IMPACT is a community development organization, focusing primarily on peace building, human rights, governance, land rights and policy advocacy. We are specialized and experienced in working with socially excluded groups, specifically Indigenous Peoples such as pastoralist and hunter-gatherer communities. In addition, IMPACT addresses issues relating to intra-community marginalization, which mainly affect women, youth and blacksmiths. 

 

The organization was founded in 2002 in direct response to the increasing human rights violations against pastoralist communities throughout Laikipia District. It was subsequently registered in 2003 as a community-based organization under the Ministry of Culture and Social Services. In a strategic and deliberate effort to meet communities’ growing demands, IMPACT later became a registered trust. 

 

IMPACT works with pastoralist communities to address the major problems faced by minorities and Indigenous Peoples as defined by the Kenyan Constitution in article 260, by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights where IMPACT has been granted observer status, as well as by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and by the International Labour Organization’s Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention. 

 

In this regard, IMPACT has primarily tackled the loss of land rights, historical land injustices and the exploitation of resources without participation of or accruing benefits to indigenous peoples. 

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Secondly, IMPACT has keenly tackled challenges relating to government-based development policies, social exclusion, corporate injustices and discrimination – issues that continue to undermine the dignity of indigenous people and minorities in Northern Kenya. IMPACT’s work targets counties of Northern Kenya, including Laikipia, Isiolo, Samburu, Marsabit and some parts of Turkana.