ENAF Joins Kenyan Women for Peace to Champion a Violence-Free Election

12 October, 2026 ENAF Communications

Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) President/CEO, Dr. Jennifer Riria, joined women leaders for the launch of Kenyan Women for Peace (KWP) ahead of the 2027 General Elections. Delivering a message of unity, Dr. Riria reminded the assembly: “Sisterhood is global. If you are not at the table, no one will hear you.” She underscored that stability requires grassroots action under ENAF’s banner “Peace Starts with Me,” supported by ENAF’s Running to Win capacity-building programme and financial preparedness through the Democracy Trust Fund (DTF).

As KWP prepares a national Women’s Situation Room to mitigate electoral violence, Dr. Riria warned that Kenya could take 120 years to achieve gender parity without accelerated momentum. She urged leaders to ground their work in commitment, self-drive, resilience, and legacy.

Organizational News

Liberty Life Celebrates Customer Service Week with ENAF

12 October, 2026 ENAF Communications

Liberty Life Celebrates Customer Service Week with ENAF

Liberty Life Business Development Executive Titus Kipngetich (L) and Business Development Manager Collins Bukachi (2nd L) present a cake to ENAF Chief of Party Sarah Muhoya (2nd R) to commemorate Customer Service Week. Looking on are ENAF People & Culture Team Lead Catherine Nganga (C) and Executive Assistant Elizabeth Kavata (R).

Liberty Life has been an ENAF partner for more than a decade, not only offering insurance services but also providing valuable training on financial wellness. ENAF deeply values this continued collaboration and excellent service.

Championing Freedom and Dignity: ENAF Celebrates International Day of the Girl Child 2026

11 October, 2026 ENAF Communications

Championing Freedom and Dignity: ENAF Celebrates International Day of the Girl Child 2026

Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) joins the global community in celebrating girls on this International Day of the Girl Child.

The world over, girls have been subjected to unnecessary burdens that have come in the way of progress. While some notable strides have been made, much more remains undone in the fight against barriers that continue to hold girls back: FGM, early marriages, teenage pregnancies and period poverty.

On this International Day of the Girl Child, ENAF urges all people of goodwill to take action, however small, to end these harmful practices and help girls everywhere to enjoy their God-given freedom and dignity.

Blue Economy & Climate Action Organizational News

Safeguarding Kenya’s Forest Cover: ENAF Partners with Local Communities for Mazingira Day

10 October, 2026 ENAF Communications

Safeguarding Kenya’s Forest Cover: ENAF Partners with Local Communities for Mazingira Day

Happy Mazingira Day!

Dr Jennifer Riria, President of Echo Network Africa Foundation, wishes to remind Kenyans of the key role that girls and women play in the protection of the environment. Together we can safeguard Kenya’s forest cover.

This Mazingira Week, Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) recognises women, young women and girls as leaders and agents of environmental action. A healthy environment is deeply connected to women’s lives, livelihoods, dignity and future. ENAF champions the message that women are powerful environmental actors who build climate-resilient livelihoods, rather than simply being beneficiaries of environmental programmes.

Putting this core message into practice, ENAF facilitated a community-led tree planting exercise on Friday, 9th October. The successful coordination of the day was driven by the ENAF Local Implementing Partner (LIP), Jivunie Vismart CBO, who actively mobilised the Rafiki Women Group to take the lead in restoring their local environment. This active participation highlights that when women have the opportunity to shape how natural resources are managed, the benefits extend to households, communities and future generations.

This impactful event was made possible through a valuable collaboration with the Kenya Scouts Association, Kilifi Branch. ENAF highly values this partnership, which saw the Association generously donate 100 indigenous tree seedlings to support the restoration efforts. By providing these essential resources, the Kenya Scouts Association demonstrated a shared commitment to advancing women’s agency and building sustainable ecosystems alongside local communities.

Organizational News

AWLN Convenes Global Forum at the 81st UN General Assembly, Advancing Women’s Leadership in Global Governance

6 October, 2026 ENAF Communications

The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Convenes Global Forum at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), Advancing Women’s Leadership in Global Governance

Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) President & CEO, Dr. Jennifer Riria, serves as the Chairperson of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) for both the Kenya and East Africa Chapters. We are pleased to share this global update from the recent AWLN Forum at UNGA81, reflecting our shared commitment to advancing women’s leadership.

