Dr. Idle Omar Farah

This morning, @FCDCKenya had the privilege of engaging the leadership of the @LamuCountyKe on strengthening collaboration and advancing key priorities in Early Childhood Development (ECD) and child protection. Together with the County Director of Children Services, Mr. Juma Boga, and the Executive Director of Lamu Tech Hub, Ms. Latifa Noor, we held consultative meetings with the County Secretary and Head of County Public Service, Hon. Amb. Ali Abass, and the CECM for Education, Hon. Sebastian Owanga. The discussions provided an opportunity to appreciate the County Government’s leadership and support in operationalising the ECD Multi-Sectoral Team. We also sought their continued commitment towards formally anchoring the team within the county government structures and institutionalising quarterly work plans to guide the implementation of interventions under the Nurturing Care Framework. This is an important step towards strengthening coordination, accountability and the delivery of quality, inclusive and integrated ECD services. We were also updated on the progress of the Lamu County Child Protection Policy and preparations for the forthcoming Annual Cultural Festival scheduled for the end of November. We particularly appreciated the County Secretary and the CECM for Education for their leadership in facilitating the approval of the policy by the County Executive. We called for its subsequent adoption by the County Assembly to give it full institutional recognition and provide a sustainable framework for government planning, resource allocation and budgeting for child protection interventions. In a subsequent meeting with the Governor, H.E. Amb. @GovernorTimamy , EGH, we received further encouragement and appreciation for FCDC’s collaborative efforts with the County Government. The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the adoption of the Child Protection Policy and strengthening the centrality of children in the county’s development agenda. We remain grateful to H.E. the Governor and the entire Lamu County leadership for their commitment to advancing the wellbeing, protection and development of children. As part of our continued partnership, @FCDCKenya will join hands with Lamu Tech Hub at the upcoming Annual Cultural Festival to showcase the intersection of technology, culture and learning, building on the successful engagement at last year's festival. Together, we are working towards a future where every child is protected, nurtured and given the opportunity to thrive. #FCDC #LamuCounty #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #ChildProtection #NurturingCare #ChildRights #DigitalLearning #TechnologyAndCulture #CountyPartnerships

Strengthening Early Childhood Development through coordinated action in @LamuCountyKe Today in Lamu, the County Government, Frontier Counties Development Council (@FCDCKenya ), Aga Khan University Institute for Human Development (@akuihd ) and key stakeholders convene for the inception meeting of the Lamu County Early Childhood Development Multisectoral Team. Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Ambassador Ali Abass, County Secretary, welcomed the partnership between Lamu County, FCDC and AKU-IHD and underscored the importance of collaboration and continuous learning within the Multisectoral Team. He encouraged members to remain open to learning from one another, noting that no single institution or individual has all the answers. He also emphasised the importance of sustaining the platform as a practical forum for joint learning and action. Hon. Sebastian Ownanga, CECM for Education, emphasised that early childhood development cannot be addressed by the education sector alone. He called for a shift away from siloed approaches and highlighted the complementary roles of health, nutrition, child protection, social services, community structures and other actors in supporting the whole child. He stressed that getting the early years right creates a stronger foundation for children’s progression through the education system and encouraged all participating institutions to bring their strengths and resources to the process. The engagement is an important step towards strengthening a coordinated, county-led approach to ECD and bringing together actors across education, health, nutrition, child protection, social services and other sectors that shape the wellbeing and development of young children. The Multisectoral Team provides a platform to move from individual sector interventions towards joint planning, evidence-informed decision-making, coordinated implementation, resource mobilisation and shared accountability. This work builds on AKU-IHD/FCDC’s wider ECD systems-strengthening journey across the Frontier Counties, including the regional ECD baseline survey and the FCDC Strategy for Early Childhood Development 2025–2030. As discussions continue today, the focus is on ensuring that coordination translates into practical action that strengthens services and creates better outcomes for children and families across Lamu County.

