What we do

Zedia, small scale trader preparing her peanut butter for the market. Photo Credit Pablo Tosco/Oxfam

Oxfam has been operating in Kenya since 1963 in the poorest and marginalised arid and semi arid lands (ASALs) of the Northern Kenya. Our initial focus was to meet the humanitarian imperative on food security and water and sanitation. With time, Oxfam in Kenya evolved its programmes from humanitarian response to building longer term programmes that would increase community resilience. Acknowledging growing urbanisation and the resultant complexity in addressing the basic needs and rights, In 2008 Oxfam in Kenya  started engaging with strategic long term programming in the urban informal settlements. Over the next five years, Oxfam in Kenya will significantly shift its way of delivering programmes. We have adopted an influencing and campaigning strategy to positively impact on the lives of the disenfranchised and poor people. 

Rebecca at her kiosk

Operational levies affecting Rebecca's business

Programme Information The informal sector in Kenya plays a significant role in the economy and is said to account for close to 50% of GDP. The Government of Kenya has been seeking ways to broaden the tax base and consequently net in those operating in the informal economy. However, there are still...
Martha serving lunch

Cess strains Martha's business

Programme Information The informal sector in Kenya plays a significant role in the economy and is said to account for close to 50% of GDP. The Government of Kenya has been seeking ways to broaden the tax base and consequently net in those operating in the informal economy.However, there are still...

How increase in cess has affected Coletta's business

Programme Information The informal sector in Kenya plays a significant role in the economy and is said to account for close to 50% of GDP. The Government of Kenya has been seeking ways to broaden the tax base and consequently net in those operating in the informal economy.However, there are still...
Student from Mukuru Reuben, Nairobi, fetching clean water from a tap at the school bio centre. Photo Credit Abraham Ali

Governance and Accountability

Supporting a movement of citizenship in Kenya that is informed and actively challenging poverty and inequality.
Oil rig in Turkana. Photo Credit: Kenya Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas Report

Natural Resources

Poor and marginalised communities get a fair share of natural resources and access their rights and benefits.
Turkana woman participating in a live community radio show with Jambo Turkana on oil and community rights in Lodwar. Photo Credit: Lightbox Limited

Women's Rights

Women participate fully in decision-making processes, gain more power in politics and access resources.
Women gardening in their small farms in Turkana. Photo Credit: Alejandro Chaskielberg

Humanitarian System

Actors prepared to prevent and respond early to humanitarian crises while upholding gender equality.
Women in Lodwar market engaging in a live radio show on oil and community rights. Photo Credit: LightBox Limited

Our campaigns

Oxfam in Kenya campaigns to change and impact the lives of the disenfranchised and poor people by investing in building citizens capacities to hold governments to account through collective citizen’s voice and actions...
Habiba Hudhow nyirinyiri (camel) meat trader in Wajir in a meeting with other women of her group. Photo Credit: Benson Guantai

I am Resilient: A life changing business

Habiba Hudhow, 49, makes a living of selling nyirinyiri , a meat-based specialty, at the market, in Wajir, Northen Kenya