Tag Archive for: Poverty in Kenya

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Bridging Gaps: Education In Kenya

Education Initiatives Bridging Gaps in KenyaKenya has one of the youngest populations in the world, with nearly 40% of its citizens under the age of 15. This youthful demographic presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in education. While the country boasts an 83% literacy rate, rural and marginalized communities face significant barriers to accessing quality education. However, organizations like Just Be a Child, the Teso Education Fund (TEF) and CHinK are working to bridge this gap, transforming Kenya’s educational landscape through community-driven initiatives.

Just Be a Child: Libraries and Learning Centers

Since its founding in 2013, Just Be a Child (JBAC) has re-homed nearly 500,000 books from the United Kingdom (U.K.), giving more than 2 million children the opportunity to read. The organization has constructed eight shipping container libraries, which serve as community-led learning centers. These libraries, operated by volunteers, provide free access to books and foster peer-to-peer learning through programs like arts and crafts sessions and Yong Writer Competitions. The impact has been transformative. Children using these libraries have shown significant improvements in school performance, better retention rates and an increased likelihood of qualifying for university. JBAC has also empowered more than 300 volunteers, with 10 starting their businesses, demonstrating how education initiatives in Kenya can spark economic development.

CHinK: Holistic Support for Marginalized Children

Founded in 2007, Children in Kenya (CHinK) provides comprehensive support for 206 children at its CHinK Academy. For £20 a month, sponsors help provide children with essentials such as two meals a day, school supplies, uniforms and medical care. The organization also emphasizes extracurricular activities, such as field trips and graduation ceremonies, to create a well-rounded educational experience. This nurturing environment has helped children from extremely poor backgrounds stay in school and achieve academic success, breaking cycles of poverty in their families.

The Teso Education Fund: A Beacon of Hope

The Teso Education Fund (TEF) focuses on empowering underprivileged children in Kenya’s Teso region. By providing scholarships, school supplies and mentorship programs, TEF helps students from low-income families stay in school and access quality education. Beyond financial aid, the fund’s mentorship programs instill confidence and leadership skills, inspiring students to dream big and contribute to their communities. This initiative has a ripple effect, uplifting not just individual students but entire families and fostering long-term development in the region.

A Brighter Future Through Education

These organizations—JBAC, CHinK and the TEF demonstrate how community-driven education initiatives in Kenya can tackle systemic barriers to education. Indeed, by combining accessible resources, mentorship and holistic care, they are not only improving literacy rates but also creating pathways for personal and community development. Kenya’s youth represent a vast reservoir of potential. With continued support from these organizations, young Kenyans can potentially grow into the leaders and innovators their country needs. Expanding access to education is not just an investment in individuals—it’s a step toward a more equitable and prosperous future for Kenya.

– Mmanoko Faith Molobetsi

Mmanoko is based in Pretoria, South Africa and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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AI Innovations Improve Health care in Kenya

Health care in Kenya Kenya is currently experiencing a boom in medical AI innovations. From the minds of hardworking scientists and medical groups, sprouts one solution to a modern health care crisis. Efficient and effective health care in Kenya is limited. The industry is in need of additional medical professionals and general resources.

Additionally, the amount of health care providers in Kenya is extremely disproportionate to its population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Kenya employs approximately 2.9 medical doctors per 10,000 residents (compared to 30 or more in most developed countries).

This leads to an especially prominent gap in health care in rural areas of Kenya, where resources are most scarce. In recent years, health providers have utilized AI to analyze output from imaging machines and prescribe possible treatments.

Innovation in Medical Imaging: NeuralSight

Neural Labs Africa, based in Kenya, has developed NeuralSight to aid in medical diagnosis. The team aims to provide earlier diagnoses with their AI program. This technology could decrease the high rate of deaths from preventable diseases in Africa, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.

These diseases particularly impact populations in rural and low-income areas that experience a lack of access to medical testing and treatment. AI technologies like NeuralSight additionally supplement health workers who are overwhelmed by their number of patients.

More efficient X-rays and MRI analysis will also improve the detection of developmental disorders and medical conditions in children, leading to overall better quality of life in African populations.

NeuralSight has already found success in its clinical trials with shorter wait times for medical results. The organization shared their experience conducting clinical testing in a remote Kenyan village. “This moment solidified the importance and impact of our work. The key lesson was the realization of the vast potential of our tool in regions with limited medical resources,” Neural Labs told UNICEF.

Dr. Fredrick Mutisya’s Solution to Antimicrobial Resistance

In conjunction with medical testing, there is a need for accurate and effective prescriptions. Dr. Fredrick Mutisya is innovating antibiotic prescriptions through AI, which has the potential to reduce increasing antimicrobial resistance.

