Tag Archive for: Poverty in Kenya

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How Investments Are Improving Kenya’s Health Care System

Kenya’s Health Care SystemKenya, located in East Africa, is known for its stunning landscapes and wildlife preserves. Since 2010, the nation has witnessed significant enhancements in its health care system. This has resulted in improved services and quality of life. The constitution, established in 2010, guarantees every individual the right to access the highest attainable standards of health care. Presently, Kenya’s health care system holds the second position in Africa, with South Africa leading in first place.

Despite this achievement, Kenya’s health care system is still facing obstacles to meeting its goal of having Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines UHC as being able to provide people with access to quality and essential health services (treatment, prevention, rehabilitation etc.) without subjecting the user to financial hardship. Currently, investments play a crucial role in helping accomplish this goal.

U.S. Trade and Development Agency

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) study grant to the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) will expand and improve Kenya’s health care infrastructure. The project will increase access to more than 96,000 patients annually. It will support the building of five medical centers with advanced equipment. Furthermore, it will expand cancer treatment services at the Nairobi Hospital and digitize its health care services and operations.

World Bank Vaccine Facility

The World Bank announced in February 2024 that it will be financing Kenya’s first vaccine production facility. The facility is expected to be built and operational in 2029 and will be able to meet Kenya’s growing vaccine demand. The population of Kenya is increasing steadily by approximately 2% a year. Currently, the vaccine demand is 16 million people. However, it is expected to reach upwards of 25 million people in the coming years.

This investment will help decrease the mortality rate from preventable diseases through immunizations. Finally, with this new facility, Kenya will be able to catch up with South Africa in producing vaccines and successfully avoid vaccine shortages by producing locally.

$215 million Resilient Health Systems Project

Kenyan citizens, refugees, the counties of Garissa and Turkana (host communities) and women and children who are considered low-income will be able to receive an improved quality of health care. This project will play a crucial role in furthering UHC and care. It will increase the capacity of people that they can care for, addressing geographical challenges, financing and worker shortages.

The financial management of Kenya’s Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), which provides health products and technology, will be improved by enhancing accountability and transparency. The lack of health care delivery and services will be addressed for about 1.8 million people in host communities. Additionally, this will aid 590,000 refugees living in Garissa and Turkana. It will support the transition and operation of the Social Health Authority (SHA). In collaboration with UHC, it will provide “efficient, affordable and non-discriminatory health care services to all Kenyans.”

Final Remark

With investments like these, Kenya’s health care system is set to make a transformative step toward achieving its dream of UHC. Increasing access to quality health care for rural, low-income individuals, refugees, mothers and children will help improve socioeconomic inequalities in Kenya. These investments help ensure that Kenya is able to maintain a leadership role in health care. They guarantee access to health care as a fundamental right, as defined in its constitution.

– Gabrielle Schwartz
Photo: Flickr

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Tuberculosis in Kenya

Kenya Battles TuberculosisKenya continues to battle against major communicable diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). With more than 120,000 affected patients each year, the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) documents the disproportionate rising cases among men from low and middle-income countries such as Kenya. ADIDEP cites how inequalities toward men seeking health, have exasperated due to factors such as poverty, poor environment, housing, food security, lack of education and financial hardship. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognizes common symptoms of TB include prologued cough with blood, chest pain, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, fever and night sweats. In recognition of the 32% undiagnosed and untreated TB patients in Kenya reported in 2023, the Ministry of Health launched the 2023/24 – 2027/28 National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB, Leprosy and Lung Health. This program aims to put an end to the devastating impact of TB on Kenya’s communities.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors treat tuberculosis with antibiotics. In Kenya, the primary antibiotics improving TB patients’ health are isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and streptomycin. Patients must take these medications daily for four to six months. WHO advises anyone experiencing symptoms of TB to seek medical attention immediately.

