Islamic Relief’s work in Kenya is focused in the north eastern region of the country – largely inhabited by nomadic pastoralists. This region has been marginalised for decades, the general infrastructure and health and education facilities are poor.
Islamic Relief works in 6 counties in Kenya: Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Kajiado, and Kilifi.
Many of the communities we support consist of nomadic pastoralists and farmers who rely heavily on weather patterns for their livelihoods. They face recurrent drought, flash floods and inter-clan conflict.
Vast areas of grazing pasture have disappeared and many water sources have dried up, resulting in conflict over the dwindling resources. Islamic Relief is providing cash transfers so disaster-stricken families can buy food and water, and we are drilling and repairing waterpoints.
Promoting and protecting women’s and girls’ rights is a key priority. We are prioritising the training of local human rights defenders and child protection volunteers; and providing sanitary towels in schools to ensure that young girls do not miss out on their education. We are advocating against gender-based violence by educating the communities on the negative effects of early child marriages, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and physical and emotional violence.
We are also training women in business development, management and leadership skills and providing materials to run small businesses. Communities are encouraged to demand their rights and services from the government.
To give all children a fair chance to attend school and learn, Islamic Relief is supporting special needs education schools with aids required for teaching in Garissa and Wajir Counties and providing equipment and supplies to technical vocational training centers.
Islamic Relief began working in Kenya in 1993 by providing support to orphans. Today, we provide regular stipends to over 3,000 orphans and help their guardians build reliable livelihoods.
