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About us

About SACEP Kenya

Sustainable Agribusiness and Community Empowerment Partnership (SACEP) Kenya is a Kenyan non-governmental organization established in 2016 to promote sustainable development through agribusiness, environmental conservation and community empowerment.

Our background

SACEP Kenya is a local non-governmental organisation established in 2016 under the then NGO Board — now registered as a Public Benefit Organization (PBO). It was founded to respond to persistent challenges of rural poverty, food and nutrition insecurity, and environmental degradation in Kenya.

Kenya's rural communities, especially in arid and semi-arid areas, face interconnected challenges: low agricultural productivity, climate change impacts such as droughts and erratic rainfall, limited access to markets and agribusiness skills, and high poverty among marginalised groups.

SACEP addresses these by promoting climate-smart agriculture, agroecology and community-driven development — strengthening the capacity of smallholder farmers, women, youth and persons living with disabilities to achieve resilient and sustainable livelihoods.

That founding habit became our method. Every programme we run starts with the community in the room, contributes local resources alongside outside support, and leaves the community owning the result.

SACEP Kenya infographic describing collective impact: community members sharing resources, roles and decisions
How the work is organised — communities share resources, understand roles and decide together.

Vision

An empowered, resilient and prosperous society thriving through sustainable agribusiness, environmental stewardship and inclusive community development.

Mission

To enhance climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and socio-economic empowerment of rural communities in Kenya through innovative agribusiness solutions, environmental restoration and capacity building.

SACEP Kenya infographic showing the organisation's vision and approach
The vision and approach, as published by the team.

Read our theory of change

What we stand by

  • PartnershipWe work with communities, government and other organisations — nothing worthwhile is done alone.
  • Community ownershipThe community contributes, decides and keeps the result.
  • Local solutionsPractices built from what works here, not imported answers.
  • Environmental stewardshipSoil, water and trees managed for the long term.
  • Inclusion of women and youthThe people who do most of the farming get the most from it.

Where we work

Based in Tharaka Nithi County, working across Kenya's arid and semi-arid counties — Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Isiolo, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos and Laikipia.

SACEP Kenya area of operation map covering Makueni, Machakos, Kitui, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Isiolo and Laikipia counties with their wards
Our area of operation — counties and wards across Kenya's drylands.

A word from our leadership

Message from the Chair

SACEP Kenya exists because of partnership — communities, a dedicated team, and supporters who share our commitment. Our vision is an organisation that listens, acts with integrity, and puts the people we serve at the heart of its work.

To our staff, volunteers, partners and community members: thank you for your trust. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive future.

Francis ItabariChair, SACEP Kenya

Message from the Director of Programmes

Meaningful change begins with working together. Every SACEP Kenya programme starts by listening to community needs — and ends with the community owning the result.

To our partners and supporters: thank you for your continued commitment. We look forward to achieving more, together.

Joel KithureDirector of Programmes, SACEP Kenya

Our team

Team profiles are published with each person's consent. More staff profiles are being added.

  • Francis Itabari, Chair of SACEP Kenya

    Francis Itabari

    Chair

    francis.itabari@sacepkenya.org

    Francis chairs SACEP Kenya's leadership, championing the partnerships and community trust the organisation is built on.

  • Joel Kithure speaking at a podium

    Joel Kithure

    Director of Programmes

    joel.kithure@sacepkenya.org

    Joel leads SACEP Kenya's programmes across Kenya's dryland communities, working directly with farmer groups, community leaders and county partners on climate-smart agriculture and community empowerment.

Organisation details. Established in 2016 under the NGO Board — now a Public Benefit Organization (PBO) · Post: P.O. Box 24303-00100, Nairobi · P.O. Box 704-60400, Chuka, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya · Email: info@sacepkenya.org · Web: www.sacepkenya.org