Ministry of Health Support to End Tuberculosis

During its launch, Mary Muthoni, the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, emphasized the 2023/24-2027/28 National Strategic Plan’s commitment to a people-centered approach in addressing tuberculosis in Kenya. In her February 2024 speech to the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation, Mary announced the start of a community-centered Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative, to deploy 100,000 Community Health Promoters. This initiative aims to enhance household screenings proactively and strengthen the government’s battle against TB. Furthermore, the program seeks to eliminate TB, leprosy and other lung complications by 2030.

Facilitating Gender Responsive Policies

The Division of National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Lung Disease Program (DNTLD-P) has collaborated with the LIGHT consortium since 2020 to enhance the Kenyan government’s efforts in addressing gender discrimination among TB patients. This partnership aims to fill gaps identified in Kenya’s previous NSP for 2019-2023, which lacked initiatives targeting gender-specific barriers to TB care and treatment.

The government has evaluated gender-equality approaches to ensure TB patients in Kenya receive fair treatment, regardless of gender. LIGHT, a global health research program, focuses on supporting TB treatment policies and practices in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda, with an emphasis on gender inclusivity. Its research demonstrates that improved access to TB care for men has decreased TB-related deaths, curbed transmission within communities and reduced the financial strain of TB treatment in Kenya. In response to LIGHT’s policy enhancement efforts, the NSP for 2023/24–2027/28 outlines specific initiatives aimed at assisting male TB patients in Kenya through the following targeted implementations:

  • Addressing socio-cultural barriers that prevent men, women and children from accessing healthcare
  • Creating awareness of TB and reducing stigma
  • Engaging strategically with a range of key stakeholders to ensure research is informed

 A Healthier Kenya

Initiatives like the NSP for TB and the LIGHT consortium’s efforts illuminate the path toward ending tuberculosis by fostering inclusivity and community support. These strategies are poised to transform health and tuberculosis care in Kenya and signal a promising future where access to treatment transcends gender barriers, enabling a united fight against this persistent disease.

– Kasia Flisiuk

Kasia is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Anno’s One Fine Day: Healing through the Arts

Healing Through the Arts: Anno’s Africa Supports Kenya's YouthArt therapy emerged as a formal discipline in the mid-20th century. It harnesses art’s healing power by enabling individuals to convey thoughts, emotions and experiences, including pain, in a nonverbal and indirect way. The Borgen Project interviewed Krysteen Savane, founder and director of Anno’s Africa One Fine Day. An Organization that strongly advocates for the therapeutic benefits of the arts in Kenya. Krysten Savane stated, “[Anno’s Africa is] a community-based organization… in which children and young people can explore their artistic abilities and learn about art to better understand themselves and the world in which they live.”

Poverty in Kenya

Rapid urbanization in Kenya has widened the gap between the upper and lower classes. According to the Academic Review of Humanities and Social Sciences (ARHUSS), 16% of the population lived below the national poverty line of $1.90 a day in 2021. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic hindered efforts to eliminate extreme poverty by 2020, with little change from the 17% level of extreme poverty. The World Bank does not foresee the elimination of poverty in Kenya by 2030.

Anno’s Africa Origin and One Fine Day

Founded in 2006 by Bee Gilbert in memory of her creative son Anno, Anno’s Africa focuses on empowering Kenyan youth through the arts. Intending to provide creative access similar to Anno’s upbringing, the U.K.-based organization, alongside the German charity One Fine Day—co-founded by Marie Steinmann and Tom Tykwer—merged in 2018 to enhance arts education in Nairobi’s informal settlements. In addition, Krysteen Savane has played a significant role in the organization’s outreach and impact from the start.

Empowering Through Creativity

Anno’s One Fine Day focuses on aiding children living in Kenya and Malawi’s slums. These children face poverty, leading to childhood mortality, illness, hunger and lack of education. The organization provides creative outlets for self-expression and discovering talents through courses in dance, art, drama, creative writing, music and circus skills.

Savane explains that in addition to its creative outlets, the program for young adults offers career-focused training in music production, fashion design, podcasting and digital skills. The organization collaborates with various groups to deliver these training sessions, equipping young adults for practical, creative careers in the real world.

