Corporate managers trained on CSR

Corporate managers from various organizations and companies in Kenya benefited from a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) training organized by Ufadhili Trust. The training was held on Tuesday 29th November, 2011 at a Nairobi Hotel and focused on ‘Strategic Corporate Community Engagement’.
The training was intended to help corporate managers gain a deeper understanding of this important concept and business practice. Participants were taken through the process of developing an effective community engagement strategy, how CSR can be used to embed responsible business values throughout the company/organizations, and how community engagement if done well, has the potential to improve a company’s reputation and brand value.
The workshop was part of Ufadhili’s ongoing work to assist companies in making Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) an integral part of business strategy and practice. Participants learned how an effective community engagement strategy has potential to create mutual benefit for both business and society.
These discussions were supported by case study presentations from leading companies in the area of community engagement.

The training was facilitated by some of the leading CSR experts including; Paul Kasimu- Group HR Director, East African Breweries, Rehema Muniu of Synovate-Kenya, Maryjka Beckmann of AAR Beckmann Trust, Regina Gichuhi - Community Relations Manager at Barclays Bank and Rosemary Mutunkei of the Kenya Red Cross Society.

Changing peoples lives through horticulture farming  

For the last three years, Ufadhili Trust has undertaken a number of activities aimed empowering economically the communities around Lake Victoria in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Through the Lake Victoria Livelihood Programme, Ufadhili Trust has been encouraging and helping the marginalized fishing communities around the Lake Victoria to come up with viable alternative income generating initiatives. The initiatives include: horticulture, crafts and weaving, poultry farming, pig rearing, and business development services.
In Kenya, horticulture projects are being implemented in Mfangano Island, with Sena community. Ufadhili Trust has partnered with the Anglican Development Services (ADS) to train the community on production of green grams, pepper, kale, spinach, coriander, cow peas, tomatoes, and beans. These trainings aim at building the capacity of the farmers to produce quality goods.
Consequently, these efforts have borne fruits. Horticulture farming is changing people’s lives within the
Mfangano Island. The farmers have now formed an association to help them in marketing of their produce within the Island as well as the neighbouring Islands of Remba, Ringiti, Kibuogi, and Uyoma beaches.
During a marketing survey organized by Ufadhili Trust between 16th October and 6th November, 2011, five farmers sold produce worth Kshs. 90,000 within the period of three weeks.
According to one of the farmers, Mrs Beatrice Obiero, who participated in the activity, this will go along way in improving her living standards. She says will use part of the money to expand her farm so that in the next season, she can serve even more people with farm produce
She is grateful to Ufadhili Trust for initiating the Lake Victoria Livelihood programme and hopes that the program will expand to include farmers in the whole of Mfangano Island (both East and West)

Biogas plants slash power bills for farmers

View from the Middle: Agencies pool efforts for Kenyan village

Eight organizations and the UN have combined to get clean water to a village near Nairobi. It has been achieved through a remarkable joint effort by three commercial businesses, two community-based organizations (CBOs), two public sector organizations, one NGO and UN Habitat. If the project works and is sustainable in financial and water-extraction terms, then perhaps it is a model for collaboration here that can be replicated across Africa. Read more

Lake Victoria fishing communities awarded

The winners of a business plan competition for the Lake Victoria fishing communities will be awarded on Friday 15th, April, 2011 at a ceremony to be held at the Swedish Trade Council offices in Nairobi.
The competition sought to encourage marginalized fishing communities in the Lake Victoria region - in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to come up with viable alternative income generating initiatives.
Four groups from Kenya and Uganda were each awarded with cheques worth Kshs. 10,000 by Mr. Henrik Danielsson, Sweden’s Trade Commissioner for East, Central, and West Africa regions, who were Chief Guest.
The groups were:
Kiwamase General Hardware Store dealers from Mfangano Island, who will use the money to start a small hardware shop in the island in addition to selling iron sheets, nails and small hardware items. Five Fresh Poultry Farm in Osiri, Kenya, said they will use the construct poultry house in addition to buying local poultry.
The third was group was Sio Port Brick Making and Selling Group, will use their money to expand their business while Kalangala Pig Rearing Group from Uganda - already keeping pigs, will be use the money to expand their business by acquiring a sausage making machine.

