JANUARY 2016

INVESTING IN KENYANSWORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THEIR NATION’S POTENTIAL

RANELLE SYKES | USAID

RIC FRANCIS | USAID

“The growing threat of climate change

could defi ne the contours of this century

more dramatically than any other.”

~ U.S. President Barack ObamaCOP 21 Conference, November 2015

USAID worked closely with the Government of Kenya to prepare for the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP21. Kenya was one of the fi rst countries to submit its

Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), a pledge to cut emissions 30 percent by 2030 from a 2010 baseline.

These recent graduates of Generation Kenya have landed jobs in banking and insurance. Generation Kenya is a partnership between USAID and the McKinsey Social Initiative that provides opportunities for young people to learn relevant employment skills, both in their fi eld, and in other important areas such as communication, teamwork and organizational behavior.

To date, all 490 training participants have secured gainful employment in their target sectors. Many are now outperforming their job peers.

PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE WORKFORCE

McKINSEY SOCIAL INITIATIVE | USAID

The members of the Tuiyoluk Women’s Group in Nandi County were once active perpetrators of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), but now they advocate against it.

FGM scars thousands of young women and girls in Kenya, physically and emotionally, for life. Through USAID support, civil-society groups such as Rural Women Peace Link, have helped reform FGM perpetrators, like these women, into infl uential community leaders who shun the practice, and promote the safe development of girls.

HELPING COMMUNITIES END FGM

INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | USAID

A pastoralist trades goats at the Merille Livestock Market in Marsabit County. The large, modern market is one of two opened with USAID support in 2015.

The markets facilitate sale of animals based on factors such as grade and health, and provides pastoralists with access to savings, livestock loans and veterinary services. These services could help them keep their animals healthy and earn more money, making them less vulnerable to drought.

BUILDING STRONGER LIVELIHOODS

RANELLE SYKES | USAID

LEVERAGING CLIMATE-SMART TECHNOLOGIES

This farmer in Makueni County used to rely on seasonal rivers to water her crops. She could cultivate crops only during certain times of year, and barely harvested enough to feed her family.

With assistance from USAID, her farming group now reuses rainwater collected in a nearby farm pond to grow crops year round. The group members have even ventured into commercial agriculture, and are able to support their families by selling fruits and vegetables at local markets.

USAID helps farmers adopt climate-smart agricultural methods, such as solar water pumps and rainwater harvesting technology. These techniques help farmers use natural energy and resources wisely and sustain production throughout dry seasons.

MWANGI KIRUBI | USAID

CONNECTING KENYANS TO DEVOLUTION

Geraldine Munyua, an intern at the Council of Governors’ (COG) Resource Center, catches up on county news.

In 2015, USAID provided the center with information-technology equipment and supported the redesign of the website cog.go.ke. The website enables many Kenyans to access information on devolution, including information on county development plans, policies and laws.

COG brings together the 47 county governors to share best practices and work collectively with the national government to improve county governance.

SUNY | USAID

Two sheiks discuss a recent peace agreement between two clans in Garissa County.

USAID worked with religious leaders to end a year-long confl ict over access, control and use of scarce natural resources, especially water and grazing pasture. The clans agreed to an unconditional ceasefi re and the return of all stolen animals.

RESOLVING COMMUNITY CONFLICTS

MWANGI KIRUBI | USAID

HELPING ALL CHILDREN READ

Class 1 pupils at Halane Primary School in Wajir County are following a reading lesson using new textbooks.

In 2015, USAID and the Government of Kenya started a nationwide, early-grade reading program, which introduced new methods and materials proven to help pupils read two to three times more quickly and effectively than in previous years.

This year, we distributed more than 2.7 million English and Kiswahili textbooks, and trained 26,730 teachers how to implement the cutting-edge program. Teachers from all 47 counties participated in the training, including those from confl ict-affected areas, such as Wajir.

MWANGI KIRUBI | USAID

INCREASING ACCESS TO TREATMENT

Leticia Njagi is a health worker at Nembure Health Center in Embu County.

“Making sure we have the right medicines and supplies is a matter of life and death,” she said. With additional training, Leticia better understands how to properly manage clinic inventory and plan procurement to prohibit stock-outs.

In addition to helping health workers learn how to manage commodities, USAID supports the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) to procure and distribute health supplies. In 2015, KEMSA received the largest bilateral contract ever awarded by USAID to facilitate the effi cient and timely supply of all U.S. Government health commodities to clinics throughout the country.

IRENE ANGWENYI | USAID

A health worker in West Pokot County measures the circumference of 2-year-old Blessing’s arm. Regular measuring helps identify undernourished children early, to allow for appropriate nutrition interventions. Blessing is one of more than three million children who received nutrition services, such as growth monitoring, through USAID support in 2015.

Receiving good nutrition in the fi rst 1,000 days (conception through two years of age), contributes to optimal physical and mental development, and gives infants and young children a stronger foundation to achieve their full potential.

FOCUSING ON NUTRITION

IRENE ANGWENYI | USAID

A mother breastfeeds her baby under an insecticide-treated mosquito net (ITN). Over the last 10 years, Kenya has made signifi cant progress in reducing the burden of malaria, largely through the proper use of bed nets along with improved diagnosis and treatment.

USAID is a major contributor to the Government of Kenya routine ITN procurement and distribution for at-risk groups, particularly pregnant women and children younger than one. In 2015, with funds from the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, we procured 5.1 million ITNs of the total 13.2 million distributed across Kenya.

DEFEATING MALARIAPSI KENYA | USAID

Members of a youth “bunge,” or local parliament, discuss upcoming business ventures in Kilifi County.

Since 2011, USAID has helped connect more than one million young people across the country with opportunities to improve their lives. By registering each village bunge as a self-help group, and linking it to youth-led county and national bodies, young Kenyans have become powerful actors in the development of their communities and country. They have forged meaningful partnerships with national and county governments, as well as the private sector.

INCREASING YOUTH INFLUENCE

AXEL FASSIO | USAID

Wangari Nyanjui from Peperuka Apparel was one of 50 owners of Kenyan small and medium-sized businesses who participated in a workshop to prepare them to export their goods under the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA helps increase African exports to the U.S. in sectors such as textile, apparel and footwear.

EXPANDING TRADE OPPORTUNITIES

RICARDO GANGALE | USAID

U.S. Agency for International Development P.O. Box 629, Village Market 00621

Telephone +254.20.862.2000 Fax +254.862.2680/2682

www.usaid.gov/kenya www.facebook/USAIDKenya @USAIDKenya

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) partners to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing our security and prosperity.

AXEL FASSIO | USAID