Tag Archive for: Poverty in Kenya

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Building Wells In Kenya: A Change For Education

wells in KenyaThroughout Kenya, women and girls are responsible to collect water and often spend a significant amount of time each day walking to collect water. Not only do these walks expose them to harsh weather, dangerous terrain and potential attacks, but the water collected often comes from a polluted source.

Those walking for water often walk an average of 4 miles round trip. This can take multiple hours as the terrain is rough and the weather can be brutal. During the dry months when there is no rain, water cannot be collected from waterholes and will instead be retrieved from rivers infested with crocodiles. The walk to the river is more than six miles.

As young girls walk multiple times each day, they often lose the opportunity to receive education while also enduring health risks, social disparities, and environmental impacts.

Risks

As the walk for water takes up most of their day, children and, in particular, young girls, often miss school or do not focus properly on their studies. This lack of education allows a cycle of poverty to continue and limit future employment or economic advancement for these Kenyan families.

When collecting water, there is often no way of filtering out the dirt and bacteria in the water. The dirt and bacteria within the water causes the water to regularly run brown and serious waterborne diseases can easily be contracted.

Besides the risk of waterborne diseases, these Kenyan families often do not have enough water for proper hygiene and sanitation. This creates an environment where diseases such as respiratory illnesses, diabetes, diarrhea, malaria, typhoid and HIV will thrive.

Organizations Providing Clean, Sustainable Water

United Mission Relief (UMR) helps communities in Kenya with food insecurity, economic instability and health issues. They provide an initiative that trains women and children in water-efficient farming methods while giving hands-on experience and entrepreneurial skills in order to create some financial independence.

Water For Life Charity has projects providing wells in Kenya. The organization selects the best location for a well, then conducts a survey to choose an area with water bearing zones present before installing a well.

Water Wells For Africa is an organization that has installed more than 500 wells in Kenya for 29 years. Along with these pumps, they have seen a decrease in waterborne diseases. Many of the pumps installed are built to last and easy to maintain, many of which have already lasted 20+ years.

The Water Project works to equip, train and fund non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have an established presence in countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Sierra Leone. These NGOs work with The Water Project to provide clean water with reliable access as well as maintenance for installed wells.

Improving Lives

The WellBoring Organization provided wells in Kenya to 40 schools and observed the long-term impacts. The results of the observation showed more education access as enrollment increased by more than 10% with only a 5% absenteeism rate.

As the organization provides safe water to more than 300 schools, the increase in school attendance rose to the millions. Schools with 500 students now have 75 additional students, as children would no longer have to take time out of their day to get water.

The promotion of hygiene practice, along with access to safe water, enhances community health. A significant reduction in waterborne diseases occurred in these communities because of easily accessible and clean water that these wells in Kenya provide.

– Eva Wakelin

Eva is based in Atlanta, GA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Kenya’s School Meal Programs: Fighting Hunger

Kenya’s School Meal ProgramsKenya’s school meal programs are supported by the World Food Program (WFP) and the Home‑Grown School Meals (HGSMP) initiative ensure that children in penurious communities receive reliable daily meals. Kenya’s School Meal Programs improve nutritional needs and maintain school attendance.

Malnutrition

Making up 36% of the population, Kenya’s children/adolescents face a dual nutritional crisis that accounts for undernutrition and obesity. The “Double burden” is the cause of several children’s physical growth, academic performance, cognitive skills and overall health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to focus on developing food systems in school’s that actively promote health and sustain ability specifically in school environments where children “spend most of their time in school, about 75% of the year, where they consume more than half of their daily meals,” African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) reports.

For instance, the Dishi Na County initiative from the Nairobi city county “targeting public primary schools and early childhood education centres in its jurisdiction” establishes centralized kitchens that prepare meals in bulk and distribute them to public schools and early childhood centers at highly subsidized rates. By reducing costs associated with decentralized infrastructure, the program aims to enhance nutrition, enrollment, and academic performance

The Evolution of It All

The National School Feeding Council (NSFC) managed the first ever school meal program in Kenya in 1966 whose purpose was to provide a supplement to mid-day meals to the children. Then in 1971, the government expanded the program to more marginalized groups that amplified enrollment of public primary schools holistically including “Samburu County increased by 31%, Wajir 71%, Isiolo 23%, Marsabit 20%, and Tana River County by 26%,” Kenya Insitute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) reports.

In 1980, the government collaborated with the WFP for a five-year feeding initiative for rural communities to improve the education system, like attendance, performance, and retention. Between 1980 and 1989, there was a lot of success where hunger and malnourishment decreased and “enrollment increased by 56% among primary school children” in this time, KIPPRA reports. Due to this, the program extended into 1998 to 2003 and again from 2004 to 2007 under WFP Emergency operations.

The Transition to Home-Grown School Meals Program

The WFP’s school meals initiative in Kenya has played a vital role in combating hunger, malnutrition and school dropout rates, particularly in vulnerable and food-insecure regions. Initially launched in the early 1980s, the program provided cooked meals directly to schools, with a focus on arid and semi-arid areas (ASALs) where food scarcity was most severe. Over time, the initiative evolved into a more sustainable model. In 2009, the Kenyan government introduced the Home-Grown School Meals Programme (HGSMP), which shifted from food aid to a system where schools receive government funds to procure food from local farmers. This change not only enhanced the cultural relevance and freshness of meals but also empowered rural farmers and stimulated local economies.

