Non-governmental organizations or simply NGOs are some of the key private entities a nation can have. They play a massive role in fostering social welfare, supporting research causes, and aiding the development of charity. Simply put, these private organizations exist for the welfare of the people and do so without a profit motive.
There are thousands of registered non-governmental organizations in Kenya. In fact, a 2024 list provided by the NGOs Coordination Board (a state corporation responsible for the registration of charities in Kenya) showed that Kenya had a fast growing list of “compliant” NGOs as of January 2024.
That there are numerous NGOs in town is not in doubt. But as you can imagine, each NGO out there is unique in its own ways of doing its jobs. Some focus on healthcare, others on gender equality, some on wildlife research, agriculture, education, relief and so forth.
Here is a run-down of some of the leading NGOs by financial muscle and impact – based on the most recent report from NGOs Coordination Board, the regulatory body in charge of the sector.
List of NGOs in Kenya
| Logo | NGO | Annual Spend* (KES) |
|---|---|---|
 | Give Directly Kenya | 6.6 Billion |
 | World Vision Kenya | 5.4 Billion |
 | Compassion International Inc | 5.3 Billion |
 | AMREF Health Africa in Kenya | 4.6 Billion |
 | Catholic Relief Services | 3.6 Billion |
 | International Rescue Committee | 3.5 Billion |
 | The African Academy of Science | 3.2 Billion |
 | CIHEB Kenya | 2.9 Billion |
 | Lay Volunteers International Association | 2.6 Billion |
 | Centre for Health Solutions Kenya | 2.4 Billion |
 | Child Fund Kenya | 1.9 Billion |
 | Plan International | 1.7 Billion |
 | Danish Refugee Council | 1.7 Billion |
 | World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) | 1.7 Billion |
 | PATH Kenya | 1.1 Billion |
1. GiveDirectly Kenya
This is a poverty alleviation international non-governmental organization that has been in operation in Kenya since 2011. Ranked the biggest spending NGO in Kenya, GiveDirectly claims to have directly impacted the lives of over 406,000 individuals since its inception.
In a country where 46 percent of the population survives on less than a dollar a day, GiveDirectly’s cash transfer program goes a long way in mitigating extreme poverty.
The organization gets its funding from major donors such as Google, Mastercard Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and IKEA Foundation among others.
According to a report by the sector’s regulator, this NGO spent over 6.6 billion shillings in public benefit initiatives between 2021 and 2022.
GiveDirectly is headquartered at Grenadier Tower, Woodvale Grove, Nairobi.
2. World Vision Kenya
With an annual budget of over 5 billion shillings, this humanitarian organization boasts a reach of over 3 million people across Kenya. Their programs are particularly designed to help kids from disadvantaged backgrounds although they also do have projects that focus on poverty alleviation.
Started in 1974 this NGO partners with private donors as well as other renowned charities and foundations such as The Pfizer Foundation, Whirlpool, The Coca Cola Foundation, and Microsoft to mention but a few.
The World Vision main office in Kenya is located at Karen Road, off Ngong Road in Nairobi City.
3. Compassion International Inc.
Little-known Compassion International Inc. is the third largest spender among NGOs in the country spending more than 5 billion Kenya shillings per year in charity work. With its origins in Colorado Springs (USA), the humanitarian organization enjoys a huge religious backing from individual and corporate sponsors e.g. Now Foods, Mary & Martha, and KeHE among others.
Founded in 1980, Compassion is renowned for its children-targeted initiatives that are specifically designed to, among others, alleviate poverty and fight malnutrition.
As a christian-led organization, Compassion also uses its massive reach for religious advocacy.
The Compassion International Inc headquarters in Nairobi are located at 208 Kerarapon Road, off Ngong Road, Karen, Nairobi County.
4. AMREF Health Africa in Kenya
Founded in 1957, AMREF Kenya specializes in the delivery of mobile health services and surgical support. This humanitarian organization has a presence in all the 47 counties of the country and works with a diverse donor base including USAID, UNFPA, UNICEF, and CDC among others.
Ranked among the largest healthcare development NGOs in Africa, AMREF has played a pivotal role in the management of HIV and AIDS especially among the most vulnerable communities in the country.
Other than Kenya, this NGO has a presence in Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, West Africa, Europe, and North America.
