About Nayiari Community Initiative
Learn about our mission, vision, and the dedicated team working to create positive change in our communities.
Our Story
Nayiari Community Initiative was founded in 2015 by a group of passionate community members who recognized the interconnected challenges facing communities in Narok and Kajiado Counties. What began as a small grassroots effort to address maternal health concerns quickly expanded as we recognized the interconnected nature of health, gender equity, and environmental sustainability.
Over the past decade, we have grown from a team of five dedicated volunteers to an organization with over 30 full-time staff members and hundreds of community volunteers. Our holistic approach addresses the root causes of challenges facing our communities, rather than just treating symptoms.
We believe that sustainable change comes from within communities themselves, which is why all our programs are developed and implemented with extensive community participation and leadership.
To empower communities in Narok and Kajiado Counties through integrated programs that improve reproductive health, maternal and infant health, promote gender equity, and advance environmental conservation, creating resilient and sustainable communities.
We envision thriving communities where all individuals have access to quality healthcare, gender equality is the norm, and people live in harmony with their natural environment, creating a sustainable future for generations to come.
Our Core Values
These principles guide our work and decision-making every day.
We believe in the wisdom and agency of communities to identify their needs and participate in creating solutions.
We approach our work with empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to the dignity of all people.
We develop programs and solutions that can be maintained by communities over the long term.
We are committed to fairness and justice in the distribution of resources, opportunities, and benefits.
We embrace creative approaches and new ideas to address complex challenges.
We are transparent in our operations and responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us.
Our Team
Meet the dedicated professionals working to create positive change in our communities.
Sarah Kimani
Executive Director
With over 15 years of experience in community development, Sarah leads our organization with passion and vision.
James Mwangi
Programs Director
James oversees all our program areas, ensuring they are effective, integrated, and community-driven.
Esther Njeri
Reproductive Health Lead
A trained nurse-midwife, Esther brings clinical expertise and community knowledge to our health programs.
Daniel Kipchoge
Environmental Conservation Lead
With a background in environmental science, Daniel develops and implements our conservation initiatives.
Grace Wanjiku
Gender Equity Specialist
Grace brings extensive experience in gender mainstreaming and women's empowerment to our programs.
Joseph Omondi
Community Engagement Officer
Joseph works directly with community members to ensure their voices are heard in all our programs.
Our Partners
We collaborate with a wide range of organizations to maximize our impact.
Ministry of Health
UNICEF Kenya
USAID
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Kenya Red Cross
Narok County Government
Kajiado County Government