Additionally, the organization established an Arts Centre in Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum with a population exceeding 300,000. According to Savane, this center serves as a haven for more than 1,500 students weekly, offering them space to engage creatively. Moreover, regular showcases allow these students to present their work to family, friends and the broader community, celebrating their artistic achievements and learning experiences.

Transformative Power with Anno’s One Fine Day

Anno’s Africa One Fine Day stands as a testament to the transformative power of art, offering hope and new perspectives to Kenya’s youth amid the challenges of poverty. Through its diverse programs, the organization has not only nurtured artistic talent but has also facilitated emotional healing and personal growth. Moreover, the success stories of students advancing to secondary education on scholarships and making marks on international stages underscore the impactful role of arts education in unlocking potential. Looking ahead, the continued expansion and support for Anno’s Africa One Fine Day promise to empower even more children and young adults in Kenya, fostering a community where dreams are pursued and abilities are explored. This journey of creativity and care paves the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all involved.

– Sophia Lovell

Sophia is based in Chula Vista, CA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Elderly Poverty in Kenya

Empowering Kenya's Elderly Out of PovertyElderly poverty in Kenya has been a longstanding issue, with many seniors facing financial insecurities due to a lack of adequate savings and limited access to health care. Subsequently, the “Inua Jamii” program, also known as the Older Persons Cash Transfer Program (OPCT) initiated in 2018, marks a significant effort by the government to improve the lives of Kenya’s seniors, directly addressing the issue of poverty among the elderly.

The Inua Jamii Program

The Inua Jamii Senior Citizensʼ scheme reaches approximately 763,000 older persons aged 70 years and above, more than 60% of which are women. Its primary objective is to improve the living standards of vulnerable seniors in Kenya by providing regular cash transfers to individuals. Eligible candidates must have a valid identification card and be excluded from other pension schemes.

Furthermore, the International Labor Organization (ILO) documents the program’s first year of implementation, stating that it “helped increase older people’s sense of dignity and self-worth.” The program ensures to provide individual entitlements rather than a household transfer. Through its initiative, the Kenyan government wishes to provide elders with full financial independence that does not limit them in their reliance on family for basic needs.

While the program primarily focuses on unconditional cash transfers, there are many positive conditionalities attached, such as ensuring children or grandchildren of beneficiaries attend school regularly and receive necessary vaccinations. These conditions aim to promote social inclusion, improve the overall well-being of beneficiary households and end elderly poverty in Kenya.

Reducing Elderly Poverty in Kenya

In 2024, a conversation with Kenya News Agency counselor, Ernest Onyana, praised the government’s recent financial injection, scheduled to begin Feb. 7, 2024. The government’s program has provided each pensioner with 2,000 shillings, a measure Onyona describes as essential in reducing poverty among Kenya’s elderly.

Moreover, in its five years of running, the scheme has collaborated with various banks to emphasize the creation of special services purposely designed for the pension scheme. Additionally, the program acknowledges daily challenges elderly individuals may encounter, particularly those with disabilities. As a response, the program is introducing M-PESA payments, which will prioritize disabled individuals by enabling them to conveniently receive payments from nearby, Onyona assures, in the continuous fight against elderly poverty in Kenya.

Supporting Elderly Women

Age International documents, according to the United Nations (U.N.) Women, 34% of women aged 60 have experienced violence since the beginning of 2020. The Kenyan government’s acute focus on bringing dignity to elders stricken by poverty in Kenya has positively contributed to older women and those with disabilities. ILO highlights individual entitlements, rather than a household transfer, have empowered older women to gain control over their funds.

Organizations such as the Older People’s Association (OPA), help build community groups to support the reduction of elderly poverty in Kenya by supporting seniors with health care, income and guidance in advocating for their rights. Implemented support groups such as the government-run scheme or smaller organizations such as OPA, continuously tackle and reduce the issue of elderly poverty in Kenya.