Beyond just feeding students, the program has created ripple effects throughout communities. Women’s groups and youth cooperatives have been engaged as suppliers, school cooks and food processors, generating income and skills development opportunities.

In some counties, centralized kitchens like those in Nairobi’s Dishi Na County initiative, while separate from the national HGSMP, mirror the WFP’s goals of cost-effective, large-scale meal production and efficient delivery.

Additionally, since its inception in 2009, Kenya’s HGSMP Program has expanded significantly, growing from serving 200,000 children to nearly 1 million by 2016, WFP reports.

The Impact

Kenya’s school meal programs, rooted in decades of collaboration between the government, the WFP and local communities, demonstrate how targeted interventions can transform both education and nutrition outcomes. By addressing the dual burden of malnutrition and food insecurity, initiatives like the Home-Grown School Meals Programme and Dishi Na County not only keep children in classrooms but also improve their overall health, academic performance and prospects.

As these programs continue to expand, their integrated approaches, such as linking food systems, education, and community empowerment, offer a powerful example for sustainable development in Kenya and beyond.

– LaRaymee Lee

LaRaymee is based in Missouri City, TX, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Health Care Crisis: 4 Diseases Impacting Kenya

Diseases Impacting KenyaKenya’s health care system has profoundly suffered as problems like corruption, lack of adequate resources, systemic malpractice, suboptimal policy-making, and Kenya’s ever-increasing poverty rates, amongst other severe issues, pervade Kenya’s fragile health care sector. The current climate crisis has also ignited further issues regarding Kenya’s health care system, as the rate of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) has drastically increased in recent years. Here are four diseases impacting Kenya.

Malaria

In 2022, Kenya reported around 5 million cases of malaria, with more than 12,000 Kenyans dying as a result of the outbreak. Lack of rainfall and high temperatures have exacerbated the already dire risk of Malaria contamination, as Kenya’s lack of rainfall has created environmental conditions that are highly conducive to Malaria exposure.

Extreme changes in Kenya’s weather patterns have attracted a breed of mosquito, Anopheles Stephensi, which serves as an avid transmitter of malaria. Studies have concluded that the resurgence of the Anopheles Stephensi population in Kenya could potentially expose around 126 million Kenyans to Malaria.

HIV/AIDS

Kenya currently has the seventh largest percentage of people infected with AIDS/HIV globally. Due to the erroneous distribution of health care facilities across Kenya, faulty educational policies and cultural/systemic gender norms, AIDS/HIV reigns as one of the leading causes of death in Kenya. The HIV/AIDS epidemic disproportionately affects women, especially young women (15-24), as women and young girls make up two-thirds of the current percentage of Kenyans living with AIDS/HIV. The current U.S. foreign aid freeze has only exacerbated this issue, as foreign aid has historically accounted for 40% of Kenya’s HIV/AID preventative resource supply.

Cholera

Kenya has historically been a hotspot for frequent Cholera outbreaks and has continued to affect the Kenyan population due to poor sanitation infrastructure and lack of access to clean water. Heavily populated areas like refugee camps, informal settlements, and other highly populated and poorly regulated areas have especially served as hotspots for Cholera contamination.

While efforts like nationwide vaccine distribution, an increase in research towards Cholera prevention/preparedness, and an increase in policy highlighting health care reform in Kenya have helped mitigate outbreaks in recent years, Kenya has had a Cholera outbreak almost every single year since its first outbreak in 1971.

Tuberculosis

In 2016, Tuberculosis was the fourth-leading cause of death in Kenya, and the reported cases of TB contamination have increased sixfold in the last 15 years.  The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated these rates, as the percentage of Kenyans who contracted Tuberculosis increased from 49% in 2019 to 61% in 2020. While the spike in Tuberculosis rates has since decreased as the turbulence of the pandemic has decreased, the 2020 Tuberculosis outbreak represents the severe fragility of Kenyan’s health care sector, as statistics have repeatedly shown that the slightest economic, political, health care, or societal issue can seriously exacerbate an already extremely vulnerable healthcare system.

The Future

Though many issues continue to fray the fabric of the health care sector in Kenya, there is hope for the welfare of Kenyan citizens. In 2024, President William Ruto implemented the Social Health Insurance Fund, mandating health care coverage for citizens nationwide.

NGOs like UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) continue to implement immunization programs to reduce diseases impacting Kenya.  Though much work is still necessary when it comes to health care reform in Kenya, the shift in political attention towards healthcare reform, coupled with the persistence of NGO efforts to supply Kenya with the proper resources to combat disease outbreaks, establish that hope for the improvement of Kenya’s fractured healthcare system remains steadfast.

– Ava Lachini

Ava is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Flipflopi Project: Women Recycling Programs in Kenya

FlipflopiWomen’s recycling programs in Kenya are turning plastic waste into economic opportunity. Women like Lorna Rutto and Nzambi Matee are transforming plastic garbage into economic strength. Rutto, the founder of EcoPost, has repurposed more than 13 million kilograms of plastic into resilient fence posts, generating at least 300 employment opportunities, mostly for women in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Simultaneously, Matee, an engineer and the creator of Gjenge Makers, transforms plastic into colorful pavement bricks that, according to reports, are five times stronger than concrete, processing up to 25 metric tons of garbage weekly.

