This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
Kenya's annual pencil imports have reached 150 million, with none of these pencils manufactured locally. This staggering statistic has sparked a mission to change the status quo.
Meet Mahamud Omari and Fadhil Mohamed, the duo behind Mo&Mo Group Company, a start-up launched in July 2018. Their innovative approach involves producing pencils from recycled newspapers, a move aimed at reducing deforestation and promoting environmental conservation.
According to the United Nations, about six acres of trees are cut down every minute globally to supply the timber needed to make approximately 14 billion pencils produced annually. If these trees were to be cut in the Mau Forest at this rate, it would only take 78 days for the largest indigenous montane forest in East Africa to be cleared.
Omari, a film producer and CEO of Mo&Mo Group, and Mohamed, an interior designer and chief brand officer, were driven by a desire to make a difference in the lives of learners, create jobs, and contribute to Kenya's environmental conservation.
After conducting market research and traveling to China to purchase the necessary machinery, the duo established a production plant in Mavoko, employing 15 full-time staff. Their pencils are made from recycled newspapers, which are cut to size, glued together, and then rolled, dried, and inserted into films.
Mo&Mo Group has been donating pencils to pupils in primary schools, especially in disadvantaged communities, and providing each pupil with a tree seedling to grow. This initiative aims to promote a conservation mentality and empower students to take care of their environment.
As Omari notes, 'A few years to come, we will have students who are empowered and aware of the importance of taking care of their environment.'