Its head office in Kenya is located along Lang’ata Road opposite Wilson Airport within the Nairobi City area.
5. Catholic Relief Services
A member of the Caritas International confederation, this faith-based NGO is the fifth largest spender on our list. Of course, its massive spending power goes hand in hand with its ability to touch more lives and achieve great impact. The organization works closely with the Ministry Health to strengthen the country’s healthcare system. They have been involved in various initiatives ranging from the provision of the much-needed polio vaccines, Covid vaccines, and disease surveillance.
Other than healthcare, this NGO that has 100 members of staff and branches in Marsabit, Kisumu, Kilifi, and Marsabit, also provides:
- Support for early childhood development
- Peacebuilding efforts
- Youth empowerment programs
- Disaster relief and support services for the vulnerable
Also known by its acronym CRS, the NGO reported spending 3.6 Billion Kenya shillings in the financial year 21/22.
They are headquartered in Karuna Close, Westlands, Nairobi.
6. International Rescue Committee
Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a non-governmental organization with a reach in about 40 countries across the world – Kenya being one of them. Known acronymically as the IRC, this humanitarian organization focuses on a myriad of areas including:
- Healthcare
- Safety
- Education
- Economic well being
- Women empowerment – among others
The NGO spends billions of shillings every year with the available regulator’s report showing that it spent a whopping 3.5 Billion shillings in meeting its mandate. This makes it the 6th largest NGO in Kenya by spending power (at least going by the available report).
The IRC in Nairobi is housed at the Merchant Square Building along Riverside Drive.
7. The African Academy of Science (AAS)
You may not have heard much about this non-political and non-aligned pan-African non-governmental organization but the fact is that it is one of the top NGOs in the country by spending power and impact.
So, what does the AAS do? Well, the organization exists to support research and innovation with a focus on key areas namely:
- Environment & climate change
- Health & wellbeing
- Natural sciences
- Policy & governance
- Social sciences & humanities
With its headquarters in Miotoni Lane, Karen, Nairobi, this organization exists to “shape” Africa’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) programs.
In the financial year reported by the regulator, this institution spent a colossal 3.2 billion shillings in its work.
8. CIHEB Kenya
This is the first locally-bred NGO to make it to this auspicious list. Indeed, the Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity-Kenya (CIHEB) is a one-of-a-kind organization especially given the unique challenges facing third world countries like Kenya.
CIHEB’s main mandate is to help in the management of HIV and AIDS conditions that have become part and parcel of the society over time.
Organizations such as CIHEB go a long way in ensuring quality care is provided for healthcare management through the provision of medical support as well as capacity building.
But where does the Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity-Kenya get its funding from? Well, this pivotal organization handles The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDs Relief (PEPFAR) funded initiatives.
This non-governmental organization is headquartered at K-Rep Centre, Wood Avenue, Kilimani, in the Nairobi City area.
9. Lay Volunteers International Association
Lay Volunteers International Association or simply LVIA is an Italian NGO that consistently ranks among the top spending non-governmental organizations in Kenya. LVIA primarily focuses on food security, poverty eradication, and peace initiatives.
The organization, which has been in existence since 1966 works with local partners and enterprises to improve access to water, quality healthcare, and modern agricultural practices. LVIA also supports youth empowerment through vocational training with the aim of enhancing the acquisition of craft skills.
The organization has a presence in 10 African countries namely Burkina Faso, Burundi, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal, and Tanzania.
In Kenya, this institution has its headquarters in Cathedral Road, Meru town in Meru County.
In the report by the industry regulator, LVIA spent a whopping 2.6 Billion (KES) in the 21/22 financial year.
10. Centre for Health Solutions Kenya
Yet another healthcare-oriented NGO to grace our list, the Centre for Health Solutions Kenya is a Kenyan NGO with a massive reach throughout the country. Acronymized CHS, the organization has been in operation since 2010 and during this period of time has touched the lives of over 7 million people.
Funded by the likes of PEPFAR and USAID through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CHS Kenya majors on chronic ailments among them HIV and AIDs and Tuberculosis (TB).
On record for spending 2.4 Billion Kenya shillings in FY 21/22 on various healthcare initiatives, this institution stands tall as the second largest local NGO by impact.