In Kenya, initiatives such as EcoPost and Gjenge Makers demonstrate how recycling serves as a mechanism for economic development, particularly for women. These projects provide more than employment; they cultivate technical skills, foster leadership and empower women to become environmental stewards and entrepreneurs. In a nation that produces more than 22,000 tons of garbage each day, these women-led initiatives are facilitating community sanitation while directly confronting gendered poverty.

Recycling as a Path to Economic Empowerment

In Kenya’s expanding green economy, recycling goes beyond simple street cleanliness; it is fundamentally about generating livelihoods, especially for women in marginalized communities. TakaTaka Solutions, a trash management and recycling company located in Nairobi, employs women in sorting facilities, where they get training to segregate plastics, metals and biological materials for resale. As of 2023, TakaTaka processed up to 95% of collected garbage and created hundreds of formal employment opportunities, mostly for women who were previously engaged in informal labor or were unemployed.

Some initiatives further integrate recycling with entrepreneurship. In Kibera, Nairobi’s biggest informal settlement, the Human Needs Project runs a Women’s Empowerment Center that trains women in trash management, recycled craft production and microenterprise business planning. These projects provide both money and access to computer literacy, accounting and leadership training; skills often inaccessible to women in underprivileged regions.

The Human Needs Project, in collaboration with Mr. Green Africa, has implemented a PET-plastic collecting “cage” system that allows residents, particularly women, to recycle bottles in return for points that can be exchanged for water, sanitation and skills training. Peter Muthaura, the Director of Training and Strategic Partnerships for the initiative, explains:

“This innovative approach incentivizes responsible waste management, promotes a cleaner environment and fosters economic empowerment in the community.” Women’s recycling programs in Kenya are redefining economic roles for women by formalizing waste collection work and offering technical and entrepreneurial training. A formerly inconspicuous, low-prestige occupation has suddenly become a pathway to enhanced autonomy and influence.

From Margins to Leadership

Women in Kenya’s recycling industry are not just generating income; they are assuming leadership positions, transforming community perceptions about garbage and gender roles. The Flipflopi Project in Coastal Kenya, a circular economy program that constructs boats and household products from recycled plastic, has emerged as a platform for empowering women as craftsmen, educators and environmental champions.

The initiative developed a plastic recovery and training center in Lamu County, targeting 60% of the archipelago’s population and provides vocational programs in plastic processing, upcycling, traditional boatbuilding and storytelling skills for women. In its 2019–2021 expeditions, women craftsmen had a significant role in both constructing the boat and facilitating workshops, addressing students and interacting with county authorities.

As Flipflopi co-founder Dipesh Pabari explains: “A multi-colored boat made of flip flops is a conversation starter, no matter who you are.” Women affiliated with Flipflopi are transforming norms by doing outreach events with politicians and media, therefore establishing themselves as prominent advocates in environmental and community development. 

Why Recycling Solutions in Kenya Work

The success of Kenya’s recycling projects is attributed not just to innovation but also to the ecosystem, including legislation, community ownership and cultural preparedness for change. Collectively, these elements foster an atmosphere in which women are not only included but essential to the development of the green economy.

  • Progressive Environmental Policies. Kenya has shown political commitment to garbage management. The 2017 national plastic bag ban was among the most extensive globally and its implementation established a foundation for enhanced recycling systems. The 2021 Sustainable Waste Management Act officially acknowledged the contributions of community-based waste pickers and required the incorporation of women and youth in county-level waste management plans.
  • Decentralized, Community-Driven Models. In contrast to many centralized systems, Kenya’s recycling infrastructure flourishes via local cooperatives and public-private partnerships, mostly managed or maintained by women. This decentralized approach guarantees that solutions are customized to local requirements, whether in urban informal settlements or coastal fishing communities. Flipflopi, for example, depends on local beach-cleaning organizations, mostly led by women, to gather plastic for its community boat-building workshops. M-taka in Kisumu exemplifies the use of technology, social incentives and organized training to educate 1,140 women, train 75 as recycling agents and process more than 103 tons of recyclables, facilitated by community-based buy-back shops and a mobile application.
  • Integration with Broader Development Goals. These projects extend beyond recycling; they connect waste management solutions to training, financial empowerment and health education. Companies such as M-taka integrate waste collection initiatives with teaching on responsible waste management and economic skills for women, using digital platforms. A UNDP-supported NAMA research outlines that Kenya’s circular economy program has the potential to generate 1,600 jobs, enhance health and promote income fairness, particularly favoring women in the waste industry.

Scaling the Model

As Kenya’s recycling industry expands, the current issue is to scale effective models while preserving their community-oriented and gender-inclusive foundations. Organizations, politicians and funders are increasingly prioritizing replication, extending validated projects to new counties, farther into informal settlements and allied industries like construction, agriculture and energy.