Dr. Mutisya studied antibiotic resistance by looking at Pfizer’s antibacterial surveillance data (2004-2021). He then developed Antimicro.ai with Dr Rachael Kanguha to assist healthcare providers in Kenya. The program detects possible antibiotic resistance and produces a preliminary prescription to be confirmed by a medical professional.

Antimicro.ai has determined that antibiotic resistance stretches as high as 50% based on data from over 850,000 samples from 83 countries, according to Gavi. Considering its projection that resistance could reach 80% by 2030, careful prescriptions are of paramount importance.

The AI program is open-access and doesn’t store user data. This sets the example for emerging AI technologies to remain ethical and equitable.

The Future of AI Programs for Health Care in Kenya

Still, additional data collection is on the horizon. Pfizer’s medical data is limited. According to Gavi, it is currently biased toward European and Central Asian populations, with sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia making up only 2% of observed populations.

More data is necessary to produce AI programs modeled on health care in Kenya and other African countries. Relying on European data models could lead to diagnostic errors.

The Bureau of Standards recently published a code of practice for AI Applications. The report likewise notes a concern with bias in data procurement.

AI programs for health care in Kenya are in the early stages of development. Yet, innovation is moving quickly. The Gates Foundation committed more than $1 million to Science for Africa (based in Nairobi, Kenya) to launch an RFP in 2023. The RFP encouraged African innovators to develop AI tools for health care. Among its many initiatives, Science for Africa (SFA) focuses on supporting AI developers in the medical field sector.

Kenya is an epicenter for developments in AI. Medical AI has already increased access to health services in remote and poverty-stricken areas of Kenya. With the right support and persistence, this will lead to greater well-being in the country and further innovation globally.

– Sarah Lang

Sarah is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Maasai Poverty and the Path to Prosperity

Maasai PovertyThe Maasai Tribe are semi-nomadic people who originally hail from South Sudan but have settled in Kenya and Tanzania in modern times. The tribe have strict customs regarding diet and food, which all center around their relationship with their cattle. To the Maasai people, the cattle they herd form the economy they operate, often depending on them to fulfill all their needs, from currency to trade with, to key ingredients in their diet. However, with an increase in land disputes, the courts often evicted the Maasai people from the land they used. High levels of food insecurity and poverty also affect Maasai people (especially women and children), due to its customs and traditions where men make “all the major decisions around food.” Restricted land use and the ban on growing crops further exacerbate this issue.

Multi-Dimensional Poverty

Multi-dimensional poverty is a serious issue within Africa, with 317 million children being multidimensionally poor in sub-Saharan Africa. This is especially evident in rural areas, where vulnerable groups like women and children do not have access to education, clean water or food. The Maasai people are no exception to these statistics, with cultural ideals stating that the males of the group should get the more nutritious food, leaving the women and children dealing with malnutrition as a result of the food insecurity, according to The Conversation.

This is just one aspect of poverty the Maasai people deal with, with 20% of people having access to safe water in Narok County (where the Maasai reserves are based). This rural area also needs clean sanitation levels with only 35% of people having access to clean sanitation.

These risks to the traditional way of life have forced the Maasai to turn to different ways to feed themselves. One instance following a drought earlier this year forced the tribe to begin fish farming as a way to feed themselves, a divergence considering the typical diet of a Maasai revolves mainly around cattle and the odd goat during hard periods. To help accustom the Maasai local governments, like Kajiado have gifted pond liners, fish fingerlings and food to help them become self-sufficient.

Maasai Poverty and Tourism

However, this is not the only new practice the Maasai have undertaken, with the tribe working with tourism groups as a way to increase its economy. This transition to modern currency, whilst diverging from their cultural practices, allows the tribe to increase its resources. Companies like Wayfairer have discussed how they operate on a level that helps Maasai poverty rates rather than exploit them. Wayfairer ensures that any money generated from the tourists goes directly to local development initiatives helping to support the Indigenous people.

The Maasai poverty rate threatens their traditional way of life, a threat commonly seen among Indigenous groups, another example is the San people. They are the oldest inhabitants of South Africa and are known for their connection and use of the land they inhabit, however, most of the San people live below the poverty line due to aspects of Indigenous poverty the Maasai also deal with, such issues as low resources, land disputes and social and cultural shifts.

Thankfully the Maasai people and the tourism surrounding them often has ethical options, for instance, companies reminding groups to treat them with respect, using Maasai guides and asking these guides what donation they recommend.