The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), in partnership with the African Union (AU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and UN Women, convened the AWLN Global Forum on Women’s Leadership in New York on 26 September 2026, on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81).

The high-level gathering brought together more than 300 African women leaders from across the continent and the diaspora, African Heads of State and Government, former Presidents and AWLN Elders, senior African Union and United Nations officials, women leaders, development partners, financial institutions and private sector executives.

Among the distinguished participants were H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, AWLN Patron and former President of the Republic of Liberia; AWLN Elders, including H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, H.E. Joyce Banda and H.E. Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim; H.E. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; H.E. Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa; Ms. Diene Keita, Executive Director of UNFPA, Ms. Aissata De, Regional Director a.i. UNDP RBA and H.E. Madam Bineta Diop, AWLN Co-Convener.

At the heart of the Forum was a forward-looking question: What should African women’s leadership look like over the next decade, and what will it take to ensure women have the power and resources to shape Africa’s future?

H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf set the tone alongside H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi and H.E. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, underscoring a shared message: in today’s rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, women’s leadership is not simply a matter of representation, it is a necessity.

Moderated by Folly Bah Thibault, Senior News Anchor at Al Jazeera English, the Leadership Dialogue brought together AWLN Elders H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, H.E. Joyce Banda and H.E. Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim to draw on their experiences at the highest levels of political leadership. The panel explored the realities of exercising political authority, navigating periods of national and economic transformation, building solidarity among women leaders and creating pathways for the next generation. The dialogue underscored that increasing women’s representation remains essential, but representation must translate into meaningful influence, institutional authority and the ability to shape decisions.

Institutional representatives, including Ms. Aissata De, Mme Bineta Diop and Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, emphasised the need to move beyond representation towards real influence, with women shaping continental and global agendas. Resource mobilisation emerged as a key priority, with calls for sustained investment in women leaders, women-led initiatives, and the institutions, networks and partnerships that enable women to lead and exercise influence.

The private sector was highlighted as an essential partner in this effort. Contributions from Aisha Maina, Marie Celeste Bagniakana, Ndeye Thiaw, Anta Babacar Ngom, Kadijah Amoah and Abigail Ony Nwaohuocha reinforced the importance of stronger partnerships, investment in women-led enterprises, greater access to capital and concrete corporate action to expand women’s economic leadership.

In a significant step towards strengthening AWLN’s global engagement and long-term sustainability, Aisha Maina, CEO of Aquarian Consult Limited and known for high impact initiatives, was appointed the Network’s first-ever Global Ambassador. Her mandate will focus on consolidating AWLN’s achievements, expanding strategic partnerships, strengthening resource mobilisation and amplifying the Network’s visibility and impact across Africa and globally.

The gathering also celebrated the contributions of Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, the new United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, formerly the Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, who received the AWLN Achievement Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership, distinguished service and steadfast commitment to advancing women’s leadership and Africa’s development. H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde presented the award.

The High-Level Plenary, featuring Minister Monica Mutsvangwa of Zimbabwe, H.E. Liberata Mulamula, AUC Special Envoy on WPS, and Hon. Lesego Chombo of Botswana, underscored the need to move from representation to action. Drawing on experiences from their respective countries, leaders called for stronger political commitment, adequate financing and greater investment in women’s leadership, mentorship and intergenerational pathways, alongside accelerated national processes towards the signature, ratification and implementation of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG).

The Global Forum was preceded by a pre-Forum reception on 25 September, featuring the launch by Madam Bineta Diop and Ms. Diene Keita, of the second edition of the Positive Masculinity initiative, with UNFPA as lead partner, alongside a campaign to accelerate the signature and ratification of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG).

The Forum was also an opportunity to celebrate UN Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed in the spirit of African culture and tradition, recognising her leadership and significant contributions to advancing gender equity within the United Nations.

