USAID Kenya Quarterly Update March 2015

BUILDING ON 50 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP WITH KENYANS IN CIVIL SOCIETY, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT

AXEL FASSIO | USAID

QUARTERLY UPDATE MARCH 2015

AXEL FASSIO | USAID

INCREASED KENYAN OWNERSHIP OF HEALTH SYSTEMS Mentor Mothers are HIV-positive mothers, who provide information and counseling to other pregnant or breastfeeding women who have tested positive for HIV. These Mentor Mothers encourage women to pursue treatment and deliver in health facilities to prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies. USAID is working with county health teams to integrate this approach in every county. Kilifi County has hired six Mentor Mothers so far.

Prisca Musiswa (left), a Mentor Mother at Kilifi County Hospital, explains the importance of taking drugs as directed by the doctor to Agnes Kai, who recently gave birth.

MORE RESILIENT PEOPLE AND ECOSYSTEMS Communities are working together to form water resource users associations that co-manage shared water sources. By giving all water users an opportunity to raise issues, the forum prevents and resolves water use conflicts. In 2014, USAID supported 126 associations to manage water resources that are becoming more scarce as a result of climate change.

The Ontulili Two Water Resource Users Association serves 10,000 people – 60 percent of whom are women.They will use this common water intake to ensure water flowing from the Ontulili River is equitably allocated.

ALEX KAMWERU | USAID

INCREASED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FLOWS Private sector businesses are developing innovative agricultural solutions to increase the productivity of smallholder farmers. To harness the power of these approaches, USAID provides the innovators with technical support and capital to test, pilot, and scale-up their ideas.

Fredrick Muthuri, Managing Director for Quest Agriculture Limited (right), developed a concept that brings affordable soil tests and customized fertilizer recommendations to the farmers’ doorstep.The service has the potential to boost yields by up to 100 percent.

MACKENZIE KNOWLES-COURSIN | USAID

USAID

INCREASED HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY AND RESILIENCE Fruits and vegetables are often harvested in high volume over a short period of time – when quality is high, but prices are low. Solar dryers add value to produce by preserving flavor and nutritional value long after the harvesting season.

USAID connects farmers to new technologies, such as solar dryers, which give them more market opportunities, increase their incomes, and reduce waste and loss.

Additional income increases the food security and resilience of rural farming families.

The Utithini Women’s Group in Machakos County uses solar dryers to process and preserve mangoes and vegetables.The group packages the dried, nutritious food and sells it in local markets.

ERIC ONYIEGO | USAID

INCREASED USE OF QUALITY HEALTH SERVICES Skilled care at birth and immediately thereafter can save the lives of mothers and babies and prevent complications. USAID complements the Government of Kenya’s free maternity policy by providing essential maternal and child health commodities and training to facilities and health workers, so they are better equipped to provide quality obstetric care.

Lydia Moraa was encouraged by a community health worker to deliver her baby at the Kahawa Dispensary in Nyamira County. New mothers are provided with a lesso (colorful traditional fabric) and a package of diapers as an incentive to deliver at the facility.

YOUTH EMPOWERED TO PROMOTE THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT Young Kenyans in 30 counties are leveraging funds from youth-led and youth-managed savings and credit cooperative organizations created

by USAID’s Yes Youth Can project, one of the largest grassroots youth networks in Africa. By encouraging savings and expanding access to credit, USAID empowers youth to contribute to, and benefit from, more equitable economic growth.

Liki Mwangangi used a KSh 30,000 loan to start a small grocery shop in Mombasa County.

AXEL FASSIO | USAID

INFORMED AND EMPOWERED CITIZENS PARTICIPATE IN COUNTY AFFAIRS Devolution is bringing local voices and opinions into decision making, which helps ensure accountability and equity. USAID provides training to citizens to help them understand and engage in the budgeting process. Many Kenyans have used this knowledge to lobby county government and ensure the equitable allocation of public funds that will benefit all Kenyans.

A woman in Kisumu County gives her feedback on the county budget directly to local government officials.

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TUGELA RIDLEY | USAID

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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) partners to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing our security and prosperity