About ARI
A movement born in Kisumu, accountable to the communities it serves.
Afya Rights Initiative was established in 2020 by a small group of youth advocates who refused to accept that quality sexual and reproductive health was a privilege. Five years of grassroots work later, ARI was formally registered in Kenya in 2025 as a community-based organisation, scaling its reach without losing its roots.
Mission
To transform SRHR and GBV systems through accountability, advocacy, and youth power.
Vision
A Kenya where every young person, regardless of geography, gender, or income, accesses dignified, comprehensive health care as a right.
Values
- Rights-basedHealth is a human right, not a favour. Every action begins from that conviction.
- Youth-ledDecisions about young people are made with young people, never about them.
- Community-rootedWe listen first. Communities define the problems and shape the solutions.
- AccountableWe measure honestly, report openly, and welcome scrutiny from those we serve and fund us.
Our journey
From a kitchen table to a county-wide movement.
- 2020Afya Rights Initiative is founded by youth advocates in Kisumu, beginning with peer-led SRHR education in two sub-counties.
- 2021First cohort of 30 youth advocates trained. Community feedback loops with three local health facilities established.
- 2022Girls' education and retention pillar launches. School fees and sanitary pad support reach the first 120 girls.
- 2023First policy memo on county SRHR financing submitted to the Kisumu County Assembly.
- 2024Programs scale to four sub-counties. Annual community dialogues become a fixture across 18 partner sites.
- 2025ARI is formally registered as a community-based organisation in Kenya, opening doors to institutional partnerships.
- 2026Launch of regional advocacy coalition pushing for protected SRHR and GBV budget lines across Nyanza counties.
Where we work
Anchored in Kisumu County.
Our team, board, and partners are based in Kisumu. Our work spans the county's seven sub-counties, with the deepest roots where the data tells us the gap is widest.
Head office Program hub
Tap a sub-county
Join the next chapter.
Whether you fund, volunteer, or amplify the work, you become part of the movement.