  • Geographic Expansion: M-taka’s Regional Rollout. M-taka, first tested in Kisumu, intends to duplicate its effectiveness across Western Kenya through new satellite centers and collaborations with both government and private stakeholders. It has obtained backing from climate technology investors to implement satellite gathering sites and integrate a mobile application in additional counties in 2025.
  • Community Replication: Flipflopi’s Open-Source Toolkit. The Flipflopi Project has progressed beyond the construction of the world’s first recyclable plastic dhow. Through its Lamu-based Design and Training Centre, it currently instructs boat and furniture fabrication using community-sourced plastic.
  • Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing Based on East African Campaigns. The Flipflopi Lake Victoria campaign, including a recycled plastic dhow that navigated Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, highlighted transboundary plastic issues and stimulated regional collaboration. The campaign included community clean-ups and policy discussions in each nation, facilitating a collective vision for East African action on plastic. The women’s recycling programs in Kenya are currently transitioning into a scaling phase, characterized by technology-driven geographic expansion, open-source replication resources and regional advocacy collaborations. These initiatives aim to eliminate plastic waste while disseminating a proven, women-centric circular economy model across East Africa.

Looking Ahead: From Plastic to Power

What started as grassroots initiatives to clean up Kenya’s streets, beaches and rivers has evolved into a robust paradigm of economic empowerment, environmental stewardship and gender fairness. In urban areas and coastal communities, women are transcending the periphery of informal trash labor; they are constructing boats, managing businesses, educating future leaders and influencing the grassroots perspective of sustainability. 

As initiatives like M-taka and Flipflopi expand their operations and distribute their frameworks, Kenya’s recycling movement is transitioning from a localized success to a regional model for inclusive green development. The message is clear: with appropriate assistance and foresight, waste is not only an issue to address, but it also serves as a foundation to build on.

– Ray Bechara

Ray is based in Glasgow, Scotland and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Recognizing Women’s Unpaid Labor: A Growing Global Priority

Women’s Unpaid LaborEvery day, women and girls worldwide perform 12.5 billion hours of unpaid labor, accounting for more than three-quarters of all unpaid care work globally. Women’s unpaid labor is vital in supporting and strengthening families, communities and society. However, a commitment to care responsibilities prevents female economic participation.

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), these duties keep 708 million women out of the labor market. Recognizing, valuing and supporting women’s unpaid labor by integrating care duties into policy and infrastructure creates greater access to women’s education, employment and leisure.

The Impact of Women’s Unpaid Labor

The effects of unpaid care work are especially pronounced for women in impoverished areas. In low-income countries, women in rural areas spend up to 14 hours daily on unpaid domestic duties. Among women aged 25 to 54, 379 million cite care responsibilities as why they are not part of the workforce. Those with lower levels of education and those living in rural areas face some of the highest barriers to economic participation.

This makes including care and investment in support systems critical to reducing poverty and advancing gender equality. However, countries worldwide are beginning to acknowledge the value of unpaid care work and taking steps to redistribute domestic responsibilities across public and private sectors.

Making Care Visible: Mexico

Increasing the visibility of women’s unpaid labor through empirical evidence is essential to recognizing its importance. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), unpaid domestic work accounts for 26.3% of Mexico’s gross domestic product (GDP). To help bring this issue to the forefront, U.N. Women has played a key role in generating and promoting access to data on care work. The economic value of women’s unpaid labor is now visible through tools like Supported Time Surveys and Satellite Account.

In partnership with institutions like El Colegio de Mexico and the National Institute for Women, U.N. Women launched the Care Map, a tool more than 21,000 people used to access information on care services. Its support for local governments also led to evidence-based strategies for establishing care districts, which can now be adopted in other states. Building on these national efforts, U.N. Women Mexico joined the Government of Mexico to create the Global Alliance for Care. The platform has more than 300 members, placing care at the center of public policy.

Creating a quality care system in Mexico is important in recognizing the value of unpaid domestic duties. Barriers preventing women’s economic participation can be overcome by reducing the burden of unpaid labor and treating care as essential infrastructure.

Addressing Time Poverty: Peru

Women in Peru average nearly 40 hours a week on commitments to unpaid labor, which accounts for 52% of their total work time. The physical and emotional burden of care work leaves many women in Peru time-poor, limiting their educational opportunities, political participation and professional advancement. Findings from the 2023-2024 Young Lives Surveys reveal that women and girls are less likely to be employed than their male counterparts, spending more daily hours on unpaid care work.

However, Peru has taken significant measures to lessen the demanding domestic duties placed on women. The Transforming Care Economies project, led by U.N. Women and funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development, has advanced opportunities for caregivers. Since its launch in 2023, more than 350 caregivers have enhanced their basic and personal care skills, improving the quality of support given to those in need.

Alongside this, 70 public officials have received training in care policies and 16 civil society organizations are actively supporting local care facilities. These achievements lay the groundwork for securing the right to quality care and improving caregivers’ lives locally, paving the way for broader institutional recognition and support. By addressing time poverty through improved care systems, Peru actively supports women’s empowerment and greater access to education, employment and participation in public life.