Positive Future

Over the years, the Inua Jamii program has undergone expansion to reach more elderly citizens across different regions of Kenya. The government has made efforts to increase the coverage and scale of the program to help reach the poorest communities in the fight to reduce elderly poverty in Kenya. Overall, the Inua Jamii program represents a significant government initiative in Kenya aimed at addressing elderly poverty and promoting social inclusion and dignity for older citizens.

– Kasia Flisiuk
Photo: Flickr

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How ActionAid International Is Improving Public Health in Kenya

ActionAidDespite Kenya being one of the largest and most developed countries in Eastern and Central Africa, it still grapples with significant challenges, particularly regarding food security, access to clean water, health care and education. The country is currently reported to have made strides in economic development. Still, persistent issues such as poverty, inequality and corruption continue to hinder progress, especially in rural and marginalized communities. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach involving government intervention and collaboration with important organizations such as the ActionAid International nonprofit.

ActionAid: An Overview

ActionAid is a global movement working toward improving public health in Kenya. It also aims to eradicate poverty and injustice by supporting people and communities to claim their rights and achieve sustainable change. The organization was founded in 1972 and focused on empowering developing communities and marginalized groups to advocate for access to health care resources. At the heart of the group’s approach is the belief that poverty is not simply based on lack of income but is also about community marginalization. The organization works in various Kenyan locations to address the root causes of poverty, including unequal distribution of resources, discrimination and lack of access to education and health care.

ActionAid’s methods and programs differ from the standard nonprofit approach, encompassing many overlooked issues, including women’s health rights, climate justice, humanitarian responses and economic justice. Through grassroots mobilization, advocacy campaigns and partnerships with other impactful organizations, the nonprofit is improving public health in Kenya. This society seeks to amplify the voices of affected populations by creating community-led initiatives and providing essential resources to influence policy changes that address the systemic inequalities faced by marginalized communities in the country. The organization focuses on three critical areas for improving public health in Kenya: empowerment, solidarity and campaigning for social justice.

The Response to Poverty and Rights

In addition to its programmatic work, ActionAid also conducts research plans, policy analysis and public awareness campaigns to raise awareness about the fundamental causes of poverty and advocate for changes at the national and international levels. One of these impactful plans, labeled “Strategic Objective 2,” involves facilitating young people and communities living in poverty and exclusion to advocate for their rights with democratic governance for access to the advancement of economic opportunities for young people. This plan aims to build capacity among youth and marginalized communities, providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to effectively engage with policymakers, demand accountability and participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives.

The organization also works with various impoverished communities to provide them with essential resources, capacity-building initiatives and support to address specific needs and challenges. One of these impactful plans, labeled “Strategic Objective 3,” involves:

  • Implementing sustainable development projects.
  • Facilitating access to education and health care services.
  • Promoting economic empowerment through livelihood programs.
  • Advocating for policy changes that advance the rights and well-being of marginalized populations.

Through these collaborative efforts, the organization strives to foster resilience, self-reliance and dignity among communities facing poverty and exclusion. Furthermore, ActionAid is committed to maintaining long-term partnerships with local organizations such as the Foreign Ministry of Affairs of Denmark to ensure that interventions are culturally sensitive, contextually appropriate and sustainable in improving public health in Kenya.

Addressing Food Insecurity and Access To Clean Water

ActionAid, recognizing the critical importance of addressing food insecurity and lack of clean water access, has implemented several initiatives across Kenya to tackle these pressing issues. The organization aims to empower communities to secure their right to food and clean water through grassroots mobilization, advocacy campaigns and educational strategies. The organization has implemented these sustainable solutions in multiple locations nationwide, including Turkana, Garissa and Baringo.

In addition to addressing the immediate need for resource accessibility, ActionAid also recognizes the importance of education in influencing communities to break the cycle of poverty and achieve sustainable development. One of the most notable programs developed to address this issue is the “Education For Life Project (EFL),” which equips marginalized youth and adults with the essential skills and knowledge for personal and developmental growth.

