Networking
to Serve
Humanity
Kenya Humanitarian & Resilience Network — a locally driven consortium of 14 pioneering NGOs transforming humanitarian, peace, and development architecture across Kenya.
A Coalition Built for
Lasting Change
KHRN brings together 14 pioneering Kenya Local and National NGOs, embodying a locally driven agenda for change — building partnerships between communities, civil society, and the public and private sectors.
We implement integrated and sustainable interventions across the triple nexus of Humanitarian, Peace, and Development, breaking silos and creating much-needed spaces for local organizations to lead.
The Challenge
Humanitarian interventions in Kenya are constrained by an internationally-led reactive aid system. Affected communities lack agency, fostering aid dependency rather than self-reliance.
Our Response
KHRN introduces a coherent, complementary Triple Nexus system — shifting power to local agencies, enabling community-led responses, and building genuine self-reliance.
“Locally-led humanitarian responses are the default. We move away from short-term, project-based funding toward a model that integrates humanitarian, development, and peace programming.”
Our 5 Strategic Pillars
Seven strategic objectives anchored in five interconnected pillars that drive our work.
Survivor Community-Led Response (SCLR)
At the core of our approach is a model for community-led response that serves as the bedrock for our interventions. The approach acknowledges communities as local first responders and seeks to build on local capacity and knowledge systems, rather than disempowering them. The approach recognizes communities' power to develop solutions tailored to meet the actual needs of the most vulnerable in their localities.
Integrated Programming (Humanitarian, Development & Peace)
A coherent, interdependent system spanning humanitarian emergency response, development resilience, and peacebuilding. KHRN operates a locally-led Anticipatory and Emergency Response Fund adopting a forecast-based financing approach. Development work targets infrastructure and social safety nets. Peacebuilding draws on Kenya's deep systems for conflict resolution.
Climate Action
Catalyzing climate action across Kenya by addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices.
Advocacy and Influencing
Amplifying voices and perspectives of local actors, fostering collaboration and partnership among different stakeholders. KHRN undertakes real-time learning to advocate for meaningful, equitable localization and invests in advocacy training for members and civil society.
Capacity Strengthening of Civil Society Organizations
The Institutional Capacity Component (ICC) builds a toolbox for institutional assessment and development. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) replaces manual systems to integrate finance, procurement, HR, and programme management to international standards.
14 Member Organizations
Pioneering local NGOs with decades of frontline experience across every region of Kenya.
Organization for Sustainable Development Africa
A youth-led local NGO working with communities in Northern Kenya. Headquartered in Mandera County with offices in Moyale, Marsabit, Garissa and liaison office in Nairobi. Also registered with Federal Governments of Ethiopia and Somalia. OSDA's thematic focus areas are Peace, Security and Governance, Research and Advocacy, Food Security and Livelihood (FSL), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education, Climate Action and Health and Nutrition.
Climate and Health Connect
Founded by Kenyan female doctors to address the interconnection between climate change, health, and human vulnerability. Began as a grassroots movement, engaging in proactive household visits to impart critical knowledge to expectant mothers about antenatal care. Works predominantly in Kenya's ASAL regions.
African Social Development Focus
A development and resilience building organization formed by a Person With Disability (PWD) concerned about widening humanitarian needs. Anchored on working with target communities to identify challenges, design interventions and mobilize resources. Fully observes the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
Somali Lifeline Organization
A Nonprofit NGO established in 2009 with 10+ years of experience in humanitarian, early recovery and developmental interventions in Somalia and Kenya. Works with national and state governments, local communities to mitigate drought, floods, conflicts, disease outbreaks and GBV. Strong capacity in Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR).
Tropical Agenda for the Minorities and Marginalized
A minority-focused and women-led non-profit in East Africa addressing systemic inequalities and barriers that marginalized and minority groups face. Combats exclusion based on ethnicity, disability, gender, language, age, and race. Places particular emphasis on gender and disability inclusion.
TINADA Youth Organization
A youth-led organization with 20+ years' experience supporting young people. Uses family-to-family and Youth-to-Youth focused interventions to demonstrate human rights and sustainable community empowerment. Recently (2021) opened offices in Uganda. Promotes integrated mental health, education empowerment, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Decent Work.
Partner with Kenya's
Frontline Network
Whether you're a donor, researcher, government body, or civil society organization, KHRN welcomes partnerships that advance locally-led humanitarian action.