Strengthening skills for accountable and sustainable livelihoods. @FCDCKenya , through the @RANGEprogramme , is conducting a week-long capacity-strengthening training for marginalized groups across Isiolo, Samburu and Marsabit counties to prepare them for potential small-grant support. We are currently training Tawakaltu Raha Self Help Group in #Kinna Ward, focusing on group governance, inclusive decision-making, financial literacy, budgeting and practical record-keeping. Participants are also gaining knowledge on grant requirements, eligible expenditure, supporting documentation and reporting obligations to promote transparency and accountability in managing group resources. Through practical discussions, the group is identifying gaps, proposing corrective actions and strengthening its readiness for appraisal and potential grant disbursement. Follow-up mentorship by county technical officers and the FCDC programme team will further support the application of these skills. The goal is to empower Tawakaltu Raha Self Help Group with the knowledge and skills needed to responsibly manage resources, implement sustainable livelihood investments and strengthen community resilience. #FCDC #RANGEProgramme #SmallGrantReadiness #KinnaWard #ConflictsensitiveAlternativeLivelihoods – at Kinna, Kenya

@FCDCKenya , through the @RANGEprogramme , has commenced a two-day capacity-strengthening training for Warani Self-Help Group in Laisamis, Marsabit County, aimed at enhancing the group's organizational capacity, financial management skills and readiness for small-grant support. Day One focused on group governance and leadership, financial literacy, financial management and bookkeeping, with practical exercises on recordkeeping, savings, expenditure planning, transparency and accountability. The training is being conducted in collaboration with Marsabit County Government technical officers led by Director Trade, Mr. Hussein Wario. This forms part of RANGE's broader efforts to empower marginalized groups, strengthen sustainable alternative livelihoods and promote peaceful coexistence among pastoralist communities. The second day will focus on entrepreneurship, business development, grant management and accountability, proposal refinement and peacebuilding through alternative livelihoods.

Strengthening skills for accountable and sustainable livelihoods. @FCDCKenya , through the @RANGEprogramme , is undertaking a week long capacity-strengthening training for marginalized groups in Isiolo, Samburu and Marsabit counties to prepare them for potential small-grant support. The training focuses on group governance, inclusive decision-making, financial literacy, budgeting and practical record-keeping. Participants are also being guided on grant requirements, eligible expenditure, supporting documentation and reporting obligations. Through practical discussions, groups are identifying gaps and agreeing on corrective actions to strengthen their readiness ahead of appraisal and any grant disbursement. Follow-up mentorship with county technical officers and the FCDC programme team will support the application of these skills. The aim is to strengthen transparent management of group resources and responsible implementation of proposed livelihood investments. #FCDC #RANGEProgramme #SmallGrantReadiness #conflictsensitivealternativelivelihoods

@FCDCKenya , through the @RANGEprogramme , facilitated an intra-community peace dialogue in Laisamis, Marsabit County, bringing together participants from Laisamis, Loglogo and Kamboe, comprising community elders, women, youth, interfaith representatives and members of the National Government Administration, including the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) and local chiefs. The engagement was conducted in collaboration with the National Government Administration as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen locally owned conflict prevention, community dialogue and peaceful coexistence across the Laisamis landscape. Under RANGE Programme Outcome 3, the dialogue provided an opportunity for community members to reflect on prevailing peace and security concerns, discuss challenges affecting relationships between neighbouring communities and identify practical approaches to strengthening communication, trust and peaceful coexistence. The discussions emphasized the importance of inclusive participation, bringing together traditional leadership, women, youth, religious leaders and government representatives to ensure that community perspectives and priorities inform local peacebuilding processes. Importantly,15 community representatives were selected to participate in the forthcoming merged inter-community peace dialogue, where issues, concerns and recommendations emerging from the separate consultations in Laisamis and Shurr will be brought together for broader discussion, consensus-building and joint action. To further strengthen community communication and local early-warning mechanisms, solar-powered radios, courtesy of Radio Ashe, were distributed to support access to information, timely communication and peace messaging within the landscape. The Laisamis dialogue builds on the earlier engagement held in Shurr and forms part of a wider RANGE-supported peacebuilding process aimed at strengthening community ownership, rebuilding trust and promoting collaborative approaches to conflict prevention. Through the @RANGEprogramme , @FCDCKenya remains committed to strengthening community-led peace structures and building stronger linkages between communities, traditional leadership and government institutions to promote sustainable peace across pastoral landscapes.