The CHS has its headquarters along Ndege Road, Karen Estate within Nairobi.
11. Child Fund Kenya
Child Fund is an international non-governmental organization that ranks highly in Kenya in terms of impact and reach. Through its more than 12 implementing partners, the organization has a solid presence in 26 counties of the country including Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kisumu, Homabay and so forth.
By estimate, this non-partisan institution serves more than 1 million Kenyan children, a feat that makes it an organization that has an unbeatable presence. Some of their notable public benefit programs include:
- Child protection
- Household economic strengthening
- Education
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- Food Security
- Emergency Response
- Health and Nutrition
- Climate Change – to mention but a few.
This non governmental organization spends billions of shillings per year and most notably in 2021/2022 spent a colossal 1.9 Billion Kenya shillings in multiple children-welfare programs.
Childfund Kenya has its headquarters along Chameleone Ave, off Waiyaki Way, Westlands within the Nairobi City area.
12. Plan International
This is perhaps one of the best-known NGOs globally with a massive presence in Kenya. Funded by a USD1 Billion kitty globally, Plan International is big on girls education. Over the years, they have sponsored thousands of students enabling them achieve their dreams and experience financial empowerment in the long-run.
Behind Plan International is a long list of donors notably corporate multinationals such as Nike as well as renowned philanthropists such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Canadian Government is also a major funder of Plan International’s humanitarian works.
Locally, the organization is on record for having spent a colossal 1.7 Billion Kenya shillings in its impactful initiatives within the 2021/2022 financial year period.
The Plan International Kenyan headquarters are found at the Methodist Ministries Centre along Olitoktok Road, Kileleshwa, Nairobi.
13. Danish Refugee Council
As the name suggests, the Danish Refugee Council is backed by the Danish people and has its roots in Denmark. Also known by its initials – DRC – this non-governmental institution has been serving in Kenya since 2005 particularly as one of the key UNHCR implementing partners in refugee response.
As you can imagine, this organization mainly operates in the frontier districts of Isiolo, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana and Marsabit.
Some of its initiatives include peace-building programs, humanitarian missions, and development programs. On top of that, the DRC has activities around Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), as well as programs for refugee camps and communities.
Rated one of the most effective NGOs in the country, the Danish Refugee Council reportedly spent 1.7 Billion Kenya shillings in one year according to a past government report.
The Danish Refugee Council is based along Lower Kabete Road in the Spring Valley area of Nairobi.
14. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
One of the oldest NGOs in Kenya, the World Wide Fund for Nature has been in the country for more than 6 decades. During that time, the organization has played a pivotal role in wildlife conservation and securing of wildlife sanctuaries.
The organization has a major focus on rhino conservation – particularly the black rhino. And just to showcase how effective the WWF has been effective in this quest, the population of black rhinos in the country has steadily risen from around 400 in the 1980s to a new high of 1000+ in 2024.
This Swiss NGO has its Kenyan head offices at 118 Dagoretti Road, Karen within the capital city. In 2021/2022 it reportedly spent over 1.7 Billion shillings in various animal conservation initiatives around the country.
15. Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH)
With an annual spend of 1.1 billion shillings previously reported in Kenya, the Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) wraps up our list of the highest spending NGOs in the republic. Having served in Kenya for more than three decades, PATH is known to provide technical support to help in the development and use of healthcare systems for the delivery of public health service in the country.
Other than that, PATH focuses on research and development (R&D), policy development, and capacity building.
This NGO has its headquarters in Kilimani, Nairobi along with two upcountry offices in Kisumu and Homa Bay.
Quick Facts About NGOs in Kenya
Cumulatively, Kenya had registered more than 12,162 NGOs by 2022. Of those, some 2,468 were deregistered for various reasons leaving the country with approximately 9700 active NGOs. The sector contributed an estimated Ksh175.9 Billion shillings to the Kenyan economy in the decade between 2012 and 2022 according to the Annual NGO Sector Report of 2022.
Conclusion
There you have it – a detailed break-down of the top NGOs in Kenya in terms of what they do and how much money they inject into their projects. As it turns out, some of the little known organizations out there are doing so much to impact change in our societies. Kudos to them.
James is the founding mentor of Bizsasa.com. He holds a degree in Economics & Mathematics from the University of Nairobi, as well as a CPA (II).