St. Paul’s University (SPU) continues to solidify its reputation as a crucible for transformative leadership and entrepreneurial innovation. In a historic show of excellence, two SPU students emerged as top awardees at the prestigious Jamhuri Kenya Campus and TVET Awards 2026, held on Saturday, 26th September 2026.
The annual awards ceremony celebrates outstanding post-secondary students across Kenya who exhibit exceptional vision, leadership, and drive toward societal impact.
Double Victory for SPU Innovators and Leaders
The awards night highlighted the institution's commitment to nurturing holistic, impact-driven change-makers across diverse disciplines.
- Outstanding Student Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation Award – East Africa
Winner: Paulette Hawi (School of Business and Leadership Studies)
Paulette, an active innovator at SPU iPARK, earned regional recognition for her pioneering work in student entrepreneurship. Her award underscores SPU’s vibrant incubation environment, where young minds transform venture ideas into scalable, real-world solutions.
- Female Student Leadership & Impact Excellence Award – 2026
Winner: Sabina Nzuna (School of Communication and Computer Science)
Serving as the Vice Chairperson of the St. Paul’s University Students Association (SPUSA), Sabina was honored for her dedicated service, student advocacy, and exemplary leadership across campus communities.
Shaping the Agenda: "Beyond the Classroom"
Beyond taking home top accolades, SPU’s presence was strongly felt during the event’s flagship intellectual session. Paulette Hawi was invited to represent student innovators on an executive panel discussing the theme: ‘Beyond the Classroom: Leadership for Africa’s Future.’
Panellists engaged in a thought-provoking exchange alongside notable young leaders from higher education and industry, including:
- Bennyhinn Walubengo — Founder & Chief Visionary Officer, iSpeak Academy
- John Muchai — Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT)
- Mutua Titus — Tharaka University
- Enock Kwena — Moi University
The discussion explored how higher learning institutions can equip students to look beyond theoretical coursework and leverage leadership positions to solve pressing community challenges across Africa.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Changemakers
Reflecting on their victories, both Paulette and Sabina emphasized that these awards serve as a catalyst to expand their work—inspiring fellow students to embrace bold initiative, ethical leadership, and service to society.
"Leadership is not just about holding positions—it's about making a difference, inspiring others, and serving with integrity."
St. Paul’s University extends its heartfelt congratulations to Paulette Hawi and Sabina Nzuna for flying the SPU banner high and demonstrating the transformative power of holistic Christian higher education.