Where the work happens
Four pillars — education, healthcare, empowerment and peace —
delivered through practical, community-rooted programmes.
Health
Kenya has expanded access to healthcare through its Universal Health Coverage commitment, yet many women, newborns and children still face barriers to the care they need. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014 reported 362 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births—about 5,000 women and girls each year—and estimated that 250,000 experience pregnancy- and childbirth-related complications, including fistula. Newborns remain at risk too, with 22 deaths for every 1,000 live births.
The challenge is not simply reaching care, but receiving it consistently and safely. Although 92% of mothers seek antenatal care, only 58% attend at least four visits during pregnancy, and just 61% of births take place in a health facility with a skilled attendant.
The Foundation’s strategy responds to these gaps by strengthening access to and use of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Adolescent and Child Health (RMNCAH) services, with the aim of reducing maternal and neonatal deaths in Kenya. It also brings non-communicable disease screening and referrals into this work, supporting earlier detection and timely treatment and management.
Education
Education is a right—and a powerful pathway to a healthier, more secure future. Kenya’s Constitution guarantees every child the right to education, yet many learners still lack the conditions they need to thrive. In some schools, 56 pupils share one teacher, compared with UNESCO’s recommended ratio of 40 to 1. Growing enrollment also puts pressure on existing classrooms and facilities, while gaps in digital skills limit the use of technology in learning. Only 23% of teachers have received ICT training, just 22% of learners access online learning, and three in ten secondary school teachers are trained to use ICT in teaching.
The Foundation’s strategy focuses on turning access into meaningful learning and future opportunity. We aim to strengthen the ability of primary and secondary school teachers to support better learning outcomes. We also seek to widen young people’s access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) by working with training providers, employers, government agencies, development partners and accreditation bodies. Through this holistic approach, we will support youth to gain practical skills, connect with employment opportunities and improve the infrastructure that makes quality TVET possible.
Economic Empowerment
Kenya’s youthful population is one of its greatest assets: at least 70% of the country is under 35. With relevant skills and access to decent livelihoods, young people can shape the economy and strengthen their communities. But too many face steep barriers. The World Bank estimated that 34% of Kenyans lived in extreme poverty in 2021. Each year, around one million young people enter the job market, while fewer than 100,000 secure formal employment. Many turn to informal work, and youth unemployment remains high—particularly among those aged 20 to 24, at 30%, and those aged 25 to 29, at 20%.
Through our Economic Empowerment pillar, we aim to help young people build sustainable livelihoods and reduce their vulnerability to social and economic pressures. We will work with partners to expand enterprise development, value addition, innovative agriculture, agribusiness and ecopreneurship.
We are also integrating sustainable philanthropy and humanitarian response into our approach, so that long-term investment is complemented by timely support for communities’ urgent needs.