On 14 December 2021 UNIDO ITPO Italy organized an introductory meeting between the Geothermal Association of Kenya (GAK) and the Italian Geothermal Union (UGI). Geothermics plays a strategic role in Kenya, with huge and untapped potential, while Italy has valuable knowledge, technologies and expertise in this field.

The discussion was attended, from the GAK side, by Chairman Paul Ngugi; Vice Chairman Peketsa Mangi; Geologist and Executive Officer Mike Karanja; Chair, GAK Strategy and Membership Committee Dr. Stephen Onacha; Chair, GAK Education, Publication and Programs Committee Prof. Nicholas Mariita; Chair, Legal Affairs and Nominating Committee Sharon Obonyo; Chair, Finance, Procurement and HR Committee Rosemary Olonde; Chair, Audit Committee Dr. Gathuru Mburu. From the UGI side: Bruno Della Vedova, Associate Professor of Applied Geophysics and President of UGI; Renato Papale, Geothermal Project Senior Engineer and UGI Treasurer; Paolo Basile, Senior Geologist, Steam Srl, UGI Board member; Adele Manzella, Senior Researcher at the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and Coordinator of Geothermal Research and Innovation within NRC (former UGI President).

This meeting — facilitated by UNIDO ITPO Italy’s FIPEE Project Coordinator Valentina Maltese, Investment Promotion Expert for Kenya Ester Temperato, and Special Advisor on Energy and Environment for Kenya Linda Faith Okaalet — focused on evaluating training and capacity building, matchmaking and networking activities, possible incoming and outgoing study tours and the exchange of best practices, in order to introduce the FIPEE project and identify potential areas of collaboration and synergies between the two associations.