Nairobi, Kenya – June 18-23, 2024
ActionAid International Kenya (AAIK) took center stage during this year’s NGOs Week celebrations held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi. The event, themed ‘Building Synergy for a Sustainable Future,’ saw participation from numerous NGOs, government officials, and the public, fostering an environment of collaboration and shared learning.
A highlight of the week was the heartwarming encounter with a man who had been a sponsored ‘child’ through ActionAid in the 1980s. He captivated the audience with his story, detailing how ActionAid’s education sponsorship and village programs had profoundly transformed lives in his community. His testimony underscored the enduring impact of AAIK’s initiatives.
The ActionAid booth also welcomed former staff members who had left the organization decades ago, as well as more recent alumni and partners, both past and present. These reunions provided a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge on various sustainable programming models, evaluating what has worked and what needs improvement.
The event was an interactive platform where many attendees, curious about AAIK’s community work, sought advice on how the organization could help address pressing issues in their regions. Notable challenges identified included empowering out-of-school girls, supporting teenage mothers and women in rural areas, building capacity for youth groups, and sensitizing communities in the informal settlement.
The week concluded on a high note, with productive conversations that hold the potential for future partnerships and collaborations. ActionAid looks forward to building on these interactions to extend their impact.
The 2024 NGOs Week was presided over by Principal Administrative Secretary for Security Njenga Miiri, who read a speech on behalf of Principal Secretary for Security and Interior Coordination Raymond Omollo. In his address, Omollo praised the efforts of NGOs during the devastating 2024 floods, where they provided critical emergency relief including food, clean water, medical supplies, dignity and hygiene kits, clothing, and temporary shelter to affected populations.
Omollo emphasized the pivotal role of the PBO sector in advancing Kenya’s sustainable development agenda. He expressed the government’s gratitude and reassured attendees of the government’s commitment to upholding a safe and favorable environment for NGO operations following the operationalization of the Public Benefit Organizations (PBO) Act in May.
The 2022/2023 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) report launched during the event highlighted that NGOs spent KSh197.9 billion, with KSh124 billion directed towards projects, KSh73 billion on administrative costs, and KSh49.1 billion on personnel and monuments expenses.
As the 2024 NGOs Week concluded, it left a legacy of strengthened ties and a renewed commitment to collaboration for a sustainable future, reinforcing the crucial role of NGOs in addressing Kenya’s societal challenges.
Author: Mary Consolata Makokha, Communications Officer ActionAid Kenya. Edited by Ezra Kiriago ,Communications Coordinator ActionAid Kenya.