The EFL project goes beyond traditional classroom education by incorporating practical, hands-on learning experiences tailored to participants’ and their communities’ specific needs and aspirations. The initiative is currently implemented in five regions of Kenya (Kisumu, Garissa, Kilifi, Migori and Isiolo) in partnership with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and Leonard Cheshire (LC) to influence positive school and life skills for the most marginalized populations.

– Caleb Ilayan
Photo: Unsplash

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LWML: Mission Grants for the Children of Kenya

Mission Grants for the Children of Kenya Children in Kenya are struggling. In places like Kisumu, many are living on the streets, “begging and stealing to survive.” They sleep in unsafe and unsanitary places such as parks or the sewer. There is a lack of clean drinking water for those who attend school, especially in rural areas where children must walk long distances to retrieve water that may not even be safe for them to drink. Water-borne illness is a common cause of low school attendance and children falling behind in schoolwork. Fortunately, these problems have caught the attention of an organization that now provides mission grants for the children of Kenya. These organizations take action to improve the conditions for Kenyan children with the financial help of missionaries and auxiliaries.

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML)

Founded in 1942, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is an official auxiliary of the Lutheran Church. Its purpose is to encourage and equip Christian women to live in active ministry and support global missions. Each year, the members of LWML vote on a list of missions to support and establish a financial goal to reach for them. A few missions working on improving the lives of Kenyan children have made the list. Here are two of LWML’s mission grants for the children of Kenya.

Water and the Word for Rural Schools in Kenya

This is one of the mission grants for the children of Kenya that started in 2008 when a man from Nebraska was traveling around East Africa and saw the need for clean drinking water in rural areas and took action. Through help from social workers and educators in Nakuru, he developed a system of water harvesting equipment. The team installed water storage, filters, hand-washing systems, rain gutters and tanks in schools across Kenya.

In 2016, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod took over the project. It became an organization that continues to bring clean water resources and religious teachings to schools in Kenya. In 2019, LWLM members approved the mission grant to continue supporting this project.

Capstone Ministries

Capstone Ministries is another project on the list of mission grants for the children of Kenya that LWML supports. Founded in 2005, the organization focuses on bringing street children in Kenya, especially the areas in and around Kisumu, back to their families. There are many challenges that this process includes such as children who feel shame, hopelessness or poverty burden and do not want to go back home. By 2016, Capstone Ministries reconciled 678 children with their families, according to its website. The project’s members frequently visit these children and their families to ensure all is going well.

In Kenya, high school education is not free. The average yearly price is $650 and many cannot afford it. Capstone Ministries started a scholarship fund to provide affordable opportunities for kids to continue school. In 2016, the organization sponsored 42 boys in secondary school, according to its website.

LWML Involvement

In addition to providing mission grants for the children of Kenya, members of LWML become personally involved with the missions themselves. Shurie Scheel was one of these hands-on people in 2022 when she visited Kenya to see the progress of the Water and the Word project. Scheel is the grant administrator for Water and the Word and is an active member of LWML at her local Lutheran church in Wyoming.

While visiting the schools, Scheel and her group brought the children soccer balls, books, school supplies, as well as sanitary supplies for the schoolgirls to keep them going to school. Representing the LWML, she established groundwork and connections with the people working on the mission. She was able to bring back information and visual evidence that the money LWML was giving to the project was having a positive impact on the lives of the schoolchildren therefore encouraging more donations.

Missionary groups like the LWML are helping to provide financial support for projects like Water and the Word and Capstone Ministries. This process relieves the time-consuming fundraising efforts so the missions can work on important things like improving the lives of impoverished children.

– Heather Gisi
Photo: Unsplash

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Renewable Energy in Kenya

Renewable Energy in KenyaThe great rift valley running through the heart of Kenya spans 6,400 kilometers from Jordan to Mozambique. Below its surface, water effortlessly seeps through, encountering heated rocks situated 1-3 kilometers beneath the earth’s crust. This interaction yields a combination of superheated water and steam, constituting 75% and 25%, respectively, with temperatures averaging 300 degrees Celsius (572 degrees Fahrenheit) and pressures reaching 1,000 PSI. Remarkably, these conditions prove optimal for harnessing geothermal energy.

