KEPSA Foundation in partnership with Mama Doing Good signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 21^st July 2023, at the Office of the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, aimed at co-creating proposals to raise resources for projects that fit the thematic areas under the strategic focus areas for the two organizations.

The MoU also seeks to implement projects that are aimed at enhancing National cohesion and integrity, environmental conservation and climate action, Women Empowerment including family values.

Through this cooperation, both organizations will work together to investigate the feasibility of providing the following services:

• Jointly write proposals with an aim to raise resources to implement the agreed activities on environmental conservation and climate action, women empowerment and family values;
• Review new policies and regulations in priority thematic areas and draft policy briefs to facilitate awareness creation through training and encourage compliance;
• Collaborate in conducting trainings for the private sector on building sustainable businesses;
• Promote business linkages and subcontracting between large and small firms including vulnerable groups; and
• Technical support to businesses in integrating climate change action, women empowerment and family values within business models for sustainability.

The MoU was signed by principals of both organizations; Ms. Gloria Ndekei, O.G.W, Executive Director, KEPSA Foundation and Dr. John K. Chumo, O.G.W, Chief Executive Officer, Mama Doing Good.

Remarks by the KEPSA Foundation Executive Director

In giving her remarks during the meeting, Ms Gloria Ndekei appreciated the partnership between KEPSA Foundation and Mama Doing Good and expressed confidence about the realization of the objectives of the MoU.

Ms. Ndekei noted that clarity and proper structures put in place are essential ingredients to the functioning of any organization and that this was realized before even before the signing of the MoU. While giving a background of the different pillars of the KEPSA Foundation, she further noted that these pillars align to Mama Doing Good initiative. Given that Mama Doing Good is premised on women empowerment, Ms. Ndekei said that KEPSA Foundation would benefit from this as the Foundation has in the past and continues to build capacity for women entrepreneurs and women-led entrepreneurship organizations and engaged in community outreaches programmes and partnerships.

Ms. Ndekei further added that KEPSA Industry and Foundation were involved in the climate change call to action programme on building resilience against drought through ‘Pamoja Tuungane’ initiative spearheaded by the private sector and called for more involvement in such programmes.

Remarks by the CEO, Mama Doing Good

In his remarks, Dr. John K. Chumo thanked the KEPSA Foundation for agreeing to collaborate with Mama Doing Good to harmonize the goals of both organizations.

He noted that the journey of engagement with KEPSA Foundation began in November/December, 2022 and had begun working even before signing of the MoU because of the mutual trust between both organizations and the MoU was signed after due diligence.

Dr. Chumo further noted that the Office of the First Lady carries out complementary duties to the work done by the Office of the President. Mama Doing Good is an initiative started by the First Lady, H.E Mama Rachael Ruto and at the end of the year, they will be celebrating the 15^th anniversary of table banking. 15 years ago, the Hon. First Lady began with ‘Joyful Women’ initiative. Mama Doing Good began 2 years ago and financial inclusion has been the cornerstone of this programme.

He said that 13,800 groups are currently under Mama Doing Good and the programme has expanded across the country with 70-30% women-men ratio of opportunities with livelihood projects incorporating women as the driving force.

Dr. Chumo added that currently, there’s a programme dubbed ‘Karakana’ within Women Economic Empowerment that seeks to empower women, including those serving sentences in prisons to be financially independent and provide for their families while investing in other projects.

While speaking on Environment and Climate action plan, he noted that 500 million out of a targeted 15 billion trees by the President will be planted by Mama Doing Good. The office is partnering with other stakeholders such as spouses of Members of Parliament, First Ladies of County Governments, Churches and schools to achieve the vision 2032 of increased forest cover.

He further added that Mama Doing Good has started engaging with the youth, women and other stakeholders on waste management and turning waste to wealth. Mama Doing Good s equally focused on water management, faith diplomacy and youth whom they are mentoring in 400 schools, with end game being cohesiveness of the society.

Both Dr. Chumo and Ms. Ndekei committed to ensuring the success of the partnership between the respective organizations through the MoU signed.