Act Change Transform

20/10/2026

This Mashujaa Day, we celebrate the heroes, past and present, who stand for peace, champion justice, strengthen communities and inspire change across Kenya.

May we honour their legacy not only in remembrance, but through the choices we make and the Kenya we build together.

18/10/2026

The risks to Kenya’s 2027 General Election are no longer on the horizon.

They’re already here.

Act! Change Transform’s strategic diagnostic, Seismic Shifts in Kenya’s Democracy report maps the conflict risks, trust gaps, and early warning signals that characterise the 2027 general elections.

Supported by the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi and the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya, the report gives policymakers, practitioners, and communities a clearer basis for prevention and preparedness before the campaign period takes over.

Read the full and abridged reports on our website:

🔗Main Report:https://act.or.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Electoral-Conflict-Risk-Mapping-Final.pdf

🔗Abridged Report:https://act.or.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Abridged-Report-Electoral-Conflict-Risk-Mapping.pdf

08/10/2026

02/10/2026

25/09/2026

🕊️ 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.

Act! through the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Programme, funded by the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya, supported the National Steering Committee (NSC) on Women, Peace and Security to convene its quarterly coordination meeting in Nairobi.

The meeting brought together the State Department for Gender Affairs & Affirmative Action (SDGAA), the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC), National Cohesion and Integration Commission, the National Police Service, The National Gender and Equality Commission-Kenya, UN Women, Rural Women Peace Link, County Governance Watch, Kenya National Commision on Human Rights (KNCHR), Office of The Registrar of Political Parties (ORPPKenya), Muslim women Advancement of Rights and Protection and other peacebuilders under one roof to take stock of progress in implementing Kenya’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (KNAP III) and strengthen preparedness as Kenya moves towards the 2027 General Elections.

A recurring message was clear: 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. It is about women’s voices shaping decisions, policies, budgets and action.

The discussions highlighted several priorities:
📌 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐊𝐍𝐀𝐏 𝐈𝐈𝐈 — strengthening the link between national structures and county and community-level peace and security mechanisms.
📌 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 — ensuring WPS priorities are integrated into institutional plans, programmes and budgets so commitments translate into sustained action.
📌 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞— connecting community-level information, women peacebuilders and existing national mechanisms to identify and respond to emerging risks.
📌 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 — strengthening gender-responsive election security, protecting women candidates and political actors, and ensuring women can participate safely and meaningfully throughout the electoral cycle.
📌 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 — recognising women not only as people requiring protection, but as peacebuilders, mediators, negotiators, community leaders and decision-makers.

The meeting also underscored that sustained coordination between government, county structures, security and justice actors, women and youth organisations, civil society and development partners will be essential to deliver the WPS Agenda.

The task is not simply to ask whether women are represented. We must ask whether their voices are being heard, and their priorities reflected in the decisions that shape peace and security.

As the momentum from the International Day of Peace continues, Act! remains committed to supporting the coordination, partnerships and community-level action needed to translate the WPS agenda from policy into practice.

21/09/2026

🕊️ 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲.

Today, as the world marked the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, we joined partners, communities, government actors, young people, and peacebuilders to turn this year’s theme into a call for action: investing in peace is everyone’s responsibility.

Through Act!’s Resilience, Peace and Stability (RPS) and Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Programmes, funded by the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya, we convened diverse voices to reflect on what it takes to build peaceful, inclusive and resilient communities, particularly as Kenya looks towards the 2027 General Election.

The conversation was clear:
📢Invest in participatory processes, not last-minute mobilisation.
📢Treat digital governance as a peace and integrity issue, not a side conversation.
📢Use social media and digital platforms for civic engagement, advocacy, and early warning, meeting young people where they already are.
📢Give youth real space to negotiate with political parties, shape issue-based debate, and help define the governance questions that matter.
📢Build public trust in electoral institutions and enhance integrity and public confidence in citizens before the 2027 general elections.
📢Resource local peace structures and create durable networks for accountability and feedback.

A defining moment was the officiating of the “𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞” Peace Memorandum, developed by girls and young women through the 6th Annual Girls Assembly. The Memorandum recognises young women as leaders, peacebuilders, voters, digital citizens, and early-warning actors, and sets out commitments on participation, safety, prevention, digital peace, and partnership. Kibera Deputy County Commissioner Victor Kamonde acknowledged and signed the Memorandum, a reminder that community-led commitments gain power when institutions stand with them.

The commemoration also launched the 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 and the 𝟓 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, a citizen-driven effort to make peace visible and strengthen public commitment to non-violence ahead of 2027.

