Nairobi/Kilgoris, Kenya – May 9, 2026 — Hundreds of supporters gathered for the inaugural Kakenya’s Dream Charity Walk, held simultaneously in Karen, Nairobi, and Enoosaen in Kilgoris, Narok County. The event brought together students, parents, teachers, community leaders, who joined the fight against harmful practices, including female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage.
Centered around the theme “Steps Towards Change,” the walk highlighted the power of collective community action in creating safer, healthier, and more equitable futures for girls.
Addressing participants during the event, Dr. Kakenya Ntaiya, CEO and President of Kakenya’s Dream, emphasized the importance of investing not only in individual girls, but also in the communities and systems that shape their futures.
“Every footstep made today is one step closer to ensuring a girl’s future is full of hope through education. While paying school fees and purchasing uniforms are essential, some girls lack basic needs such as sanitary pads, proper learning environments, and healthcare services. Through this walk, we aim to generate both awareness and funding,” said Dr. Kakenya.
Dr. Ntaiya noted that many rural communities continue to face significant barriers, including overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure, poor road access, food insecurity, and limited healthcare services. In some schools, children are still forced to learn outdoors due to a lack of classrooms and resources.
For the past 17 years, Kakenya’s Dream has worked alongside communities across southwestern Kenya to expand opportunities for girls and young people through education, healthcare, leadership development, economic empowerment, and community social norms change initiatives. Currently, the organization has operations in Transmara West, Transmara East, and Transmara South in Narok County and Kenyenya in Kisii County.
To date, Kakenya’s Dream has:
- Provided scholarships to more than 1,000 girls at various learning levels, from primary school to university level.
- Reached more than 35,000 youth through health, leadership, mentorship, and life skills programs in over 200 partner schools.
- Provided stigma-free, youth-friendly healthcare services through the Kakenya Health and Wellness Center, which now serves approximately 1,500 patients monthly.
Dr. Ntaiya further emphasized the necessity of involving an entire community, from young men and their fathers to teachers and other community leaders, in addressing problems like FGM, child marriage, and teenage pregnancies.
“To effect change, we have to take a holistic approach. Everyone should be at the table to promote education and equality for all children,” she said.
Dr. Ntaiya rallied the government, private sector, and individuals to increase investment in grassroots initiatives that directly support vulnerable populations.
“There is still so much need. There are schools without classrooms, children without meals, and communities without proper healthcare. We all have a role to play in creating a better future. Every individual can mentor, support, and become part of the solution,” she added.
About Kakenya’s Dream
Kakenya’s Dream is working to eliminate the systemic barriers that keep girls in rural Kenya from reaching their full potential. In many communities, girls are denied an education, forced into child marriage, and subjected to harmful practices like female genital mutilation, limiting their futures before they ever have a say.
Kakenya’s Dream supports girls holistically with education, healthcare, skills training, economic opportunity, and climate resilience initiatives while working with their families and communities to dismantle the harmful social norms and practices that perpetuate widespread gender inequality.
It’s a long-term investment in both individual lives and systemic transformation, and it’s how the organization creates lasting impact that extends far beyond a single generation.
For media inquiries, partnerships, or donations, please contact: Communication DepartmentEmail: samuel@kakenyasdream.org | mona@kakenyasdream.org. Phone: +254714 768 171 | +254701 850 806
