Over 90,000 Lives Through Water, Health, and Jobs Initiatives In Britam Investments

More than 92,000 people have been reached by Britam through its strategic investments in water access, maternal health, environmental restoration and enterprise development even as 1,358 secured opportunities across the East Africa region since 2024

This has been revealed by the foundation’s impact report which highlights water access as the Foundation’s flagship intervention, with solar-powered boreholes and hygiene education programmes benefiting learners and communities in 70 schools across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

In arid counties such as Kitui and Kajiado, where water scarcity has historically forced pupils to spend hours fetching water, rehabilitated solar boreholes now yield an average of 9,291 litres per day, eliminating operating costs for schools and freeing learners to focus on education.

Schools including Mutendea Comprehensive School in Kitui and Olmapinu Primary School in Kajiado report that pupils now save an average of 5.9 hours per week previously spent collecting water. The improvement has contributed to a 15.4 per cent rise in school enrolment, as attendance stabilised and water-related illnesses declined.

To ensure sustainability, the Foundation has also established 21 school health clubs to promote hygiene education and oversee system maintenance.

The gains come amid persistent water insecurity in Kenya. According to UNICEF, only 59 per cent of Kenyans have access to safe drinking water, dropping to 56 per cent in rural areas, where Britam Foundation focuses much of its work. Ministry of Water data show that nearly 28 million Kenyans lack reliable access to safe water, often forcing households to purchase water at prices up to 52 times higher than piped supply rates.

“Water is not philanthropy, it is development infrastructure,” said Britam Group Managing Director and CEO Tom Gitogo.

“Our investment in solar water projects reduces operational burdens on schools, channelling scarce resources back into teaching and learning. This strengthens the future workforce and creates a virtuous cycle where resilient communities also become more stable markets.”

The report also outlines progress under the Lea Salama Maternal Health Programme, implemented in partnership with Carolina for Kibera and Malaika in Nairobi’s Kibera informal settlement.

The programme supported 305 uninsured expectant mothers, with 97 per cent achieving skilled deliveries and an average of six antenatal visits per mother, double the national median. Ninety-four per cent of participating households reported reduced pregnancy-related costs, while 97 per cent of infants received first vaccinations, surpassing national immunisation benchmarks.

Kenya’s maternal mortality ratio stands at 355 deaths per 100,000 live births, rising to 706 per 100,000 in informal settlements such as Kibera. Ministry of Health data attribute 80 per cent of maternal deaths to poor quality of care, a gap the Foundation seeks to address through a prevention-focused model combining community health workers, digital health platforms and facility-based deliveries.

“Our stability is intrinsically linked to the stability of the communities we serve,” said Britam Foundation Board Chair Peter Munga. “By investing in health, education, environment and entrepreneurship, we are building resilience that sustains both society and business.”

Environmental conservation emerged as a major job creation pillar, with the Foundation’s partnership with Jumbo Charge Trust restoring more than 444 acres of the Mt Elgon water tower. The initiative planted 86,000 indigenous trees in Mt Elgon alone and supported 1,358 jobs through seed sourcing, nursery operations and planting activities.

In total, 95,235 trees have been planted under the Foundation’s Environment pillar. Mt Elgon, one of Kenya’s five critical water towers, currently has forest cover below five per cent, threatening water supply for surrounding counties and downstream ecosystems feeding Lakes Turkana and Victoria.

The programme also supported 105 local nursery businesses, strengthening informal enterprises at a time when youth unemployment remains high. Kenya’s NEET rate stands at 15 per cent among youth aged 15–24, with women disproportionately affected.

Britam Foundation Director Catherine Karita said the organisation’s approach focuses on addressing multiple dimensions of vulnerability simultaneously.

“True impact is measured not by intent, but by lives changed and futures secured,” she said. “Our work intentionally bridges our four pillars, recognising that sustainable change happens when health, education, environment and livelihoods are addressed together.”

The Foundation operates through a structured funding model in which Britam Holdings PLC commits one per cent of annual profit after tax to community investment. Its programmes align with key Sustainable Development Goals, including those on health, education, clean water, decent work and climate action.

The Foundation says the integrated approach reflects a deliberate effort to align corporate investment with global development priorities while responding to locally identified needs.