Our impact

Through the lenses of our thematic areas

IAS Kenya has made significant impact in the community through its programs implemented in Tharaka Nithi, Kajiado, Wajir, Tana River and Kilifi counties. Overall, IAS Kenya focuses on upholding the highest standards of human dignity through our thematic interventions, which include inclusive education, humanitarian intervention, resilience and disaster risk reduction, integrated water resource management, civil society development and mainstreaming cross-cutting issues .

Integrated Water Resource Management:

Objective

Provision of adequate, accessible clean water and sanitation facilities through protecting, restoring and managing water-related ecosystems

Why it matters

Access to water and sanitation is a fundamental human right essential for sustainable development. Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Kenya's Big Four agenda, and Vision 2030, we focus on investing in infrastructure, sanitation facilities, and promoting hygiene practices to ensure universal access to safe, affordable drinking water by 2030. Protecting and managing ecosystems like forests, mountains, wetlands, and rivers is crucial to mitigating water scarcity.

Recent Achievements

Implemented a gravity driven irrigation project in Tharaka where water drawn from River Kathika has been piped and channeled to over 350 farmers who were also capacity build on improved farming methods. The intervention has seen the introduction of new food crops hence supporting food security.

1. Water Conservation: Saved approximately 2 million liters of water through desilting and harvested approximately 6 million liters by excavating new earth dams.
2. Earth Dam Desilting: Desilted three earth dams, increasing their water-holding capacity and accessibility during dry seasons.

Resilience Journey

Water Pan Excavation Process

Filled Waterpan

Community Engagement on Farming practices

Harvesting Farm Produce

Training on Farm Preparation and irrigation practices - with support from Christiam Impact Missiom Machakos

Masonry water storage tanks

Civil Society Development (CSD):

Objective

To strengthen existing CSOs to improve on their capacity to manage projects sustainably.

Why it matters

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kenya play a crucial role, second only to the government, in providing services. Despite facing challenges like reduced space, funding shortages, and regulatory issues, IAS K has made significant strides in empowering these organizations and communities.

Recent achievements

1. Successful implementation of four mass assessments and registrations of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Jilore, Kakuyuni, and Ganda wards in Malindi sub-county.
   
   Through this initiative, 160 PWDs, comprising 112 males and 48 females were identified and registered.
   
   The involvement of Ganda Member of County Assembly (MCA) in raising awareness about registration contributed significantly to increasing community participation in registration. This systematic documentation is essential for accurate demographic profiling and contributes to the development of targeted policies, programs, and interventions tailored to meet the specific needs of this demographic group.
2. Remarkably, PWDs groups namely; Soyosoyo and Tumaini PWD Self-Help Groups, were formed with the objective of improving the lives of persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
   
   The groups that were once non-existent are currently operational, with savings totaling Ksh. 15,650 and Ksh. 10,000 respectively.
   
   The impact of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and caregivers' groups has also led to the establishment of three additional PWDs Self-Help Groups (SHGs). This success has culminated in the formation of the Malindi Sub-County PWDs Network in December 2023, facilitated by the two PWD groups initially trained by the project.
   
   The network is currently in the process of obtaining a certificate of registration, poised to serve as a pivotal platform for advocacy on PWDs issues and discussions surrounding PWDs inclusion. Notably, the current treasurer of the network also serves as the treasure of the SHG supported by the project, ensuring alignment and synergy in their endeavors
3. Furthermore, through strengthening the capacity of 30 CBO/SHG with the project’s support there was the development of a community charter that has served as a strategic guide for advocacy efforts within the community. This charter plays a crucial role in representing the rights and needs of the community at the government level, driving positive outcomes and fostering change.
4. Capacity building of over 30 CSOs in both Tana River and Tharaka Nithi to be strong advocates for the least privileged in the communities.

Community sensitization forum with PWDs in Kakoneni, Jilore Ward

CKU Advocacy session

Mass Assessment for PWD in Jilore

Resilience & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR):

Objective

To improve adaptive livelihoods through improved agricultural production technologies, environmental conservation and locally led climate change actions.

IASK takes a deliberate effort to contribute to environmental stewardship and helps the communities develop resilience towards shocks and stresses in their own environment to address the effects of climate change.