Transforming Women’s Work: Kenya

Oxfam’s 2019 Household Care Survey shows that women in Kenya spend an estimated five hours daily on care work, while men spend just one. The COVID-19 pandemic deepened this disparity, pushing many women out of paid employment as they took on increased caregiving responsibilities due to school closures, the shift to remote learning and the shutdown of child care services.

Access to quality child care reduces the burden of unpaid care work on women. Yet, services remain expensive for low-income families and are often limited to urban areas. This lack of access forces many mothers out of the workforce, especially in rural communities.

Kidogo, a Kenyan nonprofit founded in 2014, works to expand affordable, high-quality child care in low-income areas. Supporting working mothers in informal settlements improves their chances of securing better employment. Kenya’s largest child care provider, Kidogo, serves more than 9,500 children aged less than 5, consistently exceeding development milestones and performing well in primary school. The organization has also influenced key policy reforms, including the Nairobi City County Child Care Facilities Act (2017) and the County Early Childhood Education Bill (2018).

By recognizing and addressing the unequal distribution of care, Kenya can promote professional and personal growth for women.

Looking Ahead

Valuing and supporting unpaid care work is key to reducing poverty and advancing gender equality. Creating access to quality care systems allows women to gain time and opportunities for education, work and leadership. Investing in care as essential infrastructure empowers women, strengthens communities and builds a more just and inclusive economy.

– Beatrice Punt

Beatrice is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Modernizing Agriculture in Kenya: Technology and Tools

Agriculture in KenyaKenya, a country in East Africa with a population exceeding 50 million, relies heavily on its agriculture sector for economic stability. The agriculture sector in Kenya employs more than 70% of rural citizens. It is responsible for 33% of the country’s GDP, with an additional 27% through connections with other sectors.

While Kenya remains heavily reliant on its farmland, the population is growing rapidly. It is predicted to hit 81 million by 2039. The increasing population has caused farmers to relocate to make room for new residents. As a result, many farmers have moved to less ideal farmland, facing various climate challenges.

Challenges Facing Kenya’s Agriculture Sector

Most regions within Kenya are arid, with 80% of the country’s climate ranging between arid and semi-arid. The nation has been experiencing intense droughts followed by torrential rain for nearly a decade. This has caused a strain on many rural farming communities, as 95% of their crops rely on rainfall for adequate production. In March 2025, an estimated 2.2 million Kenyans experienced food insecurity, while more recent predictions in June 2025 approximate the number to be closer to 2.8 million.

Due to the rising population and food insecurity rates, integrating technology tools and new scientific developments for agriculture in Kenya can be key to ensuring an adequate food supply. This could benefit those in Kenya and other countries plagued by food insecurity. Agricultural technology in Kenya involves a wide array of approaches, ranging from digital services to climate-smart farming techniques advanced by science. These tools address many common agricultural concerns in Kenya, including climate-related struggles, product yields and overall knowledge of farmland and crops.

Digital Services and Platforms

In partnership with the World Bank, Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture implemented the Kenya Climate-Smart Agriculture Project and the National Agriculture & Rural Inclusive Growth Project. These gave Kenyan farmers access to various online support services in hopes of increasing production and profit. In addition, the collaboration led to the development of the Big Data Platform and the Kenya Agricultural Observatory Platform (KAOP). The Ministry also introduced the One Million Farmer Platform, which fostered collaboration between 24 AgTech startups and 27 county governments, connecting 1.1 million farmers.

The platforms have been vital in sharing high-resolution geospatial data with farmers and employees within the agriculture sector. These tools work by assessing specific coordinates to a location and delivering information about the geography, which has helped optimize land usage. The online services also provide advice to farmers tailored to their specific needs, such as seed and fertilizer suggestions. In addition to geographic data, the KAOP is notable for its weather forecast accuracy. The platform uses satellite-based information and shares weather advisories and patterns with the public via online messaging. This has allowed farmers to better prepare their farmland for inconstant weather events like heavy rain.

A popular app in Kenya tailored to smallholder farmers is iCow. The service works by utilizing SMS to better inform farmers on how to care for livestock, for example, providing information on disease management. In addition to SMS, iCow provides search engines to help farmers find experts nearby and also shares an online database full of information ranging from crops and soils to climate instability. Currently, 1.6 million individuals in Kenya utilize iCow and the service has sent more than 110 million messages to farmers.

Climate-Smart Farming

The joint effort between scientists at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT introduced a new bean for farmers in Kenya. Nyota beans are genetically modified to thrive in droughts and grow within shorter periods. Farmers who have grown Nyota beans have reported increased crop yields and profits. In Kenya, the bean consumption rate outweighs the bean production rate by 155,000 metric tons. However, the Nyota bean could decrease the deficit in the coming years.

New developments have allowed scientists to detect nutrient, water and carbon levels throughout Kenya to determine the most efficient technique for planting and growing crops in a certain area. They also observe the best soil and watering techniques in regions with frequent drought and water scarcity. Scientists share the information with farmers through hundreds of “farmer field schools” administered by KALRO. The farmers who used the farming techniques reported a crop yield increase of 20% and a 20% decrease in fertilizer use.