Organizations Helping Maasai People

There are also specific organizations to help support the Maasai, like the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which works to ensure the land protection of the Maasai, subsequently helping protect the animals and ecosystem that it supports. Not only does this help the planet and diversity of species in Kenya, but also the Maasai people who live off the land.

RedTribe helps tackle Maasai poverty and helps people adjust to modern life. The organization focuses on raising money for the community by selling traditional beadwork that women make, helping ensure access to clean water, and the Maasai clinic, which helps the 12,000 people in the community to stay healthy with treatments like vaccines and dental care. Whilst this company helps the Maasai integrate into contemporary life it is run by those from the tribe ensuring that the values and beliefs that were considered vital to the Maasai way of life are still honored, working for sustainability through empowering locals rather than aid.

This prioritizing of the tribe’s needs and values allows the tourists to support the Maasai in a way that doesn’t further threaten their cultural practices, helping the poverty rates as well as educating those who visit them.

– Caitlin Mulholland

Caitlin is based in Lymington, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Aid in Kenya: Reducing Malaria and Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

UK Aid in Kenya: Reducing Malaria and Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Kenya, a country on the rise in East Africa, has seen significant economic growth over the past decade, driven by political and economic reforms. Yet, despite these advances, two-thirds of its population still lives in poverty. This staggering level of poverty continues to hold back many communities, limiting access to basic services like health care, education and housing. The battle against malaria remains one of the greatest health challenges these communities face. This disease not only claims lives but also keeps many families trapped in the poverty cycle. United Kingdom (U.K.) Aid in Kenya, through the Global Fund, is helping to address this challenge, reducing the burden of malaria and, in turn, alleviating poverty.

Malaria and Poverty

Malaria is a leading cause of illness and death in Kenya, particularly in rural areas, where access to health care services is limited. Beyond the health toll, malaria places a significant economic burden on families. Frequent bouts of illness reduce household income, as adults are unable to work and children miss school. In communities where families live on less than $2.15 a day, these disruptions reinforce the poverty cycle. Health care costs, such as treatments and hospital visits, often result in further financial strain. However, U.K. Aid Kenya and local NGOs supported by the Global Fund are working to bring malaria under control.

With targeted interventions such as distributing insecticide-treated bed nets and providing access to treatment, malaria transmission can be significantly reduced. By lowering malaria prevalence, communities can improve productivity, reduce health care costs and increase educational opportunities—key factors in breaking the cycle of poverty.

UK Aid in Kenya: Supporting the Global Fund

Global Fund to Fight AIDS is one of the key international efforts in the fight against Tuberculosis and Malaria. The U.K. is one of the largest contributors to the Global Fund, having pledged £1 billion for 2024 to 2026, aimed at combating these diseases globally. In Kenya, the U.K.’s contributions play a crucial role in reducing malaria cases and breaking the cycle of poverty that often accompanies this disease. Through the Global Fund, U.K. aid supports local NGOs such as Amref Health Africa and Population Services Kenya (PS Kenya), which are pivotal in implementing malaria prevention programs.

These organizations distribute millions of insecticide-treated bed nets, provide life-saving treatments and lead educational campaigns to prevent the spread of malaria. With U.K. aid, these efforts have been scaled up in malaria-endemic areas of Kenya, improving both health and economic outcomes for affected communities.

Success Stories

  • Amref Health Africa. Amref Health Africa, one of the largest health development organizations in Kenya, has been at the forefront of fighting malaria in rural areas. Supported by U.K. Aid through the Global Fund, Amref has made significant strides in malaria prevention and treatment. Amref has trained more than 1,591 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and 8,500 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) across 10 malaria-endemic counties, enhancing early diagnosis and treatment of malaria at the household level. In Nandi and Kericho counties, an additional 165 CHEWs and 815 CHVs were trained specifically to improve malaria prevention among pregnant women. These interventions have contributed to significant improvements in malaria management and reduced the disease burden in high-risk areas​. 
  • Population Services Kenya (PS Kenya). PS Kenya, supported by U.K. Aid through the Global Fund, has played a critical role in providing life-saving malaria treatments, particularly in Busia County, a malaria-endemic region in western Kenya. Through community case management, PS Kenya has tested more than 401,000 suspected malaria cases and treated more than 319,700 people with effective treatments such as artemether-lumefantrine in the past year. With 51% of cases managed at the community level by trained Community Health Promoters (CHPs), this intervention has significantly improved access to timely treatment. By focusing on vulnerable populations and enhancing community-based health systems, PS Kenya’s efforts are helping to alleviate the financial strain on families and reduce the incidence of malaria, which in turn contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty in affected regions​.

