VNG International has operated in Kenya since 2004 in various local government reform programmes. It has since established an excellent network with government institutions, such as close ties with the Council of Governors and the Counties Assemblies Forum, and of local experts in the fields of: public sector improvement, basic public services, public financial management, own source revenue, community development and social accountability approaches. Before, it was active in the Kenya Devolution Programme (FCDO, ACT!, 2022) and VNG International established its office in Kenya in 2023 under the Sustainable Development through Improved Local Governance Programme (SDLG), our multi-annual multi-country partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
The Strategic Partnership between the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and VNG International is 5-year programme, focused on 4 thematic priorities: Security & Rule of Law, Migration, Local Revenue Mobilisation, and Integrated Water Management. This Sustainable Development through improved Local Governance (SDLG) programme, is currently being implemented in 16 countries (Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Ethiopia, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Palestina, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, Ukraine, Namibia and Syria).
In Kenya, the programme focuses on local governments in Kenya and the role they play in the refugee space, with a focus on refugee hosting counties of Turkana and Garissa. We support counties in taking ownership over service delivery within their devolved functions for both host and refugee communities by providing adaptable service solutions. At the national level we work together with the Council of Governors to support county governments to higher level discussion with the national government on refugee issues affecting the counties, we have been working closely with the Kenya School of Government to develop a curriculum that is being used to train government officials on refugee management, and the Department of Refugee Services on national level engagements on refugee matters that impact county governments. This action is built on the notion that whilst the traditional humanitarian efforts need to be sustained or even scaled up, it should be complemented by innovative development programmes targeting counties to address the medium to longer term socio- economic impacts of forced displacement. Moreover, VNG International is working closely with the newly conferred municipalities of Dadaab and Kakuma to develop inclusive plans and budgets that are informed by both the citizens’ and the refugees’ priorities. This will improve service delivery and accountability. This support has contributed to the development and completion of the municipal plans such as the Integrated Development Plans.
Besides SDLG Kenya, VNG International is implementing the Resilience Think and Do Tank project for the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, together with Millenium Water Alliance and Akvo. This project focusses on advancing sustainable agri-food systems and the water and energy sectors in 8 ASAL-counties, to accelerate resilience building and increase stability for sustainable, social, and economic development. This is done for example by exploring relevant value chains, discussing financing mechanisms and promoting investment opportunities. VNG International’s focus is to empower local governments and to enhance their accountability, ensuring that community needs are better integrated into their governance and development processes. This project brings together the different development partners of the Embassy, striving to a more coordinated and coherent development approach.
Another project VNG International is implementing in Kenya is the Good Governance (GoGo) project, implemented for GIZ and funded by the German government. This project aims to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public administration focused on improved government performance on national and county levels. The project is delivered by a consortium of Dorsch Impact (lead), VNG International, and the Revenue Development Foundation, which provides a short-term expert pool to support anti-corruption reforms, public financial management, climate governance, procurement oversight, and mechanisms to combat illicit financial flows.
Within the consortium, VNG International contributes its core expertise in decentralisation, local public finance, and citizen-centred governance, ensuring that reforms are anchored at the county level and aligned with inclusive service delivery. The project builds on VNG International’s track record in Kenya around strengthening accountable, effective, and inclusive local governments.
Office in Kenya
VNG International Kenya is registered in Kenya as a Trust since July 2025 and we have offices in Nairobi, Garissa Town, Dadaab Municipality and Lodwar.
VNG International is active in the following Counties through its programmes: Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisumu, Kwale, Laikipia, Machakos, Makueni, Marsabit, Narok, Nairobi, Samburu, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Turkana, and Vihiga.
Our staff
Grainne Kidakwa
Resident Programme Manager
Ms. Grainne Kidakwa holds a bachelor’s degree in international Relation and master’s degrees in Armed Conflict and Peace studies and Justice Peace and Cohesion. She has experience in programme and project management, in governance, peace and migration in the Horn of Africa. She joined VNG International in October 2023. She has years of experience working with both local NGOs and INGOs such as Friedrich Ebert Stifstung and Center for Humanitarian Dialogue. She is passionate about positive social change.
Tamrat Getahun
Social Accountability Expert
Mr. Tamrat Getahun has over 15 years of experience in program design, implementation, and evaluation, with a focus on advocacy, governance, and capacity development. He joined VNG International in April 2019 and has led initiatives to strengthen local governance, social accountability, and civic engagement through his previous role as the Partnership and Engagement Lead at VNG International in Ethiopia.
Mercy Machocho
Resident Programme Officer
Ms. Mercy Machocho holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Development and is currently pursuing a master’s in Gender, Women, and Development Studies. With over 9 years of experience in program management, she has designed and implemented impactful humanitarian and development programs. She has worked with FilmAid Kenya, Terre des Hommes Netherlands, and Plan International. She joined VNG International in March 2024.
Ekai Isaiah
Project Officer
Mr. Ekai Isaiah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Sociology. He has over 8 years of experience in resilient livelihoods and project coordination and has worked on USAID-funded initiatives in Kenya. He joined VNG International Kenya in March 2024.
Mr.Abdiaziz Mohamed
Project Officer
Mr. Abdiaziz Mohamed holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and has over 17 years of experience in food security, livelihoods promotion, project coordination, and programming. He previously worked as a Livelihood Coordinator with Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) in Dadaab, Kenya. He joined VNG International in March 2024.
Our address:
Physical Address: Segen Plaza, Riverside Drive, 5th Floor, Nairobi, Kenya