One journey through Makueni County changed everything.
In 2018 during a pivotal journey to Makueni County, Kenya, Jonathan Munyany encountered a stark reality. While touring the vast and flourishing properties of a wealthy businessman seeking help exporting meat to the Middle East, Jonathan observed a profound contrast. Amidst the prosperity of ranches, he couldn’t ignore the persistent poverty and destitution in the villages.
The absence of young adults, the vital force for community development, struck Jonathan deeply. Inquiring about their whereabouts, he discovered that many had left for towns and cities in search of jobs and reliable access to food and water. However, these urban areas offered little in terms of quality living conditions, with workers from villages residing in makeshift slums
Jonathan’s exploration revealed young men in the villages grappling with substance abuse and limited hope for the future. Disturbingly, some planned to marry young girls due to the scarcity of women their age. Motivated by these dire conditions, Jonathan delved into the issue further, visiting Nairobi to understand why young people felt compelled to leave their homes.
Their response was poignant: “In our villages, there is no water, no resources, no food.” Women and children traveled long distances to fetch water, and people in drylands struggled for every meal. The critical realization emerged—water was the key. Determined to make a difference, Jonathan initiated a multifaceted approach.
Starting with building water access in villages, he extended efforts to farming projects for food security, fostering prosperity. The next steps involved enhancing education and health to empower these marginalized communities. Through these initiatives, rural areas, drylands, and slums could break free from a century-long cycle of devastation and abandonment. Jonathan’s journey illuminated a path towards transformation, driven by the fundamental belief that water could be the catalyst for positive change.
Informal Enterprise Growth Pathway
Community Education Access
Farmer-Managed Community Restoration