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Kenya

Kenya 2023 IFRC network country plan (MAAKE002)

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NATIONAL SOCIETY PROFILE

The Kenya Red Cross Society is a voluntary humanitarian organization established by an Act of Parliament in 1965. It serves as an auxiliary to the public authorities in the provision of humanitarian assistance. It has a legal mandate to work in the interests of vulnerable people in Kenya on humanitarian issues, while protecting its own independence and the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It is Kenya’s only humanitarian organization to be established by an Act of Parliament, and the only one with a mandate to support both the national and county governments.

The Kenya Red Cross has its headquarters in the capital city of Nairobi, with capacities for both emergency and developmental programming at national and community levels. With its eight regional offices and 47 county branches, the Kenya Red Cross’s geographical reach means it is able to arrive first when disasters and crises strike, and stay until they end, while being present on the ground to facilitate the implementation of community-driven programmes. In 2021 and 2022 alone, the Kenya Red Cross responded to several disease outbreaks, including COVID-19, drought and food insecurity, floods, and carried out preparedness actions for elections.

The National Society serves a diverse range of communities. It places a special focus on addressing the needs of the people that are hardest to reach and the most vulnerable groups, especially in arid and semi-arid areas, urban informal settlements, remote rural areas and geographically marginalized places. The National Society’s programmes are informed, guided and governed by the communities it serves; it understands community-specific priorities, and uses its local knowledge, international network and experience to make a difference.

The Kenya Red Cross Society’s Strategic Plan 2021–2025 has four goals. One is focused on National Society development – to be a strong Kenya Red Cross Society, and three are programmatic goals:

Communities are able to anticipate, prepare, respond to, and quickly recover from, crises

  • At-risk communities are well organized and can anticipate and prepare for new and recurring shocks

  • Affected communities receive effective, innovative and timely humanitarian responses

  • Communities have improved access to relevant and sustainable livelihood opportunities

Communities lead healthy lives and have opportunities to achieve social, economic and psychosocial well-being

  • Communities have improved and unhindered access to quality universal health care coverage

  • Transformed healthy communities drive self-care and risk reduction initiatives

  • There are inclusive, relevant and effective health policies at national and county levels

Youth-led positive change in communities

  • Young people have improved knowledge, skills and experience for personal, social and economic development

  • Young people are living healthy and responsible lives, maximizing their potential

  • There are sufficient safe spaces for youth representation, participation and meaningful engagement