The activity is part of the Lake Victoria Livelihood Project that is being implemented by Ufadhili Trust and supported by Diakonia; a Swedish democracy and rights NGO based on Christian values, and Swedish Trade Council which is owned by the Swedish government and the Swedish Enterprise Sector. The project is being implemented in five sites around the Lake; Mfangano Island, Osiri and Sio Port in Kenya, Ukerewe Island in Tanzania and Ssese Island in Uganda.

Ufadhili Trust to head the Secretariat on Civil Society /Vision 2030 collaboration   

Ufadhili Trust will head the secretariat on Civil Society / Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretaria (VDS) collaboration. This follows an endorsement by participants during a two day meeting held at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha, on 4th and 5th April, 2011 to discuss civil society/ Vision 2030 engagement.
The participants looked at the areas of intervention within the three pillars of Vision 2030, namely; political, social and economic pillars. They came up with the critical issues of engagement, strategies and key result areas. A committee was set up to draft the principles of engagement.
The Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat took the participants through the achievements so far realized or on course. They include; enactment a new constitution, expansion road networks including, the Thika road super highway, expansion of airports, ICT park along Mombasa road among other projects. The participants were drawn from: Ufadhili Trust, Pact Kenya, Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat, National Economic and Social Council, Uungwana Initiative Campaign, National Council of NGO’s, Centre for Law and Research International ( Clarion), Youth Agenda, East Africa Association of Grantmakers, Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF), The Institute for Social Accountability, Shelter Forum, Uraia, Peacenet, Ujamaa Centre, Action Aid International Kenya, Public Service Transformation, Kenya National Youth Alliance, Society for International Development, NCCK, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, Centre for Leadership Education and Development (CLEED), SAYARI among others .

Its time for organizations to incorporate the ISO 26000 Standard

The ISO 26000 Standard – Guidance on Social Responsibility is here with us! It is now time for all organizations regardless of their size or location to embrace it.
The Standard was officially launched in Kenya on 30th March, 2011 by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industrialization, Dr. Eng. Karanja Kibicho, during a national workshop held at the Red Court Hotel in Nairobi.
The workshop was organized by Ufadhili Trust and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
ISO 26000 - Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility is the most comprehensive international standard on social responsibility. The standard is intended to provide guidance to all types of organization, regardless of their size or location, including governmental, non-governmental organizations as well as business, on their social and environmental performance.
ISO 26000 provides organizations with a framework to implement socially responsible behavior throughout the organization, and through its practices and policies within its sphere of influence. The standard intends to complement existing organizational strategies, systems, practices and processes geared towards social responsibility but goes a step further to emphasize results and improvements in organizational performance.
Speaking during the workshop, Dr. Kibicho noted that Social Responsibility has become an integral part of business and that the society expects corporations to become responsible and ethical on their day-to-day undertakings. He further noted that the Ministry of Industrialization is working closely with other stakeholders to encourage innovative and internationally competitive business solutions to environmental problems and the wider challenges of sustainable development.
Dr. Kibicho said, “I am glad to note that the Kenya Bureau of Standards is in the forefront in development of national and international Standards that are relevant and industry driven. This is evidence that Kenya is keen on embracing the best practices in all areas for industrial development and trade facilitation.”
On her part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Mrs. Beatrice N. Kituyi while closing the national workshop called on a multi stakeholder approach in the promotion of social responsibility.
Mrs. Kituyi said, “As you are aware, social responsibility is an issue that requires our concerted efforts to thrive. The role you play as stakeholders is important in complementing the Government’s effort to raise public awareness and expectations……… The promotion of social responsibility is a great boost and contributes significantly to sustainable development of our country including the implementation of the tenets and rights enshrined in the new constitution.”
The participants who were drawn from government, private and civil society sectors were taken through the various aspects of the ISO 26000 Standard.
Mr. Jared Ombewa of the Kenya Bureau of Standards took the participants through the fundamental principles of the Standard; he talked about issues such as accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, as well as respects for the rule of law and international norms. On his part, Mr. Charles Nyangute of the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) took the participants through the core subjects of the Standard, which included issues such as community involvement, fair operating practices, consumer rights, and environmental conservation among others.
While giving an overview of CSR in Kenya, Mr. Mumo Kivuitu, the Executive Director of Ufadhili Trust, organizations to voluntarily embrace the concept of self regulation, failure to which the law will catch with them.
He said, “If we do not regulate ourselves the law will regulate us.”
As a way forward, it was noted that it is the responsibility of every one to move the standard forward. Organizations were encouraged to establish a desk and identify personnel to deal with the issues relating to the Standard in addition to domesticating the core issues into their programmes and activities. Development of the Standard began in 2005. The worldwide process involved the largest and the most broadly based representation of stakeholders from industry, government, labour, consumers groups, non-governmental organizations, academic and research institutions. In Kenya, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) led the process working through a stakeholder grouping dubbed the ‘National Mirror Committee’ which Ufadhili Trust is a member.

