KENNEDY KAMANDE WANGARI

First name
Kennedy
Last name
Wangari
Email
[email protected]
Phone number
+254 791 322767
How do you self-identify or would like to be identified?
Man
Do you belong to any ethnic minority group of self-identify as an indigenous person?
No
Affiliation, organization, or community
United Nations Environment Programme
Years of professional or activism experience or of knowledge built on specific indigenous expertise
1-5 years
Country of residence
Kenya
Languages
English
Spanish
In which geographic region (and sub-region) does your work mostly focus?
Eastern Africa
Mitigation
Agriculture
Carbon fixation and abatement
Energy Efficiency
Forestry
Renewable energy
Transport
Adaptation
Agriculture and forestry
Coastal Zones
Early warning systems and Environmental assessment
Infrastructure and Urban Planning
Marine and Fisheries
Water
Climate technologies
Energy production
Agriculture, forestry, land-use, fisheries
Water supply and wastewater management
Solid waste management
Transport
End-use energy efficiency
Information and communication technology and digital technologies (AI and ML)
Cross-sectoral enablers
Capacity-building and training
Communication and awareness
Governance and planning (policy, regulatory systems)
Innovation, research, development and demonstration
Cross-cutting approaches
Community-based
Disaster Risk Reduction
Ecosystems and biodiversity
Endogenous technologies
Do you have proven experience in gender and climate change issues?
Yes, my work/ area of expertise mainly focuses on gender and climate change
Mitigation
Agriculture
Carbon fixation and abatement
Energy Efficiency
Forestry
Renewable energy
Waste management
Adaptation
Agriculture and forestry
Coastal Zones
Early warning systems and Environmental assessment
Infrastructure and Urban Planning
Marine and Fisheries
Climate Technologies
Energy production
Agriculture, forestry, land-use, fisheries
Water supply and wastewater management
Transport
End-use energy efficiency
Information and communication technology and digital technologies (AI and ML)
Cross-cutting approaches
Disaster Risk Reduction
Ecosystems and biodiversity
Endogenous technologies
Cross-sectoral enablers
Capacity-building and training
Communication and awareness
Governance and planning (policy, regulatory systems)
Innovation, research, development and demonstration
Please provide your short bio reflecting on your academic, professional and practical background

Kennedy Kamande Wangari is a globally recognized voice at the nexus of AI, technology, policy, climate action, humanity, journalism and sustainability.  

 

He is at the frontline, shaping a future where climate resilience, digital sustainability, and ethical AI governance converge to empower a thriving, green, equitable and intelligent tomorrow.

 

At the intersection of AI, technology, policy, climate science, humanity, journalism and sustainability, I build ethical AI systems, shape inclusive technology policies for the global south, and amplify AI and digital literacy for climate resilience and human empowerment.

 

As a Machine Learning Researcher, he is building scalable and ethical AI Systems like the DeepPlastic Watch Tool—a real-time AI system that detects, classifies, and eliminates marine plastic waste, revolutionizing environmental protection through data.

 

As a Technology Policy Analyst, Kennedy advocates for responsible and inclusive AI and data governance frameworks tailored to the Global South, while advancing low-carbon computing to help achieve net-zero goals in the ICT sector. He has contributed to Kenya’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030, advised the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on digital plastic action, while championing equitable tech policy agendas that uphold fairness, digital sovereignty, and environmental sustainability.

 

Through tech journalism and public thought leadership, Kennedy simplifies complex technologies and policies, translating them into accessible, people-powered narratives.

He regularly writes for leading outlets such as the Business Daily, the Star, the People Daily, the Standard, the Daily Nation Newspapers, and contributes to global forums—bridging the gap between innovation and public understanding.

 

Kennedy has empowered over 5,797 learners through AI and data education scholarships, scaled grassroots STEM initiatives like Coding with Kids in Kibera, and led advocacy for localized, multilingual youth-centered tech literacy and digital programs. His work is rooted in the belief that AI and emerging technologies must not only be powerful—but just, inclusive, and regenerative.

Curriculum vitae
CV link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KJXqVm_2Hl_8VDBBv9cpUwFCRg8L_Ckm/view?usp=shar…
Provide a link to your LinkedIn account
https://kennedykwangari.github.io/
Are you interested in being contacted for any of the following
Panelist at climate change event
Contributor to research/publication
Interviewed by the media