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On March 25, 2025, a powerful alliance was born at the heart of Laikipia County. In a vibrant and energizing event, Laikipia University and GROOTS Kenya officially launched a landmark strategic partnership aimed at bridging the gap between academia and the grassroots. This strategic partnership is not only a milestone for Laikipia University and GROOTS Kenya but also a crucial step toward advancing Kenya’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes sustainable development, gender equity, and community-driven growth. The collaboration is set to ignite community-led development, advance gender equality, and tackle climate change—head-on.
The event, hosted at Laikipia University’s scenic main campus, wasn’t just a formal affair. It was a celebration of shared values, lived experience, and the limitless potential that emerges when knowledge meets community action. From faculty and students to grassroots champions, the spirit of unity and transformation filled the air.
At the forefront of the celebration was GROOTS Kenya’s Executive Director, Ms. Rachel Kagoiya, Grants and Operations Manager, Ms. Eunice Mwangi, accompanied by a passionate team of grassroots leaders—women and youth who have long been the backbone of community resilience. Their presence, stories, and commitment reminded all attendees why this partnership matters. The day began with a courtesy visit to Vice Chancellor Prof. Kibett Rotich, where both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)—marking the formal start of this transformative journey. The MOU was initially conceived through the efforts of a Community-Based Organization (CBO) names Dearing Eagles, with GROOTS Kenya later stepping in to provide Technical Support, Led by Peter, Bill and Dennis.
The event drew the attention of key public officials, including Mr. Peter Koro, Conservator of Forests, and Assistant Chief Ms. Martha Githengi. Their involvement underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in achieving national goals like environmental conservation, community resilience, and gender inclusion. Their messages affirmed that the government stands ready to walk alongside communities and institutions in creating lasting impact.
This strategic alliance is more than just paperwork—it is a bold commitment to co-creating solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing Kenyan communities. Together, Laikipia University and GROOTS Kenya will roll out joint programs in:
GROOTS Kenya brings to the table decades of experience working with grassroots women across Kenya, while Laikipia University offers cutting-edge research, innovation, and a growing student base ready to apply knowledge where it matters most. “This partnership gives visibility and legitimacy to grassroots communities and their work” Ms. Eunice Mwangi noted in her speech.
The launch day wasn’t just about speeches—it was hands-on and symbolic. Attendees participated in the donation and planting of fruit tree seedlings, and the unveiling of a tree nursery at the university farm—a powerful gesture of environmental responsibility and shared growth.
In an interactive dialogue session, grassroots champions shared moving testimonies—stories of resilience, leadership, and how access to knowledge and opportunity can transform entire communities. University representatives echoed the call, pledging to embed real-world impact into their academic mission.
As Mr. Peter Koro noted during his speech, environmental conservation isn’t just a policy goal—it’s a community mission. He emphasized the role partnerships like this play in helping Kenya meet its reforestation and climate targets. Assistant Chief Martha Githengi reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting locally driven solutions, ensuring that the momentum created by this partnership continues to grow.
This partnership isn’t just about projects. It’s about reimagining how institutions and communities can work together—as equal partners—to unlock potential, empower the most marginalized, and create a sustainable future for all.
With hearts aligned and hands joined, Laikipia University and GROOTS Kenya have set out to plant more than trees—they’re planting hope, leadership, and transformation across Laikipia and beyond.
GROOTS Kenya has once again made history! We are proud to announce that we have been recognized as the Overall Best NGO for Promoting Gender Equality at the prestigious Diversity and Inclusion Awards & Recognition (DIAR) Awards 2025. This award is a testament of our relentless commitment to empowering grassroots women and their communities, amplifying their voices, and ensuring gender equity in leadership, land rights, economic empowerment, and decision-making processes. It is particularly special since it comes as we celebrate 30 years of grassroots women empowerment.
For nearly three decades, GROOTS Kenya has been at the forefront of transforming communities through champion-led solutions to their identified societal challenges. Through tested models that include; Local to local dialogues, Champions for transformative action, community watch dogs and the champion led model, this recognition validates the work of thousands of grassroots women leaders, community champions, and partners who dedicate their efforts to challenging systemic inequalities and advocating for grassroots women’s rights at all levels. Indeed, grassroots women are a formidable force to be reckoned with, when it comes to real and lasting impact in grassroots transformation.
The DIAR Awards celebrate organizations and individuals making a tangible impact in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across different sectors in Kenya. Being named the best NGO in gender equality reflects the transformative impact of our programs, which include:
This recognition fuels our mission to scale our impact, build stronger alliances, and continue advocating for policies and practices that meaningfully facilitate grassroots women to be at the center of Kenya’s development agenda. It also serves as a challenge—to do more, reach more, and push for greater gender-transformative policies that benefit all women, especially those in marginalized communities – to truly leave no one behind. The 2025 DIAR award is timely as GROOTS Kenya celebrates 30 years of impacting and transforming the lives of grassroots women in Kenya.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our grassroots champions, partners, stakeholders, and supporters who have and continue to walk this journey with us. This award belongs to every grassroot woman who has dared to challenge the status quo, every community leader who has driven transformative change, and every partner who believes in and supports our vision.
The journey towards gender justice is far from over, but together, we are unstoppable!
1st Edition - The Standard Newspaper (19th March 2025) page 9
