Florence and Samuel's Children posing with fresh fruit

Kenya

Building rural resilience in Kenya: farming communities leading change

Key challenges

Sikukuu, her son Juma and her husband Mr Ibrahim outside their house
37% of people in rural Kenya live in poverty

Approximately 37% of rural Kenyans live below the national poverty line, struggling to access essentials such as food, healthcare, education, and reliable income (Kenya Poverty and Equity Assessment, World Bank, 2023). Meanwhile, economic inequality remains stark nationally, with a small elite controlling the majority of wealth, deepening the divide between urban and rural populations.

A young cassava plant affected by drought and pests
Climate change threatens the livelihoods of rural communities

Around 80% of Kenya’s population lives in rural areas and depends heavily on agriculture, which accounts for about 33% of the country’s GDP (World Bank, 2023). However, climate shocks such as prolonged droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and flooding are increasingly damaging crops and livestock, putting farmers’ incomes and food security at serious risk.

Florence Gori posing with cassava freshly harvested from her garden
67% of young Kenyans are unemployed

Although Kenya’s overall unemployment rate stands at 12.7%, young people aged 15 to 34, who make up 35% of the population, face a disproportionately high unemployment rate of 67%, according to the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE). This severe lack of job opportunities, especially in rural areas, limits young people’s ability to build livelihoods and contribute economically.

"Ripple Effect is transforming rural Kenya - empowering families to farm sustainably, earn with dignity, and build climate resilience. We’re not just ending poverty; we’re nurturing hope, equity, and opportunity for generations to come."

Titus Sagala, Ripple Effect Kenya Country Director

Creating lasting change for Kenyan communities through sustainable agriculture and inclusion

Christine and Titus' son Aaron on their farm
98% of families are now food secure after our projects in Busia and Bungoma
Ripple Effect
90% of farmers now run four or more income-generating activities, up from just 38% at the start of the Enterprising Migori project.
Fatuma Tambuu and her mother
98% of women are now involved in decision-making (Kakrao Livelihoods project)

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