Ufadhili Trust Peace Initiative Report

Ufadhili Trust Peace Initiative aims at promoting good governance, sustainable integrated development and fighting social injustices in Kenya through Active-Non-Violence (ANV). Read the report here

Ufadhili Trust beneficiary profiled

Orinde Farmers Cooperative Society, a beneficiary of Ufadhili Trust has been profiled by Coffee Development Fund (CoDF) as one of the best managed coffee societies in Kenya.  Read more

Weighing of coffee now set to go digital

The manual system of weighing coffee will soon go digital, in a bid to improve efficiency and increase farmers earnings.  The system is being implemented by the Kenya Coffee Producers Association (KCPA) and supported by Ufadhili Trust through the Coopworks Project.  Read more

COSA/ VOYA winners, 2010

Cooperatives bailout plan is good news

Ufadhili’s Maina Wambugu lauds the government's move to waive Sh 4 billion debt owed by coffee societies including the giant Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU). Read more

Regional coffee stakeholder conference

Social audit report on devolved funds released

A report on the utilization of devolved funds in Nairobi County has been released. The report aims at establishing how well the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Local Authority Transfer Fund (LATF) and Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) have been utilized in four Nairobi constituencies namely; Embakasi, Kasarani, Langata and Westlands. The report notes that there is deep-rooted corruption in the utilization of the CDF and LATF/LASDAP, political interference as well as lack of transparency in the execution of the identified projects. The Nairobi Social Audit Report that was jointly was undertaken by Ufadhili Trust, Shelter Forum and the Institute for Social Accountability (TISA) was released on Monday, 18th October, 2010. Download the report here.

The Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards 2010

The Standard Chartered Bank-Kenya was named the overall winner during the Financial Reporting Awards, 2010 held on Wednesday, 13th October, 2010 at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. The awards seek to promote excellence in financial reporting, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility. The event is organized annually by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK). The event was sponsored by Ufadhili Trust, KASNEB, ACCA, Retirement Benefits Authority, IRA, and IQ Plus.
Read the speeches of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government and the Chairman Nairobi Stock Exchange here.

Research on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

A survey on the implementation of Millennium Development Goals is underway.
The survey being undertaken by Ufadhili Trust aims at tracking the development progress in relation to the MDGs 2015 target. Over the past two years, Ufadhili Trust through the Citizens for Peaceful and Equitable Development Programme has worked with communities in urban informal settlements in both Nairobi and Kisumu Cities with a view to strengthening citizens’ participation in democratic governance for peaceful and equitable development. The Programme also aims at reducing poverty, through creating a pool of informed citizens, enhanced capacity of community groups and economic empowerment of the communities. The research findings will be shared with key stakeholders in development sector to inform the development process.

The CSR Health and Wellness Workplace Report

Coffee Research Foundation urged to reduce the cost of seedlings

Coffee farmers from Rachuonyo District, Nyanza Province have called on the Coffee Research Foundation (CRF) to reduce the cost of seedlings to encourage more farmers to grow coffee. The farmers said due to high cost, many cannot afford the seedlings thus harboring the promotion of coffee farming in the area.  The farmers were speaking during the 88th International Cooperative Day celebrations held at Dudi View Hotel, in Oyugis town on 3rd July 2010.  During the Celebrations, the Chairperson of Cooperative Alliance of Kenya, Mr. Stanley Muchiri in a speech read on his behalf by Jane Wekesa, District Agricultural Officer, urged cooperative societies to champion for the creation of enabling environment for women accessibility to decent work opportunities, credit facilities and social services.  Ms. Wekesa emphasized to the cooperators the importance of coffee farming, and urged more farmers to join cooperatives since it gives them more bargaining power. She recognized the Orinde Coffee Cooperative Society for timely payment to its members. She said, “I appreciate Orinde because it is the only society that pays its members on time.”  The District Cooperative Officer, Mrs. Pamela Masi called on the coffee cooperative societies to invest in quality and quantity coffee.  Present during the ceremony were representatives from Ufadhili Trust, Ogera Oride, Ayoro, Kabondo, Karachuonyo coffee cooperative societies among other stakeholders.

