Stay informed about PETRAD AID's latest activities, programme progress, community engagement, field outreach, awareness events, and organizational developments across Kenya.
This section shares key highlights from our humanitarian and development work — helping visitors follow our journey of service, partnership, and community impact across Kenya.
Follow updates from community outreach, humanitarian support, peace building forums, public awareness sessions, and practical field engagement across PETRAD AID programmes in Kenya.
Read about programme milestones, partnership growth, capacity strengthening, beneficiary engagement, and progress across PETRAD AID's seven thematic areas.
Explore updates from events, media engagements, public forums, campaigns, and activities that strengthen PETRAD AID's public voice and institutional visibility across Kenya.
On 4th May 2023, the Republic of Kenya's Commissioner for Co-operative Development, David K. Obonyo, formally registered PETRAD AID Savings and Credit Co-operative Society Limited under the Co-operative Societies Act (Cap. 490, Section 6(3)), with Registration Number CS/28284. The registration marks a major milestone in PETRAD AID's financial inclusion strategy — creating a formal, government-regulated savings and credit vehicle designed specifically to serve the communities the organisation works with across Kenya.
The SACCO model extends PETRAD AID's livelihoods programming beyond training and linkages into structured, long-term financial empowerment. Members — many of them widows, youth, refugees, and pastoralist communities — gain access to savings accounts, affordable credit facilities, and a cooperative governance structure in which they have an equal voice. For communities where commercial banks remain inaccessible and informal money lenders exploit vulnerability, a registered SACCO represents a fundamental shift in economic agency.
The registration of PETRAD AID Savings and Credit Co-operative Society Limited is a direct investment in the economic dignity of Kenya's most marginalised communities — giving people not just a hand up, but a stake in their own financial future.
— PETRAD AID, on the registration of the SACCO, May 2023
Amina (not her real name) had lived in Shauri Moyo all her life. She knew its narrow lanes, its mosque at dawn, the smell of mandazi from the corner stall. When her husband died suddenly in 2022 after a short illness, she knew what came next — she had watched it happen to other women in the estate. Within two months, her in-laws had taken the furniture, frozen the joint account, and made clear she and her four children were no longer welcome in what had been their family home. "I was not grieving alone," she says. "I was also fighting to survive."
Amina heard about PETRAD AID through a neighbour who had attended one of the organisation's legal awareness sessions in the community. She came to an outreach clinic not knowing what to expect. A PETRAD AID paralegal spent two hours with her — listening, documenting, explaining her rights under Kenyan law. She was connected to a legal partner who helped her secure her children's inheritance rights and negotiate access to the family assets. Simultaneously, she was enrolled in PETRAD AID's livelihoods programme, where she received business development training and was linked to a women's peer savings group operating within Shauri Moyo. By the end of 2023, Amina had started a small tailoring business from a single sewing machine in her one-room house. Today she employs two other women from the estate. "PETRAD AID did not pity me," she says firmly. "They gave me tools. That is different. Pity runs out — tools do not."
Shauri Moyo sits at the heart of Nairobi's Makadara constituency — a dense, working-class neighbourhood where widowhood too often means economic collapse and social erasure. PETRAD AID's urban outreach programme in Nairobi targets exactly these overlooked women: those whose vulnerability is invisible to the systems designed to help them. Amina's story is one of hundreds quietly unfolding across the county.
"When you lose your husband in a place like Shauri Moyo, you also lose your name, your home, sometimes your children's school. PETRAD AID was the first organisation that treated my situation as a legal problem with a legal solution — not just a sad story."
— Amina*, widow and PETRAD AID livelihoods beneficiary, Shauri Moyo, Nairobi County · *Name changed
The Republic of Kenya's Ministry of Water & Sanitation and Irrigation issued an official Partnership Recognition letter to PETRAD AID CEO Evanson Ekitela Epetet, confirming the Ministry's partnership with PETRAD AID as a Non-Governmental Agency providing services to vulnerable groups in society.