In the 21st century, particularly in the past few years, Kenya has begun to harness this geological advantage to become a global powerhouse in clean energy. With a total geothermal power capacity of 988.7MW, of which 799MW stems from the Great Rift Valley, Kenya is the 6th largest producer of geothermal energy worldwide. According to KenGen, there is potential for this capacity to rise to 10,000MW, with a view to Kenya being powered entirely by renewable energy by 2030.

What Does This Mean for the World?

In a declaration by Kenyan President William Ruto, who is leading the campaign for the country’s shift from fossil fuel reliance, he claimed that: “Despite Africa having an estimated 40% of the world’s renewable energy resources, only $60bn or 2% of $3tn renewable energy investments in the last decade have come to Africa.”

Increases in foreign aid investments could be mutually beneficial for both Kenya and Western nations. If foreign aid budgets increased in focus on expanding upon Africa’s renewable energy infrastructure, for example, by helping to expand operations in Kenya, this could potentially provide a solution to the West’s continued reliance on fossil fuels and give a boost to the West’s efforts in fighting the climate crisis through trade alliances with African nations.

What Does This Mean for Kenya and Africa as a Whole?

A substantial economic boost could be anticipated with increased foreign aid investment into renewable energy infrastructure projects in Africa. Infrastructure projects will likely require a significant uptake in local workers to assist with building power plants and wellheads, providing local people with new employment opportunities and the prospect of newfound wealth in the region.

The potential transformation of Africa’s power grid through these investments also cannot be understated: “According to the U.N., more than half of the sub-Saharan population does not have access to power, making it the lowest region due to the lack of a grid that distributes power to consumers. Large African economies like Nigeria and South Africa rely heavily on fossil fuels to supply their booming population.”

For decades, Africa’s troubles with poor power grid infrastructure have constrained the continent’s capacity for economic growth. Manufacturing, infrastructure and retail sites cannot operate without a sufficient and reliable power supply. Therefore, the economic boost these developments could provide is unequivocally huge, as well as the employment opportunities that are so desperately needed.

Kenya’s geothermal operations already provide enough to power approximately 3,800,000 homes through state and private commercial projects. It is, therefore, relatively simple to imagine the extraordinary impact further investment from Western states could have on alleviating millions of Kenyans and Africans across the continent out of poverty.

– Ethan Leyden
Photo: Flickr

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Water Crisis in Turkana, Kenya

Water Crisis in TurkanaThe largest county in Kenya, Turkana, is situated in the northwestern corner of the country, bordering Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda. Turkana is widely recognized as “the cradle of mankind” as prolific evidence of the existence of hominids has been found here, dating back to over four million years ago. The people inhabiting this region are nomadic pastoralists, relying on the animals they raise for food and income.  They move two to three times a year to avoid exhausting the land’s resources and traditionally chase the rain with their livestock. 

As explained in “The Journal of African History,” published by Cambridge University, the Turkana people actively resisted and defied the occupation of their land by imperial forces of British-occupied East Africa during the 1920s and ‘30s. This resistance followed a series of conflicts with 19th century traders and explorers.  During Britain’s colonization of Kenya, the Turkana region was largely left untouched. In addition to the people’s opposition to British rule, the arid climate was unfavorable to colonizers and deemed without value to anyone besides the Turkana people themselves. 

Effects of a Long-Lasting Drought

Droughts have been well documented in the Turkana region of Kenya since the 1960s, projected to occur every five years. However, droughts have become an annual occurrence since the 1990s. The most recent drought began in 2020 and had killed an estimated 439,400 livestock by mid-2022. Considering the importance of livestock in this region, a crisis of hunger and water scarcity has catapulted conflicts over vital resources between pastoralists. 

Vegetation cannot withstand the extreme temperatures of the desert and livestock is unavailable to slaughter or sell, positioning Turkana’s residents in a threatening situation. According to the Rockefeller Foundation, 60% of Turkana’s population is experiencing acute hunger and food insecurity, which places their lives in immediate danger if food cannot be accessed and consumed. It is not uncommon for people to subsist on local fruit trees and insects.

