Charity Walk Highlights Struggles Facing Girls in Rural Kenya

By JOSPHINE MWENDE 

In some areas, children are still forced to study outdoors due to a lack of classrooms and learning resources, exposing them to harsh weather conditions and an unconducive learning environment.

These challenges disproportionately affect girls, many of whom are denied access to education, forced into early marriages, or subjected to harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

For the past 17 years, Kakenya’s Dream has been working alongside communities in southwestern Kenya to change this narrative by expanding opportunities for girls and young people through education, healthcare, leadership development, economic empowerment and social norms transformation initiatives.

The organisation seeks to eliminate systemic barriers that prevent girls from achieving their full potential, while empowering communities to embrace gender equality and child protection.

Through scholarships, school support programmes and mentorship initiatives, Kakenya’s Dream has transformed the lives of thousands of girls and women. The organisation has also invested in healthcare services, climate resilience initiatives and economic empowerment programmes aimed at improving livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

On May 9, 2026, the organisation, led by its founder, president and chief executive officer Dr Kakenya Ntaiya, organised simultaneous charity walks in Karen, Nairobi County, and Enoosaen in Kilgoris, Narok County, to raise awareness about girls’ education and empowerment.

The walk, themed “Steps Towards Change”, sought to mobilise communities and stakeholders to support efforts aimed at protecting girls from harmful practices and early marriages while promoting safer, healthier and more inclusive environments for children.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Ntaiya said the organisation had made significant strides over the years in supporting girls’ education and empowering communities.“Over the past 15 years, we have reached more than 35,000 individuals, worked closely with 80 schools and awarded scholarships to over 1,000 girls to support their education,” she said.“We are also working with schools to provide life skills training that empowers girls to speak up, build confidence and understand their rights.”

Despite these achievements, Dr Ntaiya noted that major challenges still hinder efforts to uplift girls and children in remote areas. Among the key concerns, she said, is poor road infrastructure, which limits access to schools, healthcare facilities and support services.“We are calling upon the government to improve road infrastructure to make it easier for organisations, human rights defenders and well-wishers to reach communities that need help,” she said.

Dr. Ntaiya also highlighted the need for improved counselling and healthcare services for survivors of harmful cultural practices and violence.

According to her, the organisation’s health facilities currently receive more than 1,500 patients monthly seeking counselling and related support services.“We want the government to expand such services to dispensaries and healthcare facilities across the country so that young people can access immediate help whenever they need it,” she added.

She further urged both the national and county governments, alongside the private sector, to prioritise improving learning infrastructure in underserved schools to create a better future for children.“The government should go beyond making promises and closely monitor areas that urgently need support so that effective interventions can be implemented on the ground,” Dr Ntaiya said.

As rural communities continue to grapple with poverty, inadequate infrastructure and gender inequality, organisations such as Kakenya’s Dream are offering renewed hope to thousands of girls striving for education, dignity and a chance at a better future.