The letter, signed by Eng. SAO. Alima for the Principal Secretary, goes beyond recognition — it formally recommends PETRAD AID for any assistance in its work on Water, Sanitation, and livelihood improvement, making this one of the most significant institutional endorsements in PETRAD AID's history.
"The Ministry recognizes Petrad Aid efforts to assist vulnerable people in our society to achieve the desired transformation in Water and Sanitation and improve livelihood. Therefore, the Ministry recommends Petrad Aid for any assistance as long as they work within the given framework of the Regulations governing Non-Governmental Agencies in Kenya."
— Eng. SAO. Alima, for Principal Secretary, Ministry of Water, Sanitation & Irrigation
This national-level endorsement affirms PETRAD AID's credibility and impact in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programming, and strengthens the organisation's ability to access development partner funding and institutional support.
On 22nd May 2023, PETRAD AID signed a landmark 5-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Kenya's Ministry of Education — Directorate of Adult and Continuing Education in Turkana County — to jointly tackle one of Kenya's most severe literacy challenges. Turkana County has an illiteracy rate of over 80%, with Turkana West sub-county at approximately 78%, driven by an acute shortage of teachers.
Under the MoU, valid through 22nd May 2027, both parties have clearly defined roles. The Ministry of Education recruits and trains teachers, provides curriculum, and facilitates registration of Adult Basic Education (ABE) Centres. PETRAD AID identifies areas with high illiteracy rates, provides facilitation and training logistics for teachers, supplies teaching and learning materials to ABE Centres, and conducts joint monitoring and evaluation with government officers.
"The above mentioned parties have entered into an agreement to work together as partners in the area of education of youths, out of school children and adults."
— MoU Between PETRAD AID NGO and Adult and Continuing Education — Turkana, 22nd May 2023
The Office of the Governor of Turkana County, through the County Secretary, formally confirmed PETRAD AID's NGO registration and issued a letter of recommendation covering the organisation's wide-ranging work across Turkana County and the broader East African region.
The letter confirms PETRAD AID's WASH programme work in Kakuma, Turkana West Sub-County, and recognises the organisation's peace building activities along the corridors of Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia — making PETRAD AID one of the few Kenyan NGOs with documented cross-border peace engagement.
"Any assistance accorded to PETRAD AID will highly be appreciated by this office on behalf of the County Government of Turkana."
— Robert Loyelei, County Secretary / Head of County Public Service, Turkana County Government (18th September 2019)
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission issued PETRAD AID an official Certificate of Accreditation as a Voter Education Provider under the Elections Act, 2011 Section 40(2). The certificate authorises PETRAD AID to operate across All Counties in Kenya — the highest possible scope of operation for any voter education provider.
The certificate was signed by both Joyce Ekuam (Ag. Director, Voter Education, Partnerships & Communications) and Marjan H. Marjan (Ag. CEO/Commission Secretary), the two most senior IEBC officials — underscoring the significance of this accreditation.
The Kenya Forest Service, under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Resources, formally recognised PETRAD AID as a leading researcher organisation championing climate change response and environmental conservation — both in Turkana County and globally.
The Sub-County Forest Conservator for Turkana Magharibi highlighted PETRAD AID's community sensitisation work on tree planting initiatives and the greening economy, recommending the organisation for any environmental assignment going forward.
"PETRAD AID is all round researcher organization championing elements of climate change in Turkana County and outside globally… I am therefore recommending PETRAD AID organization for any opportuned assignment thereafter."
— John Ekunoit Eporon, Sub-County Forest Conservator, Turkana Magharibi — Kenya Forest Service
The Judiciary of Kenya's Kakuma Court Community Users Committee (CUC), covering Turkana West and Lokichogio Sub Counties, issued a formal letter of recognition and high recommendation for PETRAD AID, signed by the Senior Principal Magistrate and Chair of the CUC.