Looking Forward

The U.K.’s aid support through the Global Fund has had a measurable impact on reducing malaria in Kenya. By funding local NGOs like Amref Health Africa and Population Services Kenya, U.K. aid is helping to reduce malaria transmission, lower health care costs and improve productivity in vulnerable communities. From 2010 to 2020, the prevalence of malaria in Kenya decreased by 49% nationwide, demonstrating the effectiveness and utmost importance of these interventions. Crucially, these health programs are addressing one of the root causes of poverty by reducing the economic strain caused by frequent illness and enabling families to invest in education and productivity. As Kenya continues to grow economically, eliminating malaria could be key to ensuring that all its citizens can thrive and share in the country’s prosperity.

– Safa Musa

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

Photo: Flickr

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The Wajukuu Art Project in Mukuru, Nairobi

Wajukuu Art ProjectMultidimensional poverty overwhelms the five senses. The smell takes in smoke- and the stench-saturated air. Hearing puts up with never-ending noise pollution. Taste feeds on bits of nutrient-scarce food. Touch is calloused by long working hours. Sight looks at its dilapidated world with agony. However, these senses often come together to reclaim creativity and make sense of their reality through art. The Wajukuu Art Project has pioneered the slum art form of Mukuru, Nairobi, Kenya. Its stunning visual art and commitment to uplifting its community have earned it acclaim locally and globally.

Mukuru’s Living Conditions

The Mukuru slum is situated on a hillside near the Kenyan capital’s major manufacturing industries. Job opportunities, however, are scant, so many subsist by scavenging for saleable items in the dumpsite that pollutes their locality. Most of the slum’s 700,000 residents live in suffocatingly tiny three-square-meter homes, sheltered only by roofs made of cardboard or plastic.

Diseases like malaria and tuberculosis are rampant, yet most medical facilities are priced out of residents’ reach. However, with the community’s involvement, the area has recently witnessed development, with 32 more miles of paved roads and significantly better access to flushing toilets.

The Slum Art Form’s Roots

In 2003, Lawrence “Shabu” Mwangi and a few other art school graduates from the Lumba-Lumba neighborhood of Mukuru formed an art collective. They wanted to avoid the criminal activities that many around them had succumbed to with the lack of fruitful employment opportunities.

Officially registering it in 2007, they named it “Wajukuu” or “grandchildren,” deriving from a Swahili proverb that says that younger generations feel the actions of parents and grandparents. Having borne the brunt of previous generations’ mistakes, they wanted to shape a happier future.

Bringing the Slum’s Art Form to Its Children

Noticing the many curious children intently looking in from the outside daily, they decided to start a Kids’ Club. This became their chance to find authentic self-expression, as also future employability, amid the deprivation that they were growing up with.

On a pleasant June day this year, perched upon large sheets of paper, the Kids’ Club started painting. Sitting beside the toxin-choked Ngong River, they used bright tangerine and vivid cobalt hues to breathe life into their self-portraits. They showed an intimate understanding of the problems that had broken their world and their dreams of transforming it. One child outlined his forearm and wrote “PEACE” in bold letters right next to it. Another depicted a man distributing bags of rice among locals.

So far, Wajukuu’s 27 members have nurtured more than 1,000 children through the Kids’ Club and art therapy. The team also manages a library that teaches close to 30 children daily. Wajukuu’s scholarship program has enabled 15 students to achieve a high school education. Wajukuu’s other initiatives include sustainable, organic farming and the twice-yearly Slum Art Festival, which hosts exhibitions and performances by well-known musicians and dancers.

Recognition for The Wajukuu Art Project

In 2022, Wajukuu was invited to take its distinctive slum art form to the Documenta Fifteen contemporary art exhibition in Kassel, Germany, which saw a footfall of more than 738,000. Indeed, Wajukuu interactive architectural displays were reminiscent of traditional Maasai homes and the construction patterns typical of its Mukuru, with its trembling corrugated metal walls.

Even after Documenta, Wajukuu was part of a minor core team working to promote collectivity and shared resource building across geographies. Furthermore, Wajukuu’s In The Absence exhibition at Nairobi’s African Arts Trust gallery in August 2024 startled visitors into self-reflection about the irresponsible use of technology and true freedom from colonialism.

– Shiveka Bakshi

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

Photo: Pexels

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How Womankind Worldwide Transforms Women Lives in Kenya

How Womankind Worldwide is Transforming Women’s Lives in KenyaWomankind Worldwide is a women’s rights organization advocating for change through partnerships with organizations worldwide. It envisions a fairer world where women have equal opportunities. The organization works with 28 partners across 13 countries. Womankind Worldwide has supported 18 million women through community organizations. The organization prioritizes improving women’s lives in Kenya as part of its global efforts. For more than 30 years, Womankind Worldwide has collaborated with diverse groups worldwide to combat the oppression of women.