On 14th October, the Frontier Counties Development Council (@FCDCKenya ), through the RANGE Programme, engaged the @MarsabitGov ; County Department of Trade, Tourism and Cooperative Development, led by CECM Jeremy Ledany, Chief Officer Mahad Mohamed, and Directors Hussein Kasa and Sarapana Boru, to strengthen collaboration on inclusive economic development. Discussions focused on operationalizing the County Public–Private Partnership (PPP) Policy, reviewing the County Enterprise Fund framework, identifying bankable projects and attracting private-sector investment across priority value chains, including livestock, fisheries, agriculture and tourism. The engagement also explored revitalizing the County Enterprise Fund to expand access to affordable financing for women, youth and marginalized groups, particularly pastoralist youth transitioning from conflict to productive livelihoods. This presents an important opportunity to link peacebuilding with economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. Participants emphasized stronger coordination across county departments, technical collaboration, capacity building, cooperative development and inclusive participation to ensure county policies translate into tangible benefits for communities. Through the @RANGEprogramme , FCDC remains committed to working with Marsabit County Government to strengthen enabling policies, unlock local economic opportunities and promote resilient, peaceful and inclusive development. #FCDC #RANGEProgramme #MarsabitCounty #InclusiveDevelopment #Peacebuilding

BEYOND THE ACTIVITY @FCDCKenya Strengthens Community Land Governance as 10 CLMCs Receive Registration Certificates The milestone under FCDC’s #LSS and #RANGE programmes provides a foundation for stronger community institutions and improved management of communal land. For pastoral communities, land is more than a resource. It sustains livestock, supports livelihoods and connects generations to their cultural heritage. How it is managed can shape both economic opportunities and relationships between neighbouring communities. Ten Community Land Management Committees (CLMCs) have now been registered and issued certificates, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen community land governance across Kenya’s frontier counties. Supported through the Frontier Counties Development Council’s (FCDC) Livestock Sector Strengthening (LSS) and RANGE programmes, the initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen community institutions and promote sustainable management of natural resources. The certificates provide formal recognition of the committees’ registration, establishing a foundation for them to undertake their responsibilities within Kenya’s community land governance framework. Under the Community Land Act, 2016, effective management of community land depends on appropriate governance structures and meaningful participation by community members. For pastoral communities, where access to grazing areas and water is essential to livestock production, these structures are particularly important. Strong community institutions can support more organised decision-making, improve accountability and provide platforms for communities to engage with relevant authorities on issues affecting their land and livelihoods. Through #LSS and @RANGEprogramme RANGE, FCDC works to advance community land governance alongside wider efforts to strengthen pastoral livelihoods, improve natural resource management and promote peaceful coexistence. With the registration process complete, attention now turns to the committees’ ability to fulfil their responsibilities, engage the communities they represent and contribute to effective management of communal resources. The achievement highlights an important dimension of FCDC’s work: strengthening local institutions that can help communities manage shared resources and address common challenges. Beyond the Activity shares the stories behind FCDC’s programme interventions, highlighting what these milestones mean for communities and the broader development of Kenya’s frontier counties.

