Healthcare remains another vital area, with 60 per cent of organizations contributing to projects that strengthen health systems.
The new report, The State of Philanthropy in Kenya, indicates that the
Sh172 billion is just what was captured by researchers and that giving in Kenya
exceeds this amount.
The report offers a detailed look at
this growing movement, highlighting its pivotal role in addressing education,
health, environment, water and sanitation, and agriculture.
The findings reveal that
education and health dominate as priority sectors, with 79 per cent and 60 per cent of
organizations supporting these areas, respectively.
However, the report notes a
growing focus on other critical needs. “Philanthropy has a significant impact
in Kenya,” the study explains. “The research shows that the majority of
philanthropic activities are focused on education, health, environment, water
and sanitation, and agriculture sectors.”
Peter Ndegwa, CEO of
Safaricom said philanthropy holds the
potential to drive social change within communities. “Corporates should walk with the communities they
serve and be flexible enough to deliver relevant philanthropic and strategic
interventions based on the communities’ pressing need,” he stated in the
report’s foreword.
The report is based on primary data collected over 2022-2023 and secondary
research, and was sponsored by the M-Pesa Foundation, Safaricom Foundation,
Mastercard Foundation, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).
Education remains a central
focus, with investments in areas ranging from scholarships to the development
of learning infrastructure. The report illustrates this commitment, stating,
“Philanthropic organizations typically support a mix of bursaries, digital
learning initiatives, and strengthening education systems.”
Yet, education receives
comparatively less financial allocation than agriculture and water projects,
raising concerns about resource prioritization.
In her remarks, Patricia
Mugambi-Ndegwa, CEO of Impact Philanthropy Africa, the producers of the report, emphasized the need for a strategic approach. “This
report will shape the future of giving by quantifying the contribution of
philanthropy in Kenya,” she said. “The purpose of the research is to enhance
thought leadership on philanthropic giving and provide accurate data that will
inform plans for members, the government, and other stakeholders within the
philanthropic space.”
Healthcare remains another
vital area, with 60 per cent of
organizations contributing to projects that strengthen health systems.
Environmental causes, supported by 46 per cent of
organizations, include initiatives to combat deforestation and promote
renewable energy.
Faustina Fynn-Nyame,
Executive Director of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF),
highlighted the importance of evidence-based approaches: “Our partnerships in
Kenya seek to leverage the most of CIFF funding to catalyze domestic financing
for under-resourced areas. The overarching goal is to foster the design,
implementation, and scale of high-impact, evidence-based programs that bring
about transformational change across our priority geographies in Africa.”
While Nairobi and Mombasa
dominate as hubs for philanthropic activity, the report reveals substantial
investments in underserved rural areas. Samburu and Vihiga counties, for instance,
received significant financial allocations, showcasing the sector’s commitment
to equitable development. “Notably, the top three counties in terms of funds
allocated were Samburu County receiving Sh262 million, Vihiga County with Sh216 million, and Baringo County at Sh179 million,” the report states.
Despite its progress,
philanthropy in Kenya faces hurdles, particularly in monitoring and evaluation
(M&E). The report found that only 81 per cent of organizations conduct M&E on their programs,
with private foundations outperforming corporate entities.
“Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practices
vary, with private charitable foundations more inclined to have in-house staff
conduct monitoring and evaluation (87%) compared to corporate foundations (54 per cent),” it notes.
The lack of consistent M&E practices hampers the ability to measure long-term impact. “Effective philanthropy requires robust tracking systems,” the report stresses, urging stakeholders to prioritize this aspect.
Collaboration is a recurring
theme throughout the report, with 70 per cent of
organizations partnering with others to implement programs. These partnerships
enable resource sharing and extended outreach. “Scalability and extended reach
are the primary reasons for collaboration,” the report highlights.
Mugambi-Ndegwa underscored
the importance of working together. “By aligning corporate and private giving
with national and global priorities, we can accelerate the achievement of the
SDGs,” she said.
Ndegwa encouraged corporate leaders to embrace philanthropy wholeheartedly. “Philanthropic initiatives have the power to support a multitude of causes, spanning education, healthcare, and social welfare,” he said. “Congratulations to all organizations and individuals who actively participated in this vital initiative.”