As global governance continues to evolve, the Forum underscored the importance of ensuring that African women are not only just present in the spaces where decisions are made but are equipped with the agency, influence and resources to help shape the decisions that will define the next decade.

About AWLN

The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), established in 2017 with the support of the African Union and the United Nations, is a continental platform advancing women’s leadership for peace, governance and sustainable development. Through its 39 National Chapters, intergenerational leadership model, strategic partnerships and advocacy, AWLN strengthens women’s political participation, fosters peer learning and collaboration, and supports current and future generations of African women leaders across the continent.

Financial Inclusion YISA

Owning the Lake: The Women Rewriting the Rules of Aquaculture

30 September, 2026 ENAF Communications

Owning the Lake: The Women Rewriting the Rules of Aquaculture

For generations of women living along the shores of Lake Victoria, economic survival in the fishing industry often meant navigating a deeply entrenched system of exploitation. Wida Akinyi, a resident of Mulukoba Beach in Busia County, knows this harsh reality firsthand. As a member of the Bukani Mama Toto Group, Wida experienced a restrictive culture that deliberately kept women away from direct production, forcing them to rely on the “Jaboya” system just to secure fish for basic trading.

“We were completely at their mercy, there was a culture where you could not even buy fish to sell unless you traded your dignity with the boat owners. We were kept at the absolute bottom, with no voice and no way out,” Wida recalls.

The turning point for Wida and her community arrived through the Youth in Sustainable Aquaculture (YISA) program. This initiative provided the Bukani Mama Toto Group, a women-led aquaculture enterprise, with the critical infrastructure needed to transition from vulnerable traders to empowered cage fish farmers.

“When the Youth in Sustainable Aquaculture program arrived, it rewrote our story,” Wida explains. “Through KES 4.5 million revolving loan fund, we received a 28-foot boat, quality feeds, and fingerlings. We were finally given the power to farm our own fish and control our own destiny.”

This KES 4.5 million investment was more than just funding; it was a complete toolkit for commercial independence. To ensure the women could command the waters safely and competitively, they were equipped with heavy infrastructure, including a secure fish cage fitted with reflectors, a motorized engine boat, and modern tools like solar lighting, oxygen meters, and a CCTV system.

Beyond the hardware, the initiative breathed life into their new enterprise by supplying 35,000 tilapia fingerlings alongside a full cycle of specialized fish feeds. With their local security costs covered and their entire stock fully insured, the group finally had the safety net required to step out of survival mode and run a thriving business.

Taking ownership of the waters: Wida Akinyi inspects the Bukani Mama Toto Group’s fish cage at Mulukoba Beach following a feeding session.

The shift from dependency to ownership has yielded incredible financial results. By breaking the traditional barriers that denied women access to the lake, the group successfully completed one full harvest cycle. During this production phase, the women harvested approximately 6.720 tonnes of tilapia. Proving their capacity to operate at a corporate level, the group successfully secured a market for their produce, selling the entire yield for KES 2,029,400.00.

“Because the initial capital was a loan, we made sure to pay back every shilling of the principal and interest,” Wida notes proudly. “The profits we kept went straight into our table banking to uplift one another, and we immediately reinvested to multiply our stock in the water.”

The Bukani Mama Toto Group is focused on long-term sustainability and continuous growth. Following their highly successful first harvest, the group immediately reinvested in their enterprise by restocking their fish cage with 35,000 tilapia fingerlings in November 2025.

Currently, Wida and her team are meticulously managing their stock as they approach their next major harvest in August 2026. The socio-economic impact on their households has already been profound.

“As we speak today, our children are in class with a zero fee balance,” Wida shares. “Not a single child is being sent home. For the first time, we have a voice and real economic power in this village. We no longer beg; we stand entirely on our own.”

Through the strategic support of the YISA program, the women of Bukani Mama Toto are no longer waiting on the shorelines. They are actively commanding their own economic futures and building a lasting legacy for the next generation.