Teachers urge the government to promote community service in schools

Teachers have called on the government to implement community service programmes as part of co-curricula activity in schools. Community service is important in promoting responsible citizenship by inculcating leadership virtues to the youth. They called on the government to implement this initiative thorough the Ministry of Education at the provincial, district and divisional levels.
The teachers noted that community service in schools encouraged informal interaction between teachers, non-teaching staff and students for the smooth running of the institutions. Addressing the teachers at  the meeting, Mr. Matthew Kithyaka, Director of Starehe Boys Centre, called upon head teachers to appreciate their unique role in society and encourage the youth to give to their communities and be part of developing harmony in their communities. He added that young people must be educated to appreciate needs of their communities and see how they can support them in addition being recognized, supported and guided to understand why and how they do their service.  The teachers spoke during a community service meeting organized by Ufadhili Trust for heads of secondary schools from Nairobi Province held at a Nairobi hotel on 30th June, 2010.  

Kenyan coffee farmers visit their Tanzanian counterparts

Over 20 Kenyan coffee farmers drawn from different cooperative societies visited Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania to learn more on organic coffee farming and coffee tourism from their Tanzanian counterparts.  During the one week exchange visit, from 21st -25th June 2010 the farmers learned how to do intercropping as well as the use organic chemicals in disease prevention. For instance, the farmers learned how make insecticide from a mixture of urine, cow dug and wood ash to prevent leaf rust.  
Further, the farmers visited the Kilimanjaro Native Co-operative Union Tourism Project, to lean more about coffee tourism.  The farmers were taken on a guided coffee tour by the local farmers to experience the whole process of coffee production from bean to cup.  The tourism project, known locally as Kahawa Shamba (Swahili for Coffee farm) aims at providing additional income to coffee farmers.   

Rift Valley coffee farmers trained on good governance

Coffee farmers from the Rift Valley province have benefited from a training organized by Ufadhili Trust. The training that focused on good governance in cooperative societies was held on 3rd June, 2010 in Nakuru town. The farmers were urged to set up committees (such as supervisory, education and audit committees) within their societies in order to improve on the performance and ensure maximum returns to farmers. The farmers were also trained on good coffee manufacturing processes. They were taken through the process of coffee sorting, pulping, fermentation, drying, storage, records keeping, environmental conservation and certification schemes.  Further, the farmers welcomed the formation of the Kenya Coffee Producers Association (KCPA) saying that the new organization will advocate for their welfare. Many of the farmers expressed their willingness to register as members of KCPA.  Over 30 participants drawn from coffee cooperative societies and estate farms in Rift Valley participated in the training.

Ufadhili Trust trains coffee farmers from Western Kenya

Coffee farmers from Western Kenya benefited from a two day training organized by Ufadhili Trust. The training that focused on good governance and good coffee manufacturing practices was held in Kitale and Bungoma on 25th and 27th May 2010 respectively.   A total of 70 coffee farmers benefited from this training.

Lawyers trained on volunteerism

Ufadhili Trust and the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Kenya) held a one day workshop for lawyers on pro bono scheme. The training which was held on 21st May, 2010 at Garden Hotel in Machakos emphasized on the need for lawyers to volunteer by offering their services to the community in which majority have no access to legal services. It was agreed that there was the need to mobilize more resources to support FIDA’s pro bono scheme programme.
For more information visit FIDA website

Ugandan coffee farmers benefit from a training

A study on the impact of workplace programmes

A new dawn for Coffee Producers

Coffee cooperative societies benefit from training by Ufadhili Trust

In the commemorating two years anniversary since the signing of the National Peace Accord, Ufadhili Trust held a peace soccer tournament on, 28th February 2010, at Woodley Grounds, Kibera in Nairobi. The aim of the tournament was to preach the message of peace, reconciliation and cohesion. Woodley Grounds was chosen since it is at the heart of Kibera, the biggest informal settlement in Kenya, which experienced the worst violence and massive human rights violations in the post 2007 election violence. Ufadhili Trust partnered with local youth organizations; Foot Soldiers and Lang’ata Community Sports Fund.

CSR best practices in Kenya

Ufadhili Director, Mr. Mumo Kivuitu speaks to CSR International; Prof Wayne Visser and highlights some of the CSR case studies in Kenya......Watch video

Companies must widen the scope of CSR

Ufadhili's Maina Wambugu urges companies to look beyond narrow perception of Corporate Social Responsibility Read more