The letter recognises PETRAD AID's "symbiotic partnership" with the court in widening access to justice, and specifically highlights the organisation's crucial role in addressing gender inequality and discrimination experienced by women and children in Turkana communities — including opening space for women and children's voices in livelihood and rights matters.
"PETRAD Aid has played crucial and significant roles in addressing social ills of gender inequality and discrimination experienced by women and children within Turkana community… We do highly recommend PETRAD Aid for future engagements as they are an organization that can be trusted."
— Hon. C.A. Mayamba HSC, Senior Principal Magistrate, Chair Kakuma CUC (6th November 2023)
KENSLAW Associates Advocates, a leading Kenyan law firm with expertise in litigation, commercial law, and social justice, issued a formal recognition and recommendation letter for PETRAD AID after six years of working partnership (2018–2023). The firm worked with PETRAD AID on human rights programmes, retainer law services, pro bono services, and alternative justice systems.
"PETRAD AID in our experience is diligent in its work ethics and is of high integrity. It is also well renowned in Kenya for its dedication in serving ultra-poor people in society. To date, the projects/programs handled by the NGO are commendable. We can verify with full confidence that PETRAD AID is one of the best in all times."
— Irene Mbito, Social Justice Partner — KENSLAW Associates Advocates (11th September 2023)
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) hosted the Board of Directors of PETRAD AID, led by CEO Evanson Epetet, to discuss collaboration opportunities and areas of mutual interest in preparation for the 2027 General Election.
PETRAD AID is one of the accredited organisations that collaborated with the Commission in providing voter education and election observation during the 2022 General Election. The team is now seeking to strengthen its support and collaboration with the Commission in the build-up to 2027.
"The Commission will soon place an advertisement calling on all eligible Voter Education Providers and Election Observers to apply for accreditation. This will help it coordinate voter education and link providers with potential development partners for funding to carry out the exercise."
— Marjan Hussein Marjan, IEBC Commission Secretary/CEO
IEBC Director of Voter Education and Partnership, Joyce Ekuam, took the PETRAD AID Board through election processes including voter registration, boundaries delimitation, and public outreach strategies.
"We need to reach out to the public and preach peace and harmony. Be ambassadors of peace throughout the election cycle — building strong, unified communities where everyone feels valued, respected and included, regardless of their background or differences."
— Joyce Ekuam, IEBC Director of Voter Education and Partnership
Through such meetings, the Commission receives feedback from stakeholders that informs areas of improvement as it undertakes its mandate.
The Nairobi City County Department of Environment, Water, Energy & Natural Resources issued an official letter of recognition to PETRAD AID, acknowledging the organisation's committed and consistent participation in city-wide monthly clean-up programmes across Nairobi.
The letter, signed by Acting Chief Officer Mohamed Abdi, describes PETRAD AID as an NGO institution that seeks to serve vulnerable people in society by providing humanitarian assistance at all levels, and commends the organisation's dedication to environmental community service.
"They have been very committed and consistent towards this noble cause — therefore any assistance accorded to them in their endeavours both now and in the future would be highly appreciated."
— Mohamed Abdi, Ag. Chief Officer — Environment & Natural Resources, Nairobi City County
This recognition affirms PETRAD AID's cross-sectoral approach — extending beyond its core humanitarian and development programmes to actively contribute to environmental conservation and urban cleanliness in Nairobi.
The News / Updates section is designed to document PETRAD AID's work in a clear and accessible way. It provides space for programme announcements, community stories, field highlights, and organizational updates.
Each entry reflects PETRAD AID's commitment to transparency, visibility, and practical service — sharing learning moments and important milestones as they happen across Kenya.
PETRAD AID believes that open communication builds trust. Sharing updates from the field, the office, and the community creates accountability and invites partnership.
Whether you are a donor, a beneficiary, a volunteer, or a concerned citizen, this section keeps you connected to the real work of community transformation across Kenya.
"Transparency is not just a value — it is a practice. Every update we share is a commitment to the communities we serve and the partners who stand with us."