The Context of Women’s Lives in Kenya

Kenya is a lower-middle-income country and women’s employment rate is 60.3% compared to men’s at 70.4%. In Kenya, young women are particularly vulnerable to the threat of poverty because of their limited participation in the economy. Women are disproportionately responsible for unpaid care work therefore limiting their ability to complete paid work. Although the 2010 constitution committed to a more diverse government so that women would be able to make important decisions about their future, this promise has not been fulfilled. Key promises included women and men having the right to equal treatment and having the right to equal protection. 

In 2023, The World Bank Group reported that Kenya stood above Sub-Saharan’s average of 72.6 out of 100 in the Women, Business and the Law Index. In comparison, Kenya’s index was recorded at 80.6. This score increase was a consequence of stopping gender discrimination in employment and the enforcement of domestic violence legislation. Furthermore, the report suggested that women’s lives in Kenya could be further transformed by making 14 weeks of paid maternity leave mandatory and allowing women to be business owners in the same way as men. 

There have been successes in the improvement of women’s rights in Kenya. For example, the 2012 Passage of the Land Act and the Land Registration Act increased women’s rights over their marital property. Moreover, for the first time, the 2015 Passage of the Protection against Domestic Violence Act addressed domestic violence. United Nations (U.N.) Women’s Strategic Plan 2023-2026 outlines U.N. Women Kenya’s plan until 2026. This includes enhancing women’s participation in governance, creating legislative frameworks to promote the inclusion of women in leadership and advocating for accountability for gender-responsive service delivery. 

Womankind Worldwide’s Aim

In July 2024, Womankind Worldwide’s two new Co-CEOs spoke about the future of the organization’s focus on pursuing equality. Writing on the organization’s website after their appointment, Co-CEO Disha Sughand described envisioning Womankind Worldwide growing ‘an aligned supporter base through our ambitious 2030 strategy’. In addition, Co-CEO Diana Njuguna explained how Womankind Worldwide’s mission is to dismantle ‘power dynamics that prevent community-based organizations from taking their rightful place in the movements’. Womankind Worldwide focuses on working in partnership with women’s rights organizations. The organization continues to take steps to establish collaboration as an important part of the fight for equality.

Partners

The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), one of Womankind Worldwide’s partners, was founded in 1999. This nongovernmental organization’s focus is predominantly on women’s rights. CREAW has continuously applied pressure to guarantee equal political participation of women so that the 2010 constitution could be put into action. 

Another partner is Women Challenged to Challenge (WCC), who support the participation of women with disabilities in political, social and economic life. For example, WCC trained 25 service providers from Baringo County in Kenya, which included police officers and teachers. They were trained in how to assist people with hearing impairment. Therefore, women’s lives in Kenya are being transformed by Womankind Worldwide’s support for organizations such as WCC. 

Federation of Women Lawyers – Kenya (FIDA Kenya) offers women and their children free legal aid. Overall, its 1400 women lawyers and advocates have helped more than 3 million women. When they are disproportionately economically disadvantaged, help in the form of legal aid makes a significant difference to women’s lives in Kenya. 

Another organization that partners with Womankind Worldwide and is making a difference in women’s lives in Kenya is the Polycom Development Project (Polycom Girls). This project helps those impacted by sexual violence and exploitation. Polycom provides access to education, sanitation and sports. 

2030 Strategy

In its 2030 strategy, Womankind Worldwide outlines its aims for a future where all genders enjoy equal rights. It creates spaces for learning and exchange to help improve personal and social well-being. Womankind Worldwide identifies goals that include dividing power with its partners through sharing opportunities. Its 2030 strategy also includes guiding the agenda so that its partner’s voices are heard to influence change. Also, Womankind Worldwide generates funding for women’s rights and its partner organizations. 

Looking to the Future

Increasing women’s participation in political leadership is an important part of the future of Kenya. Womankind Worldwide is prioritizing putting the 2010 constitution into action through its partnership with nonprofit organizations. Womankind Worldwide works to increase the visibility of its partners and, specifically, Polycom Girls recognizes this. Its work includes emphasizing Polycom’s work to the United Kingdom (U.K.) government to help empower women. Womankind Worldwide has built partnerships across the world to help improve the rights of women. The organization is committed to opening spaces where women can have a say in what they want to change in the world. Transforming women’s lives in Kenya continues to be a focus of these ongoing partnerships in a move toward a fairer world. 