Why it matters

An increasing number of families are facing food insecurity and struggling to generate sufficient income for a sustainable livelihood. Poverty rates remain elevated, with over 50% of households estimated to be living below the poverty line, exhibiting high illiteracy rates, conflicts stemming from resource scarcity, and extreme impacts of climate change. This underscores the need for organizations working within fragile ecosystems to make deliberate efforts to gain a deeper awareness of how to support the communities to withstand shocks and stresses that threaten and often undermine their wellbeing.

Community resilience entails preparedness, emergency response, mitigation, risk communication, and recovery of communities from physical, economic, and social disruptions. These disruptions include climate extreme events such as drought and floods, which are common manifestations of climate change.

Early warnings, stemming from awareness campaigns on proactive measures, have enabled the community to synchronize with the upcoming farming season.

Recent Achievements

1. Engaged with 3000 individuals to raise awareness and enhance early warning systems for proactive responses.
2. Enhanced the capacity of 1500 farmers in implementing best agronomic practices and adopting to climate change adaptation strategies.
3. 10 Faith-based organizations engaged and involved in resilience-building efforts.
4. Established 10 partnerships using the quadruple helix model to bolster Community-Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) initiatives.
5. Implemented infrastructure projects such as water pans and earth dams to fortify disaster preparedness and response capabilities.

Vegetable farm

Vegetable farm in semi Arid area

Installation of dam liner

Inclusive Education (I.E):

Objective

To contribute towards pupils access, retention and transition to the next level of education, especially children facing barriers to learning.

Children facing barriers to learning, children with special educational needs and children with disabilities have been supported through school feeding initiatives, advocating for their rights and lobbying duty bearers towards their inclusivity.

Why it matters

IAS Kenya is committed to supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities through school feeding initiatives, advocating for their rights, and lobbying for their inclusion. In Tana River County, where children with disabilities face stigma and discrimination, our Inclusive Education (IE) program raises awareness and promotes acceptance to ensure they receive quality education. Additionally, we implement a sustainable school feeding program in Tharaka Nithi to support children from marginalized backgrounds to access nutritious foods and improve student retention.

Recent achievements:

1. Sustainable School Feeding Program in Tharaka Nithi: Supported 37 primary schools, benefiting over 10,000 learners through the provision of school lunches. Currently supporting 15 primary schools with a sustainable school feeding program.
2. Inclusive Education Program in Tana River County, Kenya. Directly reached 677 children (221 boys and 456 girls) and 1016 adults (473 men and 543 women). Established the County Inclusive Education Network (CIEN) facilitating collaboration and resource-sharing among stakeholders.
   
   Formed an Inclusive Education sub-committee within the National Educational Alliances. Developed a tool to analyze policy gaps and issues, actively utilized by the committee. Empowered representatives from I.E networks and 12 stakeholders on accountability, mobilization and other competencies. 10 persons with disabilities (PWDs) now work in public offices and institutions in Tana River County.

Child Assessement

School feeding Programme

Humanitarian Intervention (HUM):

Objective

To develop the capacity of IAS K to respond and address conflict, drought, floods and any other shocks and stresses and contribute towards protecting and saving lives in the targeted regions.

Why it matters

Our humanitarian efforts prioritize saving lives, alleviating suffering, and maintaining human dignity during crises. IAS K focuses on both immediate relief and long-term resilience building to prepare communities for future challenges.

Recent achievements:

1. Food Distribution: Supported 1,000 households with food rations. Additionally, supplied six months' worth of food and non-food items (NFIs) to 900 individuals in Nanighi and Chewele camps, aiding 300 households affected by flooding.
   Distributed 60.5 kg of dry maize and 36 kg of dry beans to each of 40 households in Tharaka Nithi, totaling 2,430 kg of maize and 1,440 kg of beans.
2. Provision of meals for 5040 pupils in response to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. Distribution of food rations to support 1000 households.
4. Comprehensive Support: Provided relief food to 50 households in Tharaka Nithi and 210 households in Tana River Counties, along with solar lamps to 100 households in Tana River, improving evening study conditions for children.

Humanitarian Intervention

Humanitarian Intervention