About Violet Mbiti Foundation
About Us
Who we are
The Violet Mbiti Foundation (VMF) is a Kenyan locally led organization working to build healthier, more inclusive, accountable and resilient communities.
Our work sits at the intersection of Primary Health Care, governance, gender equity, youth empowerment, climate action and inclusive economic development.
We believe sustainable change happens when communities have the knowledge, evidence, leadership, voice and opportunities to influence the systems that shape their lives.
We therefore connect community participation, evidence generation, leadership development, policy advocacy, public finance accountability and practical solutions.
Our Journey
Our work began with youth health advocacy and community engagement, including engagement through Youth Projects Kenya in the JI-ACTIVATE project.
Over the years, this experience evolved into work on health accountability, Primary Health Care financing, public participation, county planning, policy advocacy, gender-responsive approaches and evidence generation.
Our experience has taught us that health cannot be separated from the wider systems that influence people's wellbeing.
Governance affects resources.
Resources affect services.
Gender affects access and opportunity.
Climate affects health and livelihoods.
Household energy affects health and the environment.
Community participation affects accountability.
This understanding has shaped VMF's integrated approach to systems change.
What We Believe
We believe that:
- Communities should have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their lives.
- Women and young people should be leaders and decision-makers, not only beneficiaries.
- Evidence and lived experience should inform policy and public investment.
- Public resources should respond to community priorities and be accountable to citizens.
- Health, gender, climate and economic wellbeing are interconnected.
- Locally led African solutions should be supported to grow and influence wider systems.
- Sustainable change requires collaboration across sectors.
How We Create Change
01 — Listen
We listen to communities and understand lived experiences, priorities and barriers.
02 — Generate Evidence
We use research, data and community knowledge to identify systemic challenges.
03 — Build Leadership
We strengthen women, youth, civil society and community actors to lead change.
04 — Convene
We bring together communities, government, civil society, researchers and other stakeholders.
05 — Influence
We use evidence and citizen voice to influence policies, plans and public resources.
06 — Build Solutions
We support practical and locally relevant solutions.
07 — Learn & Scale
We document lessons and support approaches that can be adapted and expanded.
Vision
A Kenya where all people, especially women, young people and marginalized communities, can live healthy, dignified and resilient lives and meaningfully influence the systems and decisions that affect them.
Mission
To strengthen communities and institutions through evidence, leadership, policy advocacy and locally led solutions that advance health, gender equity, accountable governance, climate resilience and inclusive economic opportunity.
Our Values
Community Ownership
We put communities at the centre of change.
Inclusion
We promote meaningful participation and leadership for women, youth and marginalized groups.
Integrity
We act transparently and responsibly.
Evidence
We value research, data and lived experience.
Collaboration
We believe complex challenges require collective action.
Accountability
We promote responsible leadership and accountable public institutions.
Innovation
We support locally relevant solutions.
Sustainability
We pursue lasting social, economic and environmental impact.