– Amy Fox

Amy is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Impact of AI on Agriculture in Kenya and Nigeria

Impact of AI on AgricultureArtificial intelligence (AI) holds considerable promise for redefining agriculture in Kenya and Nigeria, two of Africa’s leading tech hubs. Recent estimates suggest AI could markedly improve Africa’s economy, potentially adding up to $2.9 trillion by 2030. In 2023, African tech startups attracted approximately $4 billion in investments, with Kenya’s AI sector receiving $15 million and Nigeria’s $2.9 million, making them two of the leading recipients. A substantial portion of these funds is being directed to the agricultural sector.

Kenya

Kenya, with a population of about 55 million, has enjoyed relative economic and political stability recently, with a projected growth rate of 5.2% from 2024 to 2026. Despite these positivities, the country faces ongoing issues such as poverty, inequality and natural disasters.

Agriculture, which employs more than 40% of Kenya’s workforce and contributes 33% to GDP, is central to the economy. Smallholder farmers, making up more than 70% of the farming population, are essential for both economic stability and food supply. However, farmers battle unpredictable weather, limited access to information and insufficient resources to cope with the effects of natural disasters.

In 2023, approximately 4.4 million Kenyans experienced severe food insecurity, reflecting the sector’s difficulties with financing, quality inputs and crucial information such as weather forecasts and market prices, according to the 2024 GSMA report.

Nigeria

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with more than 220 million people, is experiencing rapid growth at an annual rate of more than 2.6%. Despite this, the nation faces substantial economic and social challenges, including stagnant GDP per capita, high poverty rates, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, which employs 40% of the workforce and contributes 24% to GDP, is critical to the economy, yet only 35% of arable land is actively farmed.

Nigerian farmers deal with erratic weather, security issues, poor infrastructure as well as problems like poor seeds, labour shortages, and the loss of farmland to urbanisation, according to ICT Works.

In July 2023, Nigeria declared a food insecurity emergency, forecasting that 26.5 million people could face acute hunger in 2024 due to frequent droughts and floods impacting food production.

The Impact of AI on Agriculture in Kenya

Launched in 2023, Digital Green’s Farmer Chat improves farming advice by offering personalized support to extension workers. It uses information from videos, call logs and factsheets to provide real-time assistance, having already sent more than 134,000 messages in Swahili and English, according to the 2024 GSMA report. Plans are underway to expand its coverage to more crops and regions.

Founded in 2023, Amini addresses the lack of environmental data – such as soil quality and rainfall patterns – which the World Bank identified in 2022. Amino’s platform uses AI and satellite technology for crop monitoring, yield predictions and risk assessments.

Partnering with TensorFlow technology, PlantVillage U.S. nonprofit has developed an AI-powered app to identify plant diseases. The app detects issues on plant leaves such as and recognizes patterns indicating disease outbreaks, helping to combat the 33% crop loss Kenyan farmers face each year due to pests and diseases. The app has attracted more than 10,000 users, who have reported an average 40% increase in crop yields.

The Impact of AI on Agriculture in Nigeria

Crop2Cash offers FarmAdvice, a hotline that gives farming advice via a toll-free number. Since its launch in July 2024, FarmAdvice has provided personalized recommendations in local languages to more than 500,000 farmers across 13 states, helping them increase their incomes and crop yields, according to the 2024 GSMA report.

AirSmart provides AI-driven solutions by collecting and analyzing data from drones, satellites, soil sensors and loT devices. The insights help manage water, fertilizer, and pesticide usage, predict yields and offer data-driven farm management recommendations, according to ICT Works.

The World Food Program (WFP) has developed a predictive model that forecasts food shortages up to 30 days in advance, according to the 2024 GSMA report. By looking at past food consumption data alongside market prices and weather conditions, this tool helps provide early warnings of potential food shortages.

Staying on Track

The impact of AI on agriculture is already being felt in Kenya and Nigeria, but keeping an eye on persistent issues is essential to fully realize its potential. AI is advancing especially in data-driven advisory and financial services, but the high costs of precision tools like loT sensors and drones are problematic. Making these technologies more accessible is important for maximizing the impact of AI on agriculture. While generative AI could assist farmers with low literacy or disabilities, improving digital literacy and ensuring AI services are accessible on affordable mobile devices will enable wider adoption of new agricultural practices among smallholder farmers.

– Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia is based in Wiltshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Revolutionizing Learning: AI in Kenyan education

AI in Kenyan educationKenya has emerged as a hotspot for educational technology innovation in Africa. Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the country’s learning landscape. AI in Kenyan education reshapes how students learn and how educators teach, using software ranging from individualized tutoring to data management and analysis algorithms.