Organizational News Women's Leadership, Political Participation & Governance

The Echo Effect: From Kenya to the rest of Africa

23 September, 2026 ENAF Communications

The Echo Effect: From Kenya to the rest of Africa

Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) held its inaugural South-to-South Pan-African Dialogue on Women’s Leadership on September 17, 2026. The virtual dialogue brought together more than 200 participants from eleven countries, most of whom were from Africa. The dialogue focused on the theme: “Women to the Seat, On the Seat, Beyond the Seat.” Speaking at the event, Dr. Jennifer Riria, ENAF’s President and CEO, anchored the dialogue in the “Echo effect,” the idea that a solution developed in one community can be easily replicated in other countries on the continent, hence the ‘Echo’ effect. Setting a tone of fierce urgency, Dr. Riria challenged the continent with the shocking question: “Are we prepared to wait 120 to 150 years for Africa to close the gender gap?” Dr. Riria emphasized that “girls and women are central to societal transformation. The future of Africa is its women, and it is time we stand together, step forward, and boldly declare that we will lead Africa.”

Dr. Jennifer Riria, President and CEO of ENAF, delivering her opening keynote address

Other notable speakers included Dr. Angelina Mattijo-Bazugba, Founding Director of the National Transformational Leadership Institute (NTLI) in South Sudan, who spoke extensively on affirmative action. Others included Dr. Oliver Waindi of Uraia Trust (Kenya), who spoke on trends in governance and women’s inclusion; Ms. Mercy Mwangi of KEWOPA (Kenya) on legislative mastery; Dr. Mufuliat Dasola Fijabi of International IDEA (Nigeria), who spoke about resource mobilization; Mrs. Jeannette Uwizeye of FECCLAHA (Kenya) on electoral security; and Ms. Juliana Kiio of DTF (Kenya) on campaign financing. At the end of the dialogue, participants agreed that representation is a doorway, influence is the destination, and no woman should have to build a political career alone. They also agreed that Africa already has many of the experiences needed to inform the next generation of women’s leadership programs and committed to adapting these cross-border solutions to support candidates across the continent.

The inaugural webinar is part of the ENAF Expansion initiative, which seeks to extend the ENAF model of development and women-centric approaches to other countries on the continent, hence the South-to-South dialogue. By creating a regular space for practical exchange, ENAF aims to build a platform for sharing, learning, and unlearning, as well as to provide indigenous solutions to systemic leadership challenges as it expands its regional footprint.

Panelists and moderator of the Inaugural South-to-South Pan-African Dialogue on Women’s Leadership, held on 17th September 2026

Watch the full recording of the Inaugural Pan-African Dialogue on Women’s Leadership on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/9NM4x2tJY_k

Peace & Conflict Resolution

International Day of Peace: ENAF Calls for Proactive, Grassroots Action Ahead of 2027

21 September, 2026 ENAF Communications

International Day of Peace: ENAF Calls for Proactive, Grassroots Action Ahead of 2027

To mark the International Day of Peace 2026, Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) joined fellow Kenyans, national peace actors, security agencies, and civil society at Prestige Plaza in Nairobi. In a colourful event under the global theme “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” ENAF’s President and CEO, Dr. Jennifer Riria, emphasized the importance of Kenya’s peace preparedness ahead of the 2027 General Election. Addressing a high-level convening that included the National Steering Committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management; the National Police Service; and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Dr. Riria challenged stakeholders to shift from reactive emergency responses to proactive, community-led peacebuilding. “Peace is not something we inherit automatically,” Dr. Riria told the assembled peace actors and duty bearers. “Every generation must choose it, protect it, and invest in it”.

ENAF President and CEO Dr. Jennifer Riria delivering her remarks on the importance of proactive, community-led peacebuilding at the International Day of Peace 2026 convening in Nairobi.

In alignment with this call for local action, ENAF continues to drive grassroots peacebuilding through its flagship program, the Tuvuke Initiative. This year alone, ENAF reached nearly 16,000 individuals across five counties, actively training 52 Women Peace Champions to help identify emerging tensions, facilitate dialogue, and connect affected community members to appropriate support. Using simple but effective tools like WhatsApp networks, local safe desks, Nyumba Kumi elders, and the 1195 gender-based violence hotline, these women are actively mediating local conflicts, identifying protection concerns, and referring survivors to appropriate services. Crucially, ENAF has expanded this grassroots network by working directly with local boda boda operators, empowering them to resist political manipulation and work alongside the women champions to keep their neighborhoods safe.

