About Us

Merti Integrated Development programme (MID-P) was formed when Action Aid Kenya
(AAK) phased out its Merti Development Area programme in the year 2000. Its mandate
was to coordinate self improvement actions by various community-based groups in Merti
initially supported by AAK. As part of its growth plan MID-P was registered as a national
NGO in 2003 with NGO coordination bureau. From 2005 it attracted funding from other
donors notably International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) and Cordaid.
Since its establishment, MID-P has developed a strong and robust regional outlook built
over the last 18 years on a foundation of trust and community-driven development
approaches. MID-P works through strategic and carefully selected partnerships throughout
the Isiolo County. Further, MID-P works closely with the County government and various
National government departments and agencies.
MID-P strongly believes in the ability of communities to identify and prioritise their needs,
and with a little external support, pursue their own home-grown solutions to these needs.
MID-P believes that systemic and enduring change is possible when communities are able to
initiate and drive their own development agenda, work with governments and other actors
to access basic rights and services, as well as harnessing and growing their own resources.
MID-P therefore invests in enhancing organized community-led initiatives to create a firm
basis for sustainable development and social justice.
Developing this strategic plan begun with the review of policy documents (national and
county governments) and MID-P policy documents, which culminated into a 2-days strategic
planning workshop which brought together internal and external stakeholders. The planning
team reviewed old strategic plan, scanned external and internal environment and identified
strategic issues and suggested programmes for the next five years.

Vision
“An empowered, equitable and resilient society in Northern Kenya.”
Mission
MID-P exists to facilitate and co-ordinate sustainable community development initiatives and promote good governance.
Core Values
MID-P believes in respect for human rights for all, and their ability to determine and drive their own sustainable development agenda.
• Integrity: We conduct our operations in a transparent, honest and accountable manner
• Team work: We are dedicated to team work, collaboration and networking in achieving
desired results
• Equity and respect for Diversity: We treat all people with dignity, respect and fairness;
• Building Relationships: We strive to connect with our partners, collaborators and
communities to drive success.
• Innovation: We are committed to support innovation, develop products and services and
promote them for the benefit of the vulnerable in the society especially youth, women and
persons with disabilities.
• Professionalism: We embody professionalism in how we implement internal processes;
interact with our stakeholders and beneficiaries by upholding the highest standards in the world.

Strategic Programme Issues
The following are the strategic issues which will inform MID-P programme focus
• Abundant and largely unexploited natural resource potential in northern Kenya. MID-P
should partner with government, research institutions and private sectors to promote
sustainable exploitation of natural products by community groups as livelihood diversification
measure.
• Degradation of natural resources due to climate change and resource-based conflict. MID-P
should work with government and traditional authorities to promote sustainable natural
resource use and inter community protocol to share resources and resolve conflicts.
• Limited involvement of county governments and communities in national flagship projects
earmarked for ASAL areas (e.g. Resort city, mega dam, LAPPSET) affecting future land use
patterns, bio diversity, social cohesion and cultural heritage. MID-P will conduct research on
impact of these projects on its target groups or disseminate findings of research done by
others to support community driven advocacy
• Inability of youths and women in northern Kenya to take advantage of the economic
opportunities like government tenders, LAPSSET Projects, devolved funds like Uwezo and
Youth fund to generate wealth and self-employment. MID-P should work with youth and
women groups in its operation to equip them with information and skills to benefit from
government funding programmes
• Harmful cultural practices which impede effective participation of girls and boys in Education
and drug abuse which undermines self-reliance among youths. MID-P should work with
government, religious and traditional leaders to eradicate the harmful practices.
• The need for MID-P to exist as a stable organization able to generate its own funds and
finance activities with little external support, and meet the growing demand within and
outside Isiolo county.

Programme Focus
In pursuit of its vision and mission, MID-P will partner with its funding partners, the county
governments in northern Kenya and non-state actors to implement the following programmes
priority area in the coming five years (2020-2024)
Priority Area 1: Sustainable Natural Resource Management
Goal: To reduce poverty through sustainable management of natural resources by community institutions.
• Capacity building of NRM institutions on development and sustainable management of key
natural resources through development of Natural Resource Master Plan.
• Ecosystem restoration and management through mapping of critical resources and threats to
biodiversity and support community-based conservation measures.
• Capacity building of community groups to promote sustainable community based natural
resources conservation and management through customary institutions.
• Promote inter-county level and inter-agency collaboration in management of cross-border
natural resources and ecosystems.
• Advocate for the enactment of relevant legislations (policies, laws, regulations) including the
Rangeland Management Bill, Disaster Risk Management Bill, Sand Harvesting, Water Use,
Solid Waste Management etc
• Promote public participation in Government programmes and projects, the mega-project
including LAPSSET, Land Value Index Act, Community Land Registration Process, Peace
Building and Alternative Dispute Resolutions Mechanism.

Priority Area 2: Sustainable Livelihoods
Goal: Improve income for vulnerable households through livelihood diversification and pro-poor value chain promotion
• Promote participation of pastoralist in meat and milk value chain promotion and marketing, livestock disease control and partnership development with county government.
• Promote adoption of climate smart agriculture, agro-ecology integration for the agro-pastoralists.
• Youth and women enterprise promotion (skills development, access to financial services and
market)

Priority Area 3: Youth Education and Empowerment
Goal: Promote access to quality inclusive education and skills training by all youths
• Basic education management (primary school governance; Capacity building of School Board
of Managements, Parents Association)
• Special education (mapping of children with special needs, sensitization of parents, lobby for
special unit in local school, setting up of special school in each sub county, expansion of
existing special schools)
• Girls and boy’s education through promotion of enrolment, retention, transition and
completion of primary and secondary education by supporting school feeding and education
bursaries
• Campaign against drug abuse and harmful cultural practices
• Promotion of youth enrolment for skills training and development to technical and
vocational training institutions and technical training institutes.
• Promote the new education system- Competence Based Curriculum

Priority Area 4: Local Governance
Goal: Promote good governance at local level through improved civic awareness among target groups
• Civic education; social, economic, cultural and environmental rights, inclusive development
• Policy lobbying and advocacy to proactively influence County policy formulation process
• Public Expenditure Management cycle and advocacy- Budget tracking targeting all devolved
funds
• Peace building and social cohesion (cultural exchanges, sports, walk for common course, )

Priority Area 5: Institutional Strengthening
Goal: To enhance programme continuity and organizational sustainability To be able to implement the programmes in the four thematic areas, MID-P will seek support of its funding partners to invest in the following institutional development activities:
• Board elections and capacity enhancement for fund raising, networking and collaboration and
provision of policy direction.
• Staff capacity development to sharpen skills through staff capacity assessment, staff training
and retreat, review of all policy documents and staff performance appraisals
• Strengthen Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) in order to measure
performance and impact as well as disseminate project results and enhance accountability,
improve visibility and efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.