Conclusion

With shifting climate patterns and a growing population facing food insecurity, Kenya’s agricultural sector faces mounting pressure. In response, integrating modern technologies has become a significant step forward. From digital platforms that deliver localized weather forecasts and farming guidance to climate-smart innovations, modern technologies are addressing many of the top concerns of individuals living in Kenya. The success of these initiatives emphasizes the growing potential of agriculture technology and sustained investment and collaboration are crucial to expanding these accomplishments.

– Grace Johnson

Grace is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Freepik

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Empowering Refugees in Kenya Amid Poverty

Empowering Refugees in KenyaKenya has launched several groundbreaking initiatives to empower refugees in Kenya and reduce long-term poverty and dependency. As of 2025, according to the Operational Data Portal, the total number of refugees and asylum-seekers in Kenya is 854,876, with the majority coming from Somalia (54%).

According to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, economic constraints, bureaucracy, little refugee engagement and little infrastructure hinder the improvement of empowering refugees in Kenya. However, despite struggles, initiatives have continued to progress.

Transforming Camps Into Municipalities

In March 2025, according to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, President William Ruto unveiled the ambitious “Shirika Plan.” This signals a paradigm shift in empowering refugees in Kenya. Inspired by the Swahili word for “cooperation,” this 11-year initiative aims to integrate refugee camps into formal municipalities, notably Kakuma and Dadaab.

With more than 830,000 refugees across Kakuma, Dadaab and urban zones, the plan’s initiative marks a historic step toward sustainable, development-led inclusion. According to the Ministry of Interior and the National Administration, some of the key components include:

  • Ensuring refugees access national services such as education, health care and financial systems alongside Kenyans.
  • Issuing the Kenya Education Management Information System school registration and the Social Health Insurance Fund enrollment.
  • Streamlined service delivery under the Turkana and Garissa county administrations.
  • A projected budget of around $943 million, overseen by a multi-agency steering committee.

Microloans for Refugees and Hosts

In February of 2024, Equity Bank, with backing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), launched a $20 million risk-sharing facility. According to Equity Group Holdings, this is aimed at expanding unsecured microloans to refugees and host-community entrepreneurs across 14 counties, all empowering refugees in Kenya. This marks the world’s first such dedicated facility for forcibly displaced individuals.

Some of the major highlights of the facility, according to Equity Group Holdings, include:

  • Covering 50% of the risk exposure.
  • Financial literacy and agribusiness capacity-building delivered via Equity Group Foundation.
  • Projecting 25 million new jobs to empower refugees in Kenya by 2030.

Equity Group CEO James Mwangi underlined the initiative’s goal of transforming lives, dignifying refugees and fostering wealth creation.

Scaling Refugee Entrepreneurship

Rwanda-founded social enterprise Inkomoko has played a transformative role in supporting refugee and host-community entrepreneurs in Kenya. According to the organization, its support model has:

  • Served more than 12,00 clients and deployed more than $6 million in capital.
  • Helped create more than 2,500 jobs.
  • Supports more than 4,000 entrepreneurs annually, delivering business advisory, training and low-interest loans.

Examples illustrate the real impact, such as tailor Adele Mubalama, who grew her Kakuma-based business to employ 26 people and earn approximately $8,300. Similarly, according to Finance Commerce, former Ethiopian soldier Mesfin Getahun expanded his “Jesus is Lord” retail chain using a $115,00 loan from Inkomoko.

“We find that refugee business owners actually have the characteristics that make world-class entrepreneurs,” Inkomoko runner Julienne Oyler said, reporting on Finance Commerce.

Digital and Leadership Empowerment via Amahoro Coalition

Founded by Isaac Kwaku Foku, the Amahoro Coalition champions digital inclusion and leadership among refugees. Some highlights, according to the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), include:

  • 2022 partnership with Kenya’s Aijira Digital Program to enable Kakuma and Dadaab residents to work online, delivering business solutions to Kenyan companies via digital platforms.
  • Offering digital training free of charge to help transition to online jobs.

Mandating the country a “digital freelancing hub” supporting youth in accessing jobs online. Additionally, in June 2024, Amahoro launched a 12-month mentorship program for women with lived displacement experience within the Amahoro Fellowship. Amahoro is moving refugees beyond humanitarian aid toward genuine economic participation and leadership by merging digital capacity-building, mentorship and private-sector engagement.

Rights, Resources and the Road Ahead

While these strides signal hope, key challenges remain. Refugees still lack full freedom of movement and citizenship rights, limiting mobility and economic opportunity. Camp schools run at 300% capacity and water sanitation infrastructure remains inadequate.

Observers warn that prioritizing livelihoods over rights could jeopardize long-term inclusion. Broader legal protections and clear citizenship pathways are still urgently needed. 

– Clarissa Dean

Clarissa is based in Bowling Green, KY, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Ways M-TIBA Kenya Transforms Health Care

5 Ways M-TIBA Kenya Transforms Health Care for Low-Income Communities In Kenya, high out-of-pocket costs and limited insurance coverage continue to make health care unaffordable for millions. But a mobile platform called M-TIBA is changing that by helping users save, manage and spend health funds directly from their phones. Through partnerships with government programs, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and local providers, M-TIBA Kenya has become a model for digital health financing in lower-income settings. 