Demonstrating this commitment during the event, peace actors including boda boda riders signed the Tuvuke Initiative Peace Charter, a voluntary public commitment where they pledged to respect the rule of law, protect women and girls, and serve as trusted peace ambassadors.

To ensure these frontline peace actors have the support they require to safely and effectively carry out their work, ENAF is actively advocating for structural support from local authorities. ENAF continues to challenge local police and security agencies to provide Women Peace Champions with direct, 24-hour contact lines, ensuring that when a mother calls for help late at night, the phone is actually answered. Furthermore, ENAF urges the public, particularly the youth and boda boda riders, to be careful about the media they consume, asking them to verify information before forwarding inflammatory videos or voice notes on WhatsApp. Dr. Riria concluded her participation by joining fellow leaders in launching “The Dear Kenya Peace Campaign” and signing the official Commitment to Peace pledge, cementing ENAF’s commitment to inclusive, community-led peacebuilding and social cohesion.

A group photograph of stakeholders, including ENAF leadership, security agencies, and national peace actors who attended the event.

Organizational News

ENAF Marks 44 Years of Impact and 100% National Coverage as 2025 Annual Report is Presented at 2026 AGM

28 August, 2026 ENAF Communications

ENAF Marks 44 Years of Impact and 100% National Coverage as 2025 Annual Report is Presented at 2026 AGM

Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) presented its 2025 Annual Report and Financial Statements at its 2026 Annual General Meeting on Friday, 28 August, marking 44 years of catalysing sustainable development, women’s leadership, and social equity across Africa. Navigating a dynamic development landscape, the Foundation recorded a 94 percent programmatic performance mark and expanded its operational footprint across all 47 counties in Kenya.

View Annual Report

Throughout 2025, the Foundation directly impacted 86,917 beneficiaries, with young women accounting for 52 percent of the reach. Key interventions unlocked KES 89.4 million in revolving loan funding to create 10,241 youth jobs, enabled aquaculture enterprises along Lake Victoria to harvest over 25,000 kg of fish, and deployed 16 Mobile Science Laboratories alongside 16 Hesabu Clubs to advance girls’ STEM education.

“Investing in women’s leadership is not only a matter of equity but a strategic imperative for building peaceful, prosperous, and resilient societies,” noted Board Chairperson Verity Nyagah, commending management for prudent stewardship and institutional resilience.

Reaffirming the institution’s readiness for continental expansion following its US 501(c) registration, President and CEO Dr. Jennifer Riria highlighted the power of collective resolve. “When women rise, mountains move! From economic empowerment and peacebuilding to girls’ STEM education and women’s political leadership, we are witnessing our founding vision become a living reality across Africa,” Dr. Riria affirmed.

View Annual Report

ENAF Annual Report 2025 Download

Blue Economy & Climate Action

World Lake Day 2026: Protecting Our Lakes, Sustaining Our Livelihoods Through Women-Led Fish Farming

27 August, 2026 ENAF Communications

World Lake Day 2026: Protecting Our Lakes, Sustaining Our Livelihoods Through Women-Led Fish Farming

Lakes are vital lifelines for food security and local economies across Kenya and East Africa, yet pollution and environmental degradation continue to threaten freshwater ecosystems. Through our Blue Economy and Climate Action programming, Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) supports lakeside communities, particularly women, to build sustainable livelihoods while safeguarding our waters.

In Homa Bay, Busia, Siaya, and Kisumu Counties, we support women-led fish farming groups with durable modern cages and solar-powered water harvesting equipment, alongside practical mentorship in environmental stewardship. This enables grassroots producers to manage viable enterprises while actively conserving local lakes.

Alongside responsible fish farming, community-led beach clean-ups keep shorelines free of plastic waste to protect aquatic breeding grounds. This World Lake Day, ENAF remains committed to partnering with national and county governments, development actors, and grassroots participants to protect and conserve lake ecosystems for the communities that depend on them.

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