key services. DanChurchAid (DCA) provided support through different capacity building initiatives. Wing to Fly has also been an important partner.
Future Plans and Support Needs
Bajirenge envisions scaling and strengthening Rafiki wa Mazingira by increasing briquette production capacity, improving product quality, and expanding market reach both within and beyond Kakuma Refugee Camp. Acquiring advanced carbonization equipment, solar-powered machinery, and reliable transportation tools to optimize production and distribution processes is a strategic priority.
To realize these ambitions, the enterprise seeks external support in the form of funding, access to technical training and business development mentorship. Strategic partnerships with organizations that can provide machinery, facilitate market linkages, and offer advocacy support will be critical to the business’s growth and long-term sustainability.
About the Founder
Bajirenge Pascal Blaise is a Congolese environmentalist and the founder of Rafiki wa Mazingira Limited (Friends of Nature). Born and raised in Katana in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he completed his studies in Environmental Management at L’Institut Supérieur de Développement Rural d’Uvira (l’ISDR-UVIRA). Pascal sought refuge in Kakuma in 2017, due to conflict in his home country.
Today, Pascal leads a dedicated team focused on clean cooking solutions, youth employment, and environmental conservation in the refugee and host communities of Kakuma. His vision is to scale the impact across the region and empower displaced people through sustainable innovation.