The Competency-Based Curriculum

Recognizing the importance of preparing students for the digital age, the Kenyan government introduced the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in 2017. This new approach shifts away from traditional high-stakes exams and rote memorization. Instead, it focuses on enhancing learning comprehension and practical skills. The CBC emphasizes digital literacy and coding, incorporating tools like Scratch for programming and data handling. By integrating AI and digital literacy into the national curriculum, Kenya takes significant steps to equip its students with the skills they will need in an increasingly digital world.

Kytabu

Kytabu has developed several AI-powered tools designed specifically for the African educational context. Its most acclaimed product, SOMANASI, is an AI-driven personal tutoring tool that provides personalized curriculum materials, course programs and assessment questions. The application lets students rent affordable textbooks, audiobooks, assessments and courses, all accessible in the AI-supported mobile app. By enabling students to learn at their own pace, SOMANASI makes education more accessible and engaging.

Additionally, HODARI, assists teachers with grading, lesson planning and administrative tasks. The software connects individual student data from assessments to the Kytabu information management system. AI in the product helps teachers understand kids’ individual needs by analyzing performance data and identifying strengths and weaknesses. By automating these time-consuming processes, HODARI allows teachers to focus more on what they do best: teaching and supporting their students.

M-Shule

M-Shule is an edtech platform that uses AI and SMS technology to deliver personalized learning content to Kenyan primary school students, aiming to improve education outcomes in areas with limited internet access. Students interact with an AI bot that prompts them with lessons and questions they answer by text. The system analyzes the data in real-time, allowing program teams and supporting organizations to track student performance and provide targeted support where needed. M-Shule has reached more than 45,000 users, including 13,000 households from 30 Kenyan counties.

Mosabi: Financial Education for the Masses

Recognizing that education extends beyond traditional subjects, Mosabi leverages AI to provide tailored financial and business education to underserved communities in emerging markets. Lessons cover areas like financial literacy, entrepreneurship and business management. Its mobile platform uses AI-driven analytics to track user progress. Furthermore, personalized learning experiences, help small business owners and entrepreneurs improve their financial health.

Endless OS Foundation

The Endless OS Foundation provides a Linux-based operating system with preloaded educational content, productivity tools and entertainment designed for communities without internet access. Its AI capabilities curate content based on student interests, fostering curiosity-driven learning and greater engagement. Since its creation, the initiative has established 600 computer labs. This growth has significantly expanded access to digital education and resources for students across Kenya and other countries where it operates.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While the integration of AI in Kenyan education shows great promise, challenges remain. A recent study across 38 out of 47 Kenyan counties found that while teachers generally have a positive attitude toward AI, many lack confidence in implementing these platforms in their classrooms. To address this, experts recommend revising teacher training curricula to include AI components. Furthermore, they suggest designing professional development programs to build teachers’ confidence in AI.

As Kenya continues to embrace AI in education, the potential for transformative change is immense. From personalized learning experiences to more efficient school management, AI helps create a more inclusive, engaging and effective education system for all levels.

Michael Murungi, Government Affairs and Public Policy Lead for Eastern Africa at Google states, “One of the biggest opportunities AI has in education is the ability to personalize learning and for the teacher to curate the learning experience for the child based on the child’s needs.”

– Lauren Thompson

Lauren is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Period Poverty in Kenya with Reusable Sanitary Products

Period Poverty in KenyaEvery month, around 2 billion people across the planet menstruate. Although periods are a natural and healthy bodily function, they interrupt the lives, freedoms and rights of millions around the world because these individuals cannot afford or access menstrual products or proper sanitation and hygiene facilities and lack education and awareness to manage their menstrual health hygiene a possibility. This is a period poverty.

Period Poverty In Kenya

In Kenya, 65% of women and girls cannot afford the basic sanitary necessities that they need to manage their periods. This means that they regularly have to miss work and school due to period poverty. Missing work can threaten a woman’s career and losing income means that an individual has less money to spend on their period in general. Missed school days can cause young girls to drop out of education earlier, putting their future in jeopardy.

When women and girls lose their access to education, they lose out on both “life-long opportunities for employment” and their chance to “reach their fullest potential,” according to the U.N. Women. For many young girls, this also means being forced into child marriages, sexual abuse and even mutilation as their period is seen as a “coming of age.”

According to Amref Health Africa, two-thirds of sanitary pad users in Rural Kenya receive them from sexual partners. In addition, a quarter of girls in the country do not associate menstruation with pregnancy, highlighting how a lack of education about menstruation and menstrual hygiene poses fundamental risks to individuals everywhere.

The U.N. Women warns that girls involved in these transactional sex arrangements to pay for their menstrual products have a dramatically increased chance of an HIV infection.

AHADI Reusable Pads

The word AHADI means promise in Kiswahili and this brand promises that “women and girls will fulfill their destiny by maximizing their potential through education.” The organization aims to combat period poverty in Kenya by improving access to affordable sanitation products.

Bethsheba Otuga is the founder of AHADI Reusable Pads. The pads are made of cloth and can be washed up to 24 times. Otuga states that this means the user can be secure in their period for two years. Making the pads reusable means that they are also more affordable – packs of four sell for about $4 – for those living in poverty.

AHADI’s mission statement is to produce cost-effective reusable pads that “will increase women’s and girls’ self-esteem and dignity because of increased comfort and hygiene levels” during their period, according to its website.

Ending the stigma around periods is a huge first step towards ending period poverty in Kenya and around the world. Only 50% of girls in Kenya say that they can openly discuss menstruation at home, and just 12% stated that they would feel comfortable receiving information about their period from their mother, according to Amref Health Africa.

The reusable pads that AHADI produces aim to increase women’s dignity by increasing hygiene levels and allowing them to continue their normal daily activities without worrying about leaking through their clothes. The organization aims to give women and girls the assurance that they will not be embarrassed because they cannot afford production during their period.

Looking Forward

AHADI has produced more than 1,000 packs of pads (each containing four pads) within the last year, all of which the organization has sold and distributed across Nairobi, Kenya. Each of these 1000 packs has impacted a girl’s life across several schools, the most recent of which is the distribution of 120 packs of reusable pads to Seeds of Hope Educational Centre in Kibera, according to AHADI’s website.

Bethsheba Otuga and AHADI are working to end the stigma and period poverty in Kenya. Ending stigma is the first step to making real changes that could drastically change the lives of women and girls living all across the country.

Ensuring easy and affordable access to sanitary products for anyone who may need them at any time means supporting all to reach their fullest potential at all points during the month and throughout their lives.

– Kristina Grant

Kristina is based in Scotland and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Girl Generation: Organization Helping FGM Survivors in Kenya

The Girl GenerationFemale Genital Mutilation (FGM) carries many risks, perhaps the most unspoken one being the psychological impacts of the often traumatic procedure. Though there is little research on the mental effects on survivors of FGM, it is widely accepted that many women suffer from conditions like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress syndrome.

In Kenya, where prevalence rates of FGM are high, various forms of therapy are being used to help girls and women deal with the lasting consequences of FGM on their mental health. Art therapy has been proven to be an effective way of processing the trauma survivors of FGM in Kenya have experienced.

What Is It?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons.” There are many serious risks to these procedures, including short-term issues like shock, infection and serious bleeding. Furthermore, long-term issues include urinary problems, complications in childbirth (increasing the likelihood of newborn death) and psychological trauma.

FGM is considered a violation of human rights. It is most often performed on girls and so can also be a violation of the rights of the child. More than 200 million girls and women alive today are survivors of FGM. It is estimated that around 3 million people are at risk annually. In Kenya, FGM remains a significant issue, with a prevalence rate of 15%. While this marks progress from 21% in 2014 to 38% in 1998, more work is needed to reduce the rates further. In the meantime, it is crucial to support survivors of FGM in Kenya.

Lasting Impacts

After undergoing “the cut,” many girls leave education to marry, meaning the number of girls who remain in education is very low. Out of 80.8% of girls in rural areas who attend primary school, only 14.3% enroll in secondary school. FGM perpetuates poverty for girls by obstructing their access to education and pathways out of poverty.

With one-third of Kenyans living below the national poverty line, FGM exacerbates education gaps, excludes women from the workforce and imposes health care costs due to the procedure’s immediate and long-term effects. This prevents the country from achieving full prosperity.

Support for Survivors

The Girl Generation, in partnership with the U.K. Aid, is providing counseling services for survivors of FGM in Kenya. This initiative helps survivors cope with trauma and rebuild their lives. Since 2022, the organization has helped more than 500 survivors in Kenya. The Girl Generation also supports girls who dropped out of school to continue their education. Indeed, this allows them to escape the cycle of poverty.

Summary

Many girls and women remain silenced after experiencing FGM, with their suffering often ignored or dismissed. Art therapy and counseling provide a platform for these women to express their struggles and receive the support they need. The Girl Generation is one organization delivering these services to FGM survivors in Kenya.

– Eryn Greenaway

Eryn is based in East Sussex, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr