Mildmay Kenya: Vihiga

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Challenges facing the project

• No access road to the site, making delivery of materials costly.

• No title deed transfer; the county government did not surrender the current deed to change ownership to the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).

• Lack of on‑site security, as NGAAF could not employ workers, leading to property damage.

Interventions sought:

• Wrote to the county government, governor and area MP requesting an access road.

• Engaged the Lands Department for title deed transfer; responses were pending.

• Met the Director and Chief Officer of the Gender Department (who visited the site) to request partnership so they could employ staff to run the centre; no action had been taken to date.

Timelines

Immediate action was required for the centre to operate, given the volume of GBV cases within and beyond the county.

Impact

The centre would provide safe accommodation for GBV survivors while court cases proceeded, preventing intimidation or interference by perpetrators.

Empowerment

The centre would deliver skills training for young people and GBV survivors in tailoring, hairdressing, beauty therapy, computer software, upholstery, welding, farming, catering, basketry, fish‑farming and beekeeping.

Challenges and the way forward:

• Personnel: Secure partners willing to employ staff for daily operations, as NGAAF did not allocate funds for staffing.

• Professional personnel: Liaise with Vihiga County Government and stakeholders to employ doctors and counsellors for survivor care.

Support needed:

Charitable partners, including Mildmay, were sought to equip the centre with essential furniture and equipment: beds and bedding, computers, sewing machines, salon and welding equipment, utensils and other basics to make the facility functional. The administration also aimed to expand the site with additional buildings (administration block, workshops, etc.).