Putting pastoralists on the map

Nomadic herders, or pastoralists, are among the most vulnerable people in Kenya. Competition over increasingly limited water and pasture in the drought-prone north of the country has led to conflict in recent years. Pastoralists received little support from the government.

How Oxfam is helping

We encourage pastoralists to develop their own organisations through which they can claim their rights and influence those in power. We also run a number of boarding schools and mobile non-formal education centres to give pastoralist children the chance of an education.

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Read more examples of our work in Kenya:

• Development
• Emergencies

Comic Relief, DFID (Department for International Development) and ECHO (Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission) are funding partners of Oxfam in Kenya

Making education available to all

Despite the Kenyan government's declaration of free primary education, around 1.7 million children still remain out of school.

In addition to children from pastoralist communities, street children and those living in slums are particularly badly affected.

How Oxfam is helping

We support education centres in urban areas by building classrooms, providing basic learning materials and in some cases, paying for teachers' salaries.

Other development work

• Peace-building work to help resolve conflict between pastoralist communities
• Helping farming families improve their livelihoods by providing training and advice

Oxfam's work in Kenya in depth

East Africa Food Crisis

Millions of people in East Africa are facing a humanitarian crisis driven by drought, conflict, and rising global food prices.

Find out more about how Oxfam is responding

Political crisis in Kenya

Following the signing of a peace deal in Kenya on 28 February, Oxfam continues to work with displaced Kenyans in camps, and to fund local level reconciliation projects.

Find out more about how Oxfam is responding

East Africa Food Crisis 2006

In 2006, eight million people across East Africa were affected by severe food and water shortages.

  This situation was bad and my children and I trekked for miles in search of water and pasture. But now, with two heifers [given to us by Oxfam], I believe our lives will be better.

Selenoi Monka, northern Kenya

Since March 2006, Oxfam and our partners have assisted more that 784,000 people across the drought-affected areas by providing water, supporting people's livelihoods and distributing food aid.

Find out more about our 2006 East Africa Food Crisis response

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Oxfam's work in Kenya in depth