The story of the Pastoralists Resilience Development Initiative (PAREDI) is a story of transformation, resilience, and unwavering hope—a journey that began in 2009 with the founding of Kisima Baawa Child Development Organisation (KIBA CDO), a small yet passionate local community-based organization in Samburu County.

In a region often overlooked, KIBA CDO emerged as a powerful voice for vulnerable children and women, championing the right to education, leading courageous campaigns against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and gender-based violence, and advancing maternal and child health. With steadfast partnerships with AMREF, USAID, Zizi Afrique Foundation, Pathfinder International, Christian Aid, Strathmore University, the County Government of Samburu, and the National Government of Kenya, KIBA CDO transformed countless lives, nurturing a generation with new dreams and new possibilities.

But as the challenges facing pastoralist communities grew more complex—climate change, shrinking rangelands, deepening poverty, and the need for more resilient livelihoods—so too did the vision of those who led the way.

In 2021, during his PhD studies, Dr. Geoffrey Lelenguyah, himself a son of Samburu and a lifelong advocate for community empowerment, approached KIBA CDO with a bold proposal: to expand the organization’s mission, its reach, and its impact. It was a call to dream bigger, to serve not just children but entire communities, and to weave resilience, sustainability, and hope into every thread of development.

Through careful planning, unwavering dedication, and strong community support, this vision became reality. In June 2024, PAREDI was officially registered as a national Non-Governmental Organization, extending its work across Samburu, Isiolo, Marsabit, Baringo, and Laikipia Counties.

Today, PAREDI stands as a living testament to the power of local action, visionary leadership, and collective resilience. We are more than an organization—we are a movement rooted in community voices, committed to empowering pastoralist families, regenerating landscapes, safeguarding livelihoods, nurturing education, promoting health, and confronting the climate crisis head-on.

At PAREDI, we believe that resilient communities are built not through charity but through partnership, trust, and empowerment. With the support of committed donors and partners, we are helping communities move beyond survival towards a future of dignity, prosperity, and hope.

From the humble wells of Kisima to the vast rangelands of Northern Kenya, our journey continues—stronger, braver, and more determined than ever.