💡 The message was clear: peace is built every day through dialogue, responsible citizenship, early action, inclusive leadership and the choices we make in our homes, communities, workplaces and digital spaces.

Reflecting on Act!’s journey, CEO Tom Were reaffirmed Act!’s commitment to working alongside government, government agencies and civil society to advance peacebuilding and conflict transformation. As Act! marks 25 years of this work, the commitment continues for the next 25 years and beyond.



National Cohesion and Integration Commission Pamoja for Transformation Amani Kibera Polycom Girls National Police Service

17/09/2026

🕊️ Our Voice, Our Peace, Our Future

As we build towards the 2026 International Day of Peace, the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Programme, funded by the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya, supported the 6th Annual Girls Assembly in Nairobi County convened by Polycom Girls under the theme “Unleashing Authentic Feminine Leadership.”

The Assembly provided a platform for adolescent girls and young women to explore their role in peacebuilding, leadership, digital safety, early warning and meaningful participation, with a focus on localising the Women, Peace and Security agenda and strengthening preparedness ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.

💡 Key reflections highlighted the importance of safe and inclusive spaces, meaningful participation in peace and security processes, stronger early-warning mechanisms, digital safety and intergenerational mentorship.

On Day 2, Act! led a panel discussion bringing together women leaders from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), State Department for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action, Kenya Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security (KCYPS), and the Office of The Registrar of Political Parties (ORPPKenya). The session unpacked the four pillars of Kenya’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security — participation, protection, prevention, and relief & recovery — alongside the global Youth, Peace and Security Agenda (UNSCR 2250).

The 2-day event culminated in young women co-drafting the “Our Voice, Our Peace, Our Future” Peace Memorandum, turning dialogue into concrete commitments across participation, safety, prevention, digital peace and partnership.

As we prepare to mark the International Day of Peace, we reaffirm that sustainable peace requires spaces where girls and young women can speak, lead, participate and shape the future.

17/09/2026

6thEditionOfTheGirlsAssembly

To every partner who stood with us — THANK YOU!

We mention you; Womankind Worldwide Act Change Transform Pamoja for Transformation Winam Grassroots Confidence elevates inc. Amani Kibera Amplify Girls Crimson Communications LtdAssociation of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK)Wendy Aura@Young Women Leaders Connect

The 6th edition of The Girls Assembly was nothing short of extraordinary, and it wouldn't have been possible without your unwavering support, generosity, and belief in our mission.

Together, we created a space where girls could dream boldly, speak fearlessly, and rise with confidence. Your partnership didn't just fund an event — it invested in futures, amplified voices, and lit a path for the next generation of women leaders.

To our sponsors, collaborators, mentors, volunteers, and every organization that showed up for our girls — we see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you.

Here's to 6 editions of impact, and here's to many more to come.

10/09/2026

08/09/2026

🕊️ Turning Evidence into Action: Strengthening Women, Peace & Security in Nairobi’s Informal Settlements

In Nairobi, Act!, with support from the Embassy of Denmark in Kenya and State Department for Gender, convened a three-day Design and Induction Workshop with Polycom Girls under the Women, Peace & Security (WPS) Programme. The workshop brought together Programme, MERL, Communications and Grants teams to co-create a locally grounded project that responds to the realities, priorities and peace and security challenges facing women and communities in Nairobi’s informal settlements.

The clinic moved beyond broad commitments to interrogate the evidence behind women’s participation, conflict and safety concerns, and accountability gaps; and translate these findings into a practical programme design.

A key focus was ensuring that the Nairobi intervention responds to the specific dynamics of informal settlements, while contributing to the broader ambition of strengthening women’s meaningful participation in peace and security governance. The design process also considered assumptions, risks, dependencies and the evidence required to track whether interventions are translating into meaningful change.

The workshop also strengthened shared understanding of the systems needed to deliver the programme effectively; from MERL tools and reporting requirements to grant management, financial compliance, branding, communications and organisational capacity strengthening.

📌 Key takeaways:
Effective WPS programming should be grounded in evidence, focused on meaningful change, designed for practical implementation, supported by strong accountability systems, and responsive to the realities, priorities and capacities of women and communities.

The clinic concluded with a shared action matrix and coordination arrangements, laying the groundwork for accountable, evidence-driven and locally grounded implementation of the WPS Programme in Nairobi.

The ambition is clear: turn evidence into action, strengthen women’s voice and influence, and build more inclusive approaches to peace and security governance in Nairobi’s informal settlements.