HAPPENING TODAY IN MARSABIT FCDC joins the launch of the RANGE 3-County Crisis Modifier Mechanism in Sagante/Jaldesa Ward, covering Marsabit, Isiolo & Samburu—using early warnings and agreed triggers to act before climate shocks escalate. #RANGEProgramme #AnticipateActProtect – at Marsabit, Kenya

Our Champions Get Recognised! Great teachers innovate, inspire and create new possibilities for learners. During #WorldTeachersDay, we celebrated three ICT Champions recognised for outstanding contributions to education across FCDC’s frontier counties:

INVESTING IN THE EARLY YEARS: STRENGTHENING MULTI-SECTORAL ACTION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT IN GARISSA The foundation of human capital is built in the earliest years of life. In Garissa County, that foundation is increasingly being strengthened through a deliberate shift towards coordinated, evidence-informed and multi-sectoral action on Early Childhood Development (ECD). Today, the Governor’s Boardroom in Garissa brought together the County and National Governments, UN agencies, development partners, civil society and faith-based organisations for the 3rd ECD Multi-Sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) inception meeting. Presided over by H.E. @DaganeAbdiM , Deputy Governor of Garissa County, the meeting marked an important milestone in the institutionalisation of the ECD TWG as a coordination and accountability platform for advancing the ECD agenda in the county. The TWG is envisioned as a mechanism to strengthen joint planning and implementation, advance adoption of the Nurturing Care Framework, coordinate and pool resources, mobilise support to address priority gaps, and advocate for sustained and equitable investment in the early years. For the Frontier Counties Development Council (@FCDCKenya ), this represents an important step in translating the region’s shared commitment to human capital development into coordinated action at county level. Through its partnership with the Aga Khan University Institute for Human Development (@akuihd ), @FCDCKenya has supported the strengthening of ECD systems across the Frontier Counties through the regional ECD baseline survey, development of the regional ECD plan, and piloting of county-level ECD Technical Working Groups. Dr. Amin of AKU-IHD emphasised the importance of viewing ECD not merely as a social service, but as a strategic development investment. The quality of care, nutrition, learning, health and protection that children receive in their earliest years has profound implications for lifelong learning, wellbeing and human capital development. The meeting also provided an opportunity to share learning from the PREPARE Study — Promoting Climate Resilience, Preparedness, Adaptation and Response for the Enhancement of Maternal and Child Well-being in Garissa County. The initiative is examining how climate change affects vulnerable populations and how locally responsive approaches can strengthen resilience and wellbeing among mothers and children. Crucially, the discussions moved from commitment to action. Stakeholders agreed to formalise the ECD TWG framework and Terms of Reference through the County Executive Committee; develop sector-specific and joint workplans, action plans and implementation matrices; strengthen coordination and accountability across sectors and partners; identify and mobilise resources to address priority ECD gaps; and sustain advocacy for integrated, equitable and evidence-informed investment in the early years. These commitments reinforce an important principle: ECD cannot be delivered by one sector, institution or partner alone. It requires government leadership, community ownership, evidence, financing and sustained collaboration across health, nutrition, education, social protection, water and sanitation, child protection, climate resilience and other interconnected areas. @FCDCKenya appreciates the County Government of Garissa, National Government agencies, UN agencies, development partners, civil society, faith-based organisations and all stakeholders whose commitment is helping to build stronger systems for children and families across the Frontier Counties. The early years are the foundation of the future. By investing together today, we can give every child in Garissa—and across the Frontier Counties—a stronger opportunity to survive, learn, thrive and reach their full potential. #FCDC #ECD #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #Garissa #HumanCapital #NurturingCare #FrontierCounties

From the classroom to the ballot box! At Bishop Mahon Primary & Junior School in Turkana County, one of the first cohort schools under the @FCDCKenya - @RaspberryPi_org Digital Learning Programme, learners recently embraced technology to elect a new School President following the transition of the previous President to KJSEA. Using a digital voting application, learners cast their votes electronically, with results displayed live on the school’s smart board, allowing the student community to follow the process as it unfolded. Beyond the election itself, the experience offered a practical lesson in participation, transparency, accountability and responsible use of technology. At @FCDCKenya , we believe digital learning should go beyond the classroom. It should empower learners to apply technology to real-life situations, build confidence and develop the digital skills they need to lead and thrive in an increasingly connected world.