Educating communities. Defending rights. Standing with women and youth.
Safe Steps Foundation Kenya helps communities across Kenya know, claim, and defend their rights — working hand in hand with women and youth, and advancing good governance and gender equality.
Rights live in the choices people are able to make in their daily lives.
Safe Steps Foundation Kenya is a human rights educators and defenders organisation working alongside women and youth across Kenya. Founded in 2019 and formally registered in 2023, we help communities know and claim their rights, and we advance good governance and gender equality.
We combine civic and human rights education, grassroots advocacy, and community empowerment to build informed, empowered, and resilient communities capable of driving their own transformation.
Learn more about us →Vision
To build a democratic, peaceful, and inclusive society where all people enjoy equal rights.
Mission
To protect human rights and promote gender equality and inclusive governance by empowering resilient communities through advocacy, strategic partnerships, and community-driven initiatives.
Six thematic pillars
Each pillar addresses a distinct dimension of rights, dignity, and inclusion — and each connects to the others.
Promote Gender Equality & Inclusive Communities
Advancing equal rights and opportunities for women, girls, and marginalised groups, and building communities where everyone belongs.
Protect Democracy, Justice & Human Rights
Educating citizens on their rights and defending them — supporting access to justice and the protection of human rights for all.
Enhance Good Governance & Meaningful Public Participation
Strengthening accountability and transparency, and helping citizens take part in the decisions that shape their lives, including county budgets.
Advance Economic Empowerment & Sustainable Development
Supporting livelihoods, economic resilience, and sustainable development so communities can thrive on their own terms.
Prevent & Respond to Gender-Based Violence
Preventing gender-based violence and standing with survivors through awareness, referral, and community-led protection.
Empower Youth & Women in Leadership & Civic Engagement
Equipping young people and women to lead, organise, and participate fully in civic and public life.
We go deep in fewer places
Three operational regions, each with its own context, partnerships, and programme emphasis.
South Rift · Bomet
Girls' mentorship, women's economic empowerment, rights education, and human rights defender support across Bomet.
Kericho County
Good governance, public participation, and duty bearer engagement through the Haki Ni Yetu project.
Nairobi & National
Policy advocacy, public statements, partner engagement, and national-level human rights work.
What we stand for
The people behind the work
Debra C. Towett
Executive DirectorLeads the organisation and its overall direction.
Lydia Chepngetich
Programmes OfficerRuns our programmes on the ground.
Neria Nyanjama
Communications OfficerShares our story and manages communications.
Clement Maiko
AdvisorProvides strategic guidance and advice.
Florence Sugut
AdvisorProvides strategic guidance and advice.
Find your way around
A quick map of the rest of our work and how to get involved.
Who We Are
Our story, vision, mission, and the people behind the work.
Read more →What We Do
Our six thematic pillars and the programmes behind each one.
Read more →Where We Work
The regions and communities where our programmes run.
Read more →Resources
Publications, research, and project information.
Read more →Gallery
Our work in action, captured in the field.
Read more →Partners
The funders and partners who make our work possible.
Read more →The support behind the work
Our work is made possible through the partnership and support of these organisations.
This work is funded by the European Union through the KIOS Foundation under the Haki Ni Yetu project. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Safe Steps Foundation Kenya and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the KIOS Foundation.
Your support changes lives
Behind every figure on this site is a real person — a girl staying in school, a survivor rebuilding her life, a family with clean water for the first time. Your gift turns our commitment into action on the ground.
We prioritise the most vulnerable in society: persons with disabilities, women, and children. Every contribution, large or small, goes directly into our community programmes.
Talk to us
WhatsApp is the fastest way to reach our team. We respond to every serious enquiry.
Walk with us.
To funders, partners, government counterparts, and communities — we want to hear from you.