The Impacts of Corruption

Most of the Turkana people rely on boreholes constructed by the government or development organizations. According to the Water, Peace and Security report, water in Kenya is drilled by the government and handed down to elected water user officials who regulate the use of the water points. A combination of poor borehole management and limited rainfall has lowered the water table of wells, exacerbating the water crisis in Turkana.  People often travel long distances to access these points of water, which are often high in salinity and low in water quantity.  It is not uncommon for locals to climb into these wells to access water.  These people are subject to extreme danger, risking falling or getting trapped below the Earth’s surface, as these wells may reach hundreds of feet deep.

In addition to these challenges, water cartels, known as Nakanas, are prevalent. Though water is ideally managed by regional committees, these cartels regularly redirect water to themselves for sale, preventing people from accessing water points. Influential businessmen and politicians also guard access to boreholes, illegally diverting water for their benefit.

Scare Resources Drive Conflict

The largest permanent desert lake in the world, Lake Turkana is at the fingertips of Northern Kenyans. The river stretches into Southwestern Ethiopia, feeding into the Omo River. The Omo River is subject to rising water levels due to deforestation and erratic rainfall in Ethiopia. Overflow from the Omo permeates Lake Turkana, altering the salinity of the water and thus changing breeding patterns among fish.  Fishing communities have been forced to migrate to new areas to sustain their livelihoods, creating conflicts between the Turkana people and those residing along Ethiopia’s border. Intercommunal conflicts along the Turkana-West Pokot and Samburu-Baringo borders also exist as tribes compete over scarce resources. 

Amid the water crisis in Turkana, multiple organizations are committed to improving the lives of those impacted by the drought. Several teams have been working on the ground to improve the food and water security of the population.  

Keep IT Cool

A Google-backed startup based in Nairobi, known as Keep IT Cool, is transforming the food industry in Northern Kenya. The organization operates as a decentralized cold-chain company and food distributor. Keep IT Cool serves Turkana’s pastoralists by providing fisherfolk with reliable transportation and freezers to prevent spoilage during the transport to Nairobi. To help fisherfolk support themselves and their families, the company also pays 20-30 more Kenyan shillings per kilogram of fish than the local asking price.

WaterCredit Initiative

Water.org’s WaterCredit Initiative is helping people in 11 countries access affordable loans for clean water. The organization works with in-country financial companies and water service providers to add loans for water and varying sanitation solutions to their businesses. Water.org has been working to tackle the water crisis in Turkana and other regions throughout Kenya since 2005. The initiative has successfully provided 6.6 million people access to clean water and sanitation.

– Sophia Loizos
Photo: Flickr

Kenya’s Hunger Safety Net Program for Drought-Hit Homes

Hunger Safety Net ProgramHostile climates can greatly affect poverty, restricting people’s ability to make a living, provide for themselves and survive amid extreme temperatures. In Kenya, when harsh environments impede the ability to survive financially, the government steps in to help. The Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP), run by the National Drought Management Authority of Kenya (NDMA), is a program that aims to provide unconditional financial support through cash transfers for the eight most dry and poverty-vulnerable counties in Kenya: Turkana, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Garissa, Isiolo, Samburu and Rana River.

Drought-Driven Poverty

HSNP focuses on these “arid or semi-arid lands (ASALs)” because they are prone to food insecurity and poverty. Severe drought makes farming and food production extremely difficult, leaving families starving without income to buy food and relying on emergency food aid. Drought along with failing rain seasons chronically exacerbates poverty and the threat of death from starvation. With money from HSNP, families can purchase enough food and varied ingredients to feed their families and pay for education, keeping them from dropping into life-threatening circumstances. The government disburses Ksh537 million ($3 million) to poor families to mitigate the effects of drought.

Evaluation of the Kenya HSNP, Oxford Policy Management

In 2009, the HSNP  began as a collaboration effort between the NDMA and the Department for International Development. The initial pilot phase started in the same year, focusing on providing cash transfers to households in arid regions of the country. After this success, more phases followed, with the second launching in 2013 to expand coverage and introduce additional components like livelihood support. The third phase began in 2019, aiming to enhance resilience and sustainability.

