Who We Are

Empowering Families, Building a Brighter Future

At United Kenya Rising, we passionately believe in the power of stronger families to create resilient communities and drive positive change. As a dedicated non-profit organization, our mission is to support vulnerable families in our community, helping them rise out of poverty and build a prosperous future. Our efforts contribute to the vision of a better world for all.

Originally known as Kakamega Orphans Care Centre, our organization has evolved to address the broader needs of families in Kakamega and Vihiga counties. By focusing on empowering families, we aim to foster sustainable development and community resilience.

United Kenya Rising is committed to making a lasting impact through comprehensive support programs and initiatives designed to uplift and empower those in need

Our Vision...

A world with children and families living dignified and fulfilled lives in thriving communities.

Our Mission...

To holistically support vulnerable children and families to rise above poverty through enhanced Child Welfare Programs.

Our Core Values

Compasion

Our work is driven by a deep sense of care and empathy. We approach every interaction with kindness, seeking to uplift and support those in need while fostering hope and dignity.

Intergrity

We uphold honesty, transparency, and accountability in all our actions. By maintaining the highest ethical standards, we build trust and credibility with our stakeholders, ensuring that our work remains impactful and honorable.

Collaboration

We recognize that collective effort leads to greater impact. By working together with beneficiaries, partners, and stakeholders, we harness diverse skills and perspectives to achieve sustainable change.

Community Service

We believe that service is a powerful expression of love and leadership. Through dedicated service, we contribute to the well-being of families and communities, fostering a more just and equitable society.

Excellence

We are committed to achieving the highest standards in everything we do. Through continuous improvement, innovation, and dedication, we strive to be a benchmark for family-centered development programs.

Our History

Where we have come from...

We are a newly established organization in name, but our story stretches back more than two decades—rooted in compassion, community, and the spirit of togetherness.

Our journey began in 2001, when the United Society of Friends Women of Kakamega (USFW–Kakamega) started a simple feeding program for less fortunate children at the Kakamega Friends Church. As the program grew, the women began fundraising for school supplies and educational support for the same children.

Their initiative soon caught the attention of partners from the United States, particularly the Friends of Kakamega, leading to the founding of the Kakamega Orphans Care Centre (KOCC) in 2005—a residential care home for vulnerable children.

Over the years, the program evolved into a Charitable Children’s Institution, offering both residential and home-based care. Through KOCC, many children accessed education, healthcare, and mentorship.

By 2019, after careful monitoring and evaluation, we recognized that the best way to support vulnerable children was by strengthening their families. Guided by our CEO, Nelson Ida, we began the transition from residential care to Family Care, reintegrating children back into their homes and supporting entire families through holistic programs. This became our Family Care Model—a community-driven approach focusing on education, livelihoods, health, dignified homes, and agriculture.

In 2020, our U.S. partner organization Friends of Kakamega merged with Crossroads Springs Africa to form Friends of Kenya Rising, who continue to be our core funding partner.

Finally, in 2025, we became United Kenya Rising (UKR)—a fully enacted Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Our transformation from a feeding initiative to a family empowerment movement reflects our belief that lasting change begins at home

Our RoadMap

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