5 Ways M-TIBA Kenya Transforms Health Care

  1. Mobile Health Wallet for Everyday Use. The development of M-TIBA happened through a partnership between Safaricom, CarePay and the PharmAccess Foundation. It functions as a mobile health wallet, allowing users to save funds specifically for medical expenses. Accessible through even basic mobile phones, the platform helps individuals make payments at nearly 5,000 health care providers, hospitals and pharmacies across Kenya. Users can receive funds from relatives, employers or NGOs and use them to pay for consultations, tests, prescriptions or treatment. The wallet ensures transparency and prevents misuse by restricting the funds for health care only.
  2. Widening Reach Through Public Programs. The Kenyan government and the National Health Insurance Fund have integrated M-TIBA into local health initiatives. In Kisumu County, a pilot program helped more than 270,000 households enroll in community-based health coverage, providing access to maternal care, immunizations and chronic disease management. By digitizing enrollment and payment systems, the platform improves efficiency and reduces paperwork for both patients and clinics. These programs often include subsidies deposited directly into M-TIBA wallets, removing financial barriers to care.
  3. Community Support from NGOs. Organizations like Amref Health Africa have played a critical role in making M-TIBA accessible to underserved populations. Amref supports the initiative by training community health workers to teach families how to use the platform. They also run awareness campaigns to promote health savings and encourage regular medical visits. In areas where digital literacy is low, NGOs have helped distribute phones to trained volunteers, who assist residents with registration, deposits and navigation of health services.
  4. Faster Claims and Transparent Spending. In 2024 and early 2025, M‑TIBA introduced AI-driven processes for claims review and approvals. As of April 2024, the system began auto-processing 40% of claims, cutting approval times to less than 12 hours. By September 2024, approval times dropped by 95% due to automation and real-time analytics. As of February 2025, industry leaders gathered at the Digital Pulse CEO Roundtable in Nairobi acknowledged that AI integration shortened payment cycles by up to 95% and reduced health care costs by as much as 15%.
  5. Building Toward Universal Health Coverage. With more than 4.8 million users, M-TIBA has become a key part of Kenya’s progress toward universal health care. While challenges remain—especially in remote areas lacking mobile coverage or financial access—the platform continues to expand. 

Looking Ahead

M-TIBA Kenya demonstrates how mobile technology, when supported by government and nonprofit partners, can bridge gaps in health access. Furthermore, it can empower individuals to manage their own care. The continued rollout of AI, combined with strong public‑private‑community partnerships, positions M‑TIBA as a key player in Kenya’s push for universal health coverage. The scaling of digital health wallets offers a replicable model for other lower‑income countries seeking to close care gaps and empower individuals to manage their health funds effectively.

– Hayden Chedid

Hayden is based in Parker, CO, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Entrepreneurship in Kenya: Fueling Innovation Growth

Entrepreneurship in KenyaEntrepreneurship in Kenya is driving a wave of innovation, from mobile money and agritech to clean energy, that’s reshaping livelihoods and combating poverty. In this overview of Entrepreneurship in Kenya, discover the key accelerators, standout success stories, sectoral trends and the real-world impact fueling economic growth.

The Hubs and Accelerators Powering New Ventures

Kenya’s startup ecosystem is underpinned by a network of accelerators and coworking hubs that support founders. Facilities like iHub have nurtured more than 450 alum ventures and connected more than 40,000 collaborators through mentorship programs, hackathons and investor showcases. Similarly, Nairobi Garage offers flexible workspaces, regular pitch events and introductions to local and international investors. These institutions foster collaboration, facilitate access to early-stage capital and help entrepreneurs refine their business models before scaling.

Success Stories: Kenyan Startups Changing the Game

Twiga Foods, founded in 2014, exemplifies rapid growth from a local startup to a regional powerhouse. The company links 13,000 smallholder farmers to more than 5,000 urban retailers by integrating a mobile ordering platform with M-Pesa payments. After securing a $10 million Series A round in 2017 and $30 million in 2019, Twiga closed a $50 million Series C in 2021, making it a leading player in Africa’s agri-tech ecosystem.

In contrast, Chpter, established in 2022, illustrates the promise of early-stage ventures. Its AI-powered conversational commerce chatbot is deployed on WhatsApp and Instagram. In September 2024, it secured $1.2 million in pre-seed funding to expand across Kenya and South Africa. These examples highlight the spectrum of success, from large-scale impact to nascent innovation.

The Real Challenges Kenyan Founders Face

Despite notable achievements, Kenyan entrepreneurs encounter persistent challenges. Early-stage funding remains scarce, with only about 5% of seed-funded startups advancing to a Series A round. Regulatory shifts, ranging from changes in company registration requirements to fluctuating tax policies, can delay product launches and inflate compliance costs. Moreover, infrastructural gaps, particularly in rural regions, hinder reliable logistics and market access, forcing many ventures to develop costly workarounds or partner with third-party distributors.

Sector Spotlight: Where Kenya’s Startups Are Betting Big

The sectoral landscape of Kenyan startups has diversified significantly. Historically, Fintech is the largest recipient of venture capital and accounts for roughly 13% of total funding, with mobile payment solutions and digital credit platforms driving initial growth. Cleantech has soared to represent 46% of equity investments, propelled by solar-irrigation firms such as SunCulture ($27.5 million raised) and electric mobility operators. Additionally, agritech continues to attract attention, making up 15% of funding; supply-chain management and crop monitoring innovations respond directly to agriculture’s role as the backbone of Kenya’s economy.

