About Us
About MDS-Kenya
Mennonite Development Services (MDS-Kenya) is a registered Public Benefits Organization (PBO), established in 2019 and formally registered in 2025. As the development and peacebuilding arm of the Kenya Mennonite Church (KMC), MDS-Kenya implements integrated, community-driven programs through established Diocesan structures, drawing on over 25 years of Kenya Mennonite Church (KMC) experience in community development and peacebuilding.
The organization operates in Kenya and targets vulnerable and underserved communities. Through its faith-based and community-rooted approach, MDS-Kenya ensures strong local ownership, accountability, and sustainability of its interventions.
Vision
Empowered and transformed communities enjoying the right relationship with God, one another and creation.
Mission
Promoting Peace and resilience through transformational development.
Core Values
Peace, Social Action, Compassion, Honesty, Integrity, Accountability, Adaptability, Innovation, Partnership and Subsidiarity.
Our Approach
MDS-Kenya adopts a holistic and integrated development approach that addresses the interconnected challenges facing communities today. Our work is guided by five strategic pillars that shape program design, implementation, and impact:
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Peacebuilding, Social Cohesion, and Good Governance
MDS-Kenya promotes peaceful coexistence by strengthening community-based conflict resolution systems, dialogue platforms, and inclusive governance structures. Through peace committees, mediation training, and civic engagement processes, we empower communities to manage conflict non-violently while enhancing accountability and citizen participation. Special focus is placed on the inclusion of women, youth, and faith leaders in peace and governance processes. -
Resilient Livelihoods, Food Security, and Economic Empowerment
We strengthen household resilience by improving food systems, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and supporting diversified livelihoods. Through farmer training, savings and lending groups, enterprise development, and market linkages, MDS-Kenya enables vulnerable communities, especially women and youth, to increase incomes, achieve food security, and participate meaningfully in local economies. -
Health, Humanitarian Response, and Social Protection
MDS-Kenya enhances community wellbeing by improving access to essential health services, strengthening referral systems, and promoting preventive health practices. In times of crisis, we support preparedness and rapid response through trained local structures and contingency planning. We also link vulnerable households to social protection systems, including psychosocial support and community-based care, to improve resilience and recovery. -
Climate Resilience and Water Stewardship
We support communities to