In Kenya, Diakonia canalizes its support through a variety of local and national NGOs, with emphasis on capacity building of civil society organizations.

Thematic areas of Diakonia and its partner organisations’ work:

• Democracy
• Social and economic justice
• Gender equality
• Human rights
• Conflict and justice

"My name is Freddy and I live in Huruma - one of Nairobi's many slums. For those of us who live in the slums are neither toilets, clean water or garbage collection. Therefore, we have young people, with support from the Diakonia partner NCCK, embarked in the construction of biogas toilets. "
Biogas toilets reduce charcoal use and fatal diarrhea in the area, while providing income to Freddy's youth group. Photo: Peter Hoelstad

Young population facing several challenges

Kenya has a population of over 40 million, half of which are under 19 years (2010). The unemployment rate is around 40 per cent and about half of the population lives below the poverty line. Kenya faces several challenges: a significant income gap between genders and between urban and rural communities; and a need for substantial constitutional and law reforms.

Diakonia's support

To strengthen the civil society organizations and enable our partner organizations to be effective on the ground, Diakonia supports projects that raise the awareness among the citizens about their rights and organize the populations around common interests.

Progress made

Some significant progress has been made, including increasing community participation in management of public expenditure, work against corruption, an increase of women’s influence in the political decision making at local and national level, and decreasing human right violation incidents.

Food distribution in Kenya responding to the Horn of Africa famine in 2011.

Responding to the Horn of Africa famine