How the Hunger Safety Net Program Works

There are two groups of HSNP beneficiaries: those who receive money bi-monthly and direly need help and those who only receive funds in case of emergency like a sudden drought or economic shock. For all applications, one person must be in the household with a national identity card to receive the money, and the climate must suffer from drought. Submissions are evaluated by a PMT, or Proxy Mean Test, an “electronic selection based on set predetermined socioeconomic parameters to generate a household livelihood condition score (HLCS).”

Once accepted, beneficiaries set up a bank account with a Mastercard through which they receive money. To ensure the transfers reach the correct households safely, a fingerprint scan identifies them before they can receive the first transfer.

Impact

The program has successfully achieved its goals of helping reduce drought-driven poverty and starvation. HSNP alone provided funds to 68,621 homes; the current version supports 101,800 homes. The HSNP has big plans for the future. On that list is an expansion to support 32,000 more households in ASALs.

– Emily Shapiro
Photo: Unsplash

USAID Revitalizes Oldonyiro Market in Kenya

USAID Revitalizes Oldonyiro Market in Kenya About 30% of Kenyans live below the national poverty line, a figure that has gradually decreased over the years. However, Kenya continues to grapple with conflicts that exacerbate the disparity between the wealthy and the poor. Specifically, many Kenyan families, particularly women and girls, remain vulnerable to economic shocks, which droughts and floods can trigger. Agriculture and livestock markets, like Oldonyiro Market, significantly drive Kenya’s economy, making it susceptible to downturns during crises. The absence of adequate market spaces can jeopardize people’s food and financial security when facing economic shocks.

Oldonyiro Market

Oldonyiro Market, situated in Laikipia County in northern Kenya, acts as a crucial hub for nearby rural communities to trade consumer goods. On alternate days, vendors and buyers exchange livestock, produce, clothing and household items, offering local farmers and entrepreneurs a venue to sell their products and earn a living. However, the market’s operations are vulnerable to climatic conditions, posing challenges to maintaining a stable trading environment. Droughts, floods, theft and extreme temperatures threaten the market’s security, impacting the community’s ability to sustain a steady income.

Feed The Future

Feed the Future is a United States (U.S.) initiative, spearheaded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aimed at addressing global hunger by tackling its underlying causes. It focuses on enhancing agricultural-led growth, resilience and nutrition in countries facing significant challenges and opportunities for improvement. Feed the Future has been instrumental in assisting millions of individuals in vulnerable communities worldwide. Its efforts have resulted in reductions in hunger and malnutrition, as well as the augmentation of incomes through agriculture, fostering economic opportunities both within and beyond farming sectors.

USAID’s Help

Through Feed The Future, USAID partnered with the government of Kenya to revamp Oldonyiro Market for the benefit of the surrounding communities’ economic growth and agricultural security. USAID built the market by constructing covered buildings, market stalls, shops and informal eateries to better secure the trading center, allowing the people to trade even in times of severe drought. This gave them hope and safety, making for booming business and a steadier income.

It is important to note that markets like Oldonyiro contribute to the broader agricultural economy of Kenya by providing a platform for farmers and traders to buy and sell goods, thereby stimulating economic activity at the grassroots level. Additionally, the agricultural sector is a major contributor to Kenya’s economy, employing a significant portion of the population and generating income from both domestic consumption and export.

Looking Forward

Kenya’s journey toward economic resilience and food security, exemplified by the transformation of Oldonyiro Market, highlights the power of collaborative initiatives like Feed the Future. By fortifying the infrastructure necessary for agricultural and economic stability, such efforts are paving the way for a future where Kenyans can thrive despite environmental and economic challenges. This model of development, fostering both local entrepreneurship and agricultural productivity, offers a blueprint for sustainable progress in communities across the globe.

– Tristen Jerkins
Photo: Unsplash

 

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