Ps State Department for Environment and Climate Change Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng'eno during the Event./PHOTO;Courtesy
Despite Kenya’s steady economic growth, millions of children continue to grapple with complex poverty, malnutrition, and limited access to safe water and sanitation, while also facing increased risks from violence and climate-related disasters.
Nearly half of all children 47 per cent live in complex poverty, and 1.1 million are malnourished. Communities in arid regions and informal settlements remain particularly vulnerable and at risk of being left behind.
Recurring droughts and floods displace thousands of families each year, worsening food insecurity and disrupting children’s education, health, and overall well-being.
Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action from government, development partners, and communities themselves.
In response, World Vision Kenya has launched its 2026–2030 National Strategy alongside the WASH Business Plan, “Mapping the Blue Thread.”
The strategy aims to reach 13.3 million children across 33 counties, focusing on resilience building, child protection, inclusive development, and expanded access to water, sanitation, hygiene, and health services.
It prioritises children living in extreme poverty, children with disabilities, and those affected by climate shocks and social exclusion.
Youth-led initiatives restoring hope in Mathare
In Nairobi’s Mathare informal settlement, World Vision’s approach is already making a tangible difference.
Felix Okelo, the secretary of a youth group in Mathare Huruma Ward, recalls a time when the community faced high levels of insecurity, drug abuse, and unemployment.
“Before World Vision came into the picture, our community had serious challenges. Many youths were idle, and insecurity was high,” said Okelo.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Okelo and a few peers decided to come together to form a youth group focused on improving security and creating income-generating projects.
“We started with only five members, with no clear knowledge of how to find partners. Our goal was to unite as young people and create positive change,” he said.
The group has since grown to 26 members.
In 2023, World Vision Kenya supported them with pigs for rearing, helping the youth focus on raising and selling piglets.
“This project has been transformative. It has helped many members sustain their families, meet basic needs, and support children’s education,” Okelo said.
The initiative has also created employment opportunities for young people, helping reduce drug abuse and teen pregnancies.
Many youths who were previously idle are now engaged in productive work, and some have even returned to school.
Okelo added that the project has contributed to a significant reduction in insecurity in Mathare.
“We want people to stop seeing Mathare only as a slum. It is a community with potential a place where people can feel safe and walk freely at any time,” he said.
Strategy anchored on partnerships amid shrinking donor funding
Frederick Kasiku, World Vision Kenya’s Director for Strategy and Program Quality Impact, said the new strategy and WASH Business Plan provide a clear roadmap for the organisation’s work over the next five years.
“These documents are key because they show what we want to achieve and how we plan to do it,” Kasiku said.
He noted that the organisation is operating at a time when donor resources are shrinking, making collaboration and partnership more important than ever.
“We are committed to mobilising our capacities to engage with a wider range of funding partners beyond our traditional donors. We are also opening ourselves to co-creation partnerships with other organisations pooling resources, co-implementing programmes, and jointly monitoring progress,” he said.
Kasiku highlighted the need for stronger investments in climate-related disaster mitigation, including environmental restoration.
“In the past, when the environment was healthier, we did not experience shocks of this magnitude,” he said.
He further urged stakeholders to take advantage of early warning systems for droughts and floods.
“We now have early warning systems that can predict droughts and floods. Government, partners, and other stakeholders must use these systems to respond early, without losing lives,” he added.
WASH remains critical for child health
Lilian Dodzo, World Vision’s Regional Director for East Africa, emphasised that Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) remains central to improving child health outcomes.
“WASH is critical for the hygiene and health of children, as well as entire communities. That is why we must continue investing in WASH,” Dodzo said.
She explained that access to clean water is still a major challenge in many parts of Kenya, and where water is unsafe, preventable diseases remain widespread.
“Many children miss school because they suffer from waterborne diseases,” she said.
Dodzo highlighted World Vision’s approach, which combines infrastructure projects like boreholes with behaviour change education, mentorship programmes, and efforts to eliminate open defecation.
“The organisation begins by assessing communities to understand the root causes of vulnerability. Water, sanitation, and hygiene consistently emerge as key concerns,” she said.
She acknowledged the government’s progress in WASH but emphasised that continuous investment is necessary to ensure every child has access to clean water and safe sanitation.
Strengthening sustainability through local fundraising
To enhance local resource mobilisation, World Vision Kenya has partnered with Co-operative Bank to launch the Inuka Angaza donation platform.
Winnie Wabwire, Relationship Manager at Co-operative Bank, said the platform allows Kenyans, diaspora communities, and international supporters to donate easily and securely.
“This platform is one way World Vision can reach individuals across the country and beyond, enabling them to support programmes that benefit children and communities,” she said.
Donors can contribute via Visa, MasterCard, or M-PESA, with the system providing secure, user-friendly transactions. The platform also includes videos to help donors understand the programmes they are supporting.
Wabwire noted that such initiatives are critical for long-term sustainability, especially as donor funding continues to shrink.
“As we reflect on sustainability, we must consider what happens once donor funding comes to an end. Financial institutions and private sector partners play a critical role in ensuring projects continue to thrive,” she said.
Government backs climate resilience and strategic partnerships
The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, commended World Vision Kenya for the new strategy and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaboration.
He highlighted Kenya’s climate challenges, including recurrent droughts, floods, and land degradation, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas.
“Our national forest cover stands at only 8.8 per cent. The government has committed to achieving 30 per cent tree cover and planting 15 billion trees by 2032,” Dr. Ng’eno said.
He praised World Vision Kenya’s efforts in restoring degraded land and implementing Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration initiatives, which support national and county conservation goals.
On WASH, the PS emphasised persistent gaps in access to safe water and sanitation, particularly in rural areas, informal settlements, and climate-vulnerable communities.
“Access to clean water and sanitation is not only a public health issue, but a key determinant of dignity, education, and resilience for children and families,” he said.
Dr. Ng’eno also commended the strategy’s focus on child protection, education, and youth participation, noting these align with the government’s commitment to safeguarding children’s rights.
He stressed that structured collaboration, co-financing, and shared monitoring frameworks are essential to ensure synergy, avoid duplication, and maximise impact.