Beyond Borders: How Kenyan Startups Go Global

Kenyan startups are increasingly eyeing regional and global markets. Twiga Foods has extended its distribution model to neighboring countries, leveraging digital infrastructure and cross-border partnerships to scale rapidly. Similarly, fintech companies often integrate with payment networks across East Africa to serve the diaspora and streamline remittances. Programs like the World Bank–supported Startup Savanna initiative connect local entrepreneurs to international mentors and investors, facilitating market entry and regulatory navigation beyond Kenya’s borders.

Turning Innovation Into Impact: Startups Fighting Poverty

Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in Kenya’s fight against extreme poverty. The Youth Enterprise Development Fund provides affordable loans, training and market linkages to entrepreneurs aged 18–34, underpinned by Kenya Vision 2030. In parallel, a forthcoming Startup Act promises tax incentives and streamlined business registration to lower barriers to new ventures. By generating employment, fostering financial inclusion through digital platforms and improving agricultural livelihoods, startups contribute directly to poverty alleviation and community resilience. Furthermore, the combination of public-sector support and private-sector innovation underscores how homegrown enterprises drive sustainable socioeconomic change across Kenya.

Industry’s Proven Path vs. Startup Spark

Industrialization has been a cornerstone of poverty reduction and job creation in Kenya for decades. Manufacturing contributed 7.6% of GDP and generated more than 350,000 direct jobs in 2022. This underscores how factories and export‐oriented clusters have lifted communities from poverty through reliable employment. Under Vision 2030 and its “Big Four” agenda, the government aims to raise manufacturing’s share to 20% by 2030, bolstered by new industrial parks and streamlined tax incentives.

While industrial parks offer mass employment and proven supply chains, start-ups shine in agility and innovation. However, the real challenge and opportunity is blending these models. By channeling the entrepreneurial energy of small ventures into scalable manufacturing and service hubs, entrepreneurship in Kenya could honor the time-tested path of industrialization and unlock new frontiers in sustainable poverty alleviation.

– Alexander Broermann

Alexander is based in Frankfurt, Germany and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Breakthroughs in the Battle Against Cancer in Rwanda and Kenya

Cancer BreakthroughsOne of the most concerning diseases, cancer,  has become one of the recent breakthroughs for Africa, a continent that has been battling cervical and breast cancer for years. In 2020, more than a million cancer cases were reported and considered a leading cause of death in Africa.  Rwanda and Kenya, particularly, have had some recent wins in cancer research, treatment and preventative measures.

Rwanda

Early this year, the imPACT review team positively assessed the preventative measures Rwanda has made, such as restricting tobacco use and pushing HPV vaccines. The World Health Organization (WHO), International Agency for Research on Cancer and International Atomic Energy Agency conduct imPACT reviews and their recommendations included “urging Rwanda to increase domestic public/private investment in health and stressing the importance of incorporating cancer control in other health programmes to increase access to services and referrals.” Having this special focus in healthcare schooling will have a lasting effect on cancer treatment.

A few years back, the Rays of Hope program launched, involved in partnerships like constructing more radiotherapy centers, coinciding with the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). The promotion and advocacy of health will create lasting effects on future cancer breakthroughs.

Rwanda’s National Cancer Control Plan (2025-2029), including early detection, is more available. Many survivors like Edmund Kagire can attest to the recent developments made by the Plan, praising new cancer treatment centers: Rwanda Cancer Center, King Faisal Hospital, Kanombe Military Hospital and Butaro Hospital. Furthermore, in an interview with Rwandan student-run journal (ICK), Kagire mentions the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, raising awareness on the amazing treatments promoted and provided.

He further mentions the Ministry of Health’s 2027 goal to greatly reduce cervical cancer diagnoses and deaths, which have spread among nearly 900 women in just a single year. The Rwandan government considers this a pressing issue and has taken steps to act early, treating girls for HPV, lowering future rates.

Kenya

Courtesy of the Ministry of Health and Roche East Africa, patients will have financial protection with access to diagnostics and treatment as well as specialized training for healthcare workers in breast and cervical cancer management. As part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Memorandum of Understanding agreement helps patients save costs by cutting co-pay and bringing exceptional care to the masses.

Last year, the Cancer Care Africa program launched advanced treatment for more people in Kenya, especially in breast cancer, according to AstraZeneca. As part of 2030 actionables, the program strives to foster 100 oncology facilities and healthcare professionals, modernize screenings, educate patients to take control of their experience, innovate medicine and produce concrete research data.

In May 2025, the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) paid a visit to the National Cancer Institute of Kenya to assess the legitimacy and ensure rapid progress.

Looking Forward

Africa has come a long way in fighting against cancer. With new government investment, medical technologies and human resources, countries can improve control over this disease. Both nations, Kenya and Rwanda, have a motivation to see a future without cancer-stricken health problems. To witness any near-cancer breakthroughs, the society will put its foot forward in educating and continue building on health resources for its people.

– Melody Aminian

Melody is based in Irvine, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr