Kenya

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Some annual results

20,000citizens in Kenya have drought preparedness and contingency plans
5counties with increased water availability and food production
57policies, practices and investments influenced
10government institutions and universities engaged

Global Peace Index

125/ 163

GPI Rank

Political Instability

Safety & Security

Ongoing Conflict

Source: Global Peace Index (2020)

Contact

Nairobi, Kenya

PMU Nairobi
New Rehema House 5th floor
Rhapta Road
Westlands Nairobi, Kenya
Email:[email protected]

The Kenya office is part of our East and South Africa Cluster.
Cluster Director: Heleen van der Beek
Email: [email protected]

Country Manager

Merciline L. A. Oyier

[email protected]

Cordaid in Kenya

Cordaid works in Kenya with the strategic partnership Partners for Resilience. Together we strengthen community resilience by engaging all stakeholders, especially vulnerable groups. We put civil society organizations at the centre, by strengthening their capacity to engage in policy dialogue and promoting an encouraging legal and financial environment.

Where does Cordaid work?

The target counties for the program are Isiolo, Samburu Laikipia , Kilifi and Tana River Counties. The five counties above are Ewaso Nyiro River and Tana River Basin ecosystems which support pastoralist communities and smallholder farmers.

The two basins are also affected by frequent droughts, floods, conflicts, eco-system degradation, human and animal diseases.

53,8 Million

Population

Rural population

Urban population

5.8% annual

GDP growth

22.6 per 1,000

Mortality rate, neonatal

Source: worldbank.org

Current situation

In Kenya droughts, conflicts (resource-based, political and terrorism), disease epidemics (human and livestock) and flooding are the major cause of deaths, destruction of property and displacements. The most affected areas are the Northern and Eastern regions of the country. Pastoralists and farmers are highly vulnerable to prolonged droughts and rain-induced floods. During droughts, pastoralists are often forced to migrate to grazing grounds further away from their homelands.

Blocking of pastoralist migration routes greatly reduces mobility and makes pastoralists even more vulnerable. Cattle raids and conflicts over resources tend to be most severe during times of drought. The raiding of livestock, however, seems to be more violent and frequent during and at the beginning of wet seasons. Coastal areas, Kisumu area and part of the arid and semi-arid lands are especially prone to seasonal flooding. Severe rains and floods also increase the risk of epidemics such as diarrhea and cholera.

Conflicts in Kenya are ethnically oriented and more pronounced during the elections and drought episodes. Elections and political tensions/exclusions are major triggers of violent incidents and armed conflicts. General elections and an accompanying tense political situation in 2017 brought new challenges and opportunities. Kenyan civil society space is shrinking at the county level. Local civil society organizations are faced with stiff competition for financial resources as most donors prefer to work directly with the county government.

Cordaid in Kenya

To strengthen community resilience in Kenya, Cordaid works in the Netherlands-based Partners for Resilience. This partnership comprises Cordaid, the Netherlands Red Cross, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and Wetlands International with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Together we promote an Integrated Risk Management (IRM) approach to strengthen and protect the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

Assessing hazards, reducing risks

We use this approach in recognition of the importance of ecosystems and the impact of climate change on livelihoods. But also in the belief that risk reduction must integrate both timescales (from imminent hazards to risks further into the future) and geographical scope (assessing disaster risks over the wider landscape). This is essential for assessing the type, frequency, and intensity of the hazards facing communities, and for responding accordingly.

Despite the prolonged drought and political unrest following the 2017 elections, the Kenya program has achieved significant milestones since its inception in 2016. The re-elected president of Kenya has come up with four agendas his government will be focusing on from 2017 to 2022. The four agendas – food security, manufacturing, access to health care and affordable housing – are in line with our lobby and advocacy strategy to strengthen community resilience.

Relationship with governing bodies

Our relationships with governing bodies, such as the National Environmental Management Authority and Kenya Law Reform Commission, have been strengthened through signed contracts. The new leadership at county level is open to an integrated risk management approach. For instance, the Isiolo County Government has given Cordaid Kenya the opportunity to coordinate all activities amongst civil society organizations related to disaster risk management policy formulation.

Strengthening local partners

We have helped develop the capacities of our local implementing partners. They are now able to assess situations, understand the information, utilize their knowledge on Integrated Risk Management, and apply it to the problem at hand. For example, partner MID-P trained Merti county Peace Committee and 10 Water Resource User Associations on conflict resolution. As a result of this, conflict within warring neighboring communities in Merti is now reduced and there is a greater focus on project implementation.

Needs of vulnerable citizens come first

The Cordaid Kenya team continues to adapt and evolve depending on the environmental and political climate. All the while maintaining the Cordaid integrity and prioritizing the needs of vulnerable citizens.

Partners and donors

Cordaid’s PfR partners are the Netherlands Red Cross, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center, Care and Wetlands International. Local partners in Kenya include the Merti Integrated Development Programme (MID-P), the Indigenous Movement for Peace and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT) and Kenya Red Cross.