Report on the work of the Peter Ojiambo Foundation 2024 - 2025.
During the elapsing period 2024 to 2025, the efforts of the Peter Ojiambo Foundation were largely focused on the Green transition and on Advocacy for Sickle Cell. These two work streams provided for project activities at locations including Konza Technopolis in Machakos County, Kisumu, the Maragoli hills, Kisumu city in Kisumu County, and work in Nairobi metropolis.
All the project work addressed National themes in these local contexts.
The Green transition
Members of the Foundation worked in a consortium with staff from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Chiromo campus of the University of Nairobi, an International NGO called One Health Lessons, and members of the County Government of Nyamira County. The consortium drafted a proposal on planting and growing Botanical gardens, including Fruit trees, and linking the same to young mothers' cooperatives. These cooperatives are the vehicle to coordinate the efforts of the young mothers in planting and growing lines of fruit trees and herbs among lines of indigenous trees. The mothers are trained to extract the raw botanical products from the trees. These are oranges, lemon grass and dark green vegetables and factor these into their families’ nutrition. Any surplus produce is aggregated by the women in their cooperatives and sold to local and neighbouring markets. The Peter Ojiambo Foundation team worked alongside the consortium’s members to ensure that the perspectives of children with disability are factored into the project at all levels. The health of these children is catered for at the community level by Health promoters who are trained to monitor the growth and cognitive development of the children. The project’s initial focus is young mothers and their children under 6 years of age in 5 wards in Nyamira County of the Lake Region Economic Bloc. However, it is hoped to extend the project to cover the 16 neighbouring counties of the entire Lake Region Economic Bloc. The consortium has submitted a comprehensive grant Proposal to a Canadian government call for proposals and awaits feedback.
Fig 1: Staff from the Faculty of Science and Technology, UoN visiting the Centre for Ecosystems Restoration at Brackenhurst.
Advocacy for Sickle Cell
Over the last two years, the Peter Ojiambo Foundation worked in a partnership with Ms Leah Masamo and with support from Novartis, a pharmaceutical company, on Advocacy for Sickle cell. The team, Josephine Ojiambo and Leah Masamo, participated in a national conference held at the Ciala resort on the Maragoli foothills of Kisumu County at the end of 2024. At the conference, the duo spoke on the plight of Sickle Cell warriors in the face of scientific advancements. The two advocates brought perspectives on Advocacy and Caregiving to the conference. The duo organised a get-together for several warriors from the sickle cell community, on the margins of the conference. The get-together served to affirm, share best practices, and encourage the warriors. While in Kisumu County, Josephine visited a hospital site in disrepair within Kisumu city that the County Government wished to revamp and dedicate as a regional centre for excellence for Sickle cell care. Over the last 18 months, together with Dr. Joy Muyonga, Dr. Akoth, the County medical officer, Dr. Leisampayi, and related health staff, the team has mobilized resources from various agencies and revamped the site. Today, the Centre for Excellence for Sickle Cell is functional. It was launched by the Kisumu Governor in May 2025. There are still various requirements to provide a range of services, and we are reaching out to persons of goodwill for these.
Fig 2: Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o reopening the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH)-Victoria Annex to serve as a Sickle Cell Disease Management Centre
The Foundation is a member of the National Ministry of Health Sickle Cell Committee and is on the Technical Working Groups (TWGs) for Advocacy and Clinical Services. The committee meets once every quarter and is currently working on celebrations to mark World Sickle Cell Day, and also on reviewing and updating the National guidelines on Sickle cell management.
Busia summit
The Peter Ojiambo Foundation provided secretariat support during the 12th Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) Summit, held in Busia County in 2024. The theme of the summit was “Food Security in the Face of Climate Change: Building Partnerships towards Resilience among Communities in the Lake Region Economic Bloc.” The summit brought together dignitaries and delegates from all 14 counties of the LREB. Key discussions focused on Entrepreneurial Universities, Climate Action, and Food Security, with particular emphasis on strengthening the role of universities in driving effective responses to climate change. A dedicated session led by the First Spouses explored the intersections of food and nutritional security, climate change, and their impacts on child development.
Fig 3: First Spouses of the LREB and CEO of Mama Doing Good, Mrs Elizabeth Koskei addressing the audience during a panel discussion.
Fig 4: H.E Henriette Geiger, the Australian High Commissioner addressing the audience during the 12th LREB-Busia summit
Fig 5: Dr. Stephen Jackson, the UNRC addressing the audience during the 12th LREB-Busia Summit
In addition, the Foundation is planning outreach and training programs targeting young ladies in the service industry. These initiatives will be centred on etiquette and personal agency in professional spaces, with engagements already underway with universities and training institutions.
The Foundation continues to participate in activities with other warriors, including those of the Rotary club of Karen, the Eunice Owino initiative, and several online meetings and conferences. Images of these activities will be shared.
Funding and Accounts
All the work of the Foundation is voluntary and gratis.
The conference processes were all catered for by Novartis directly: these included air travel, accommodation, food, and local travel.
The other meetings are held online and are gratis.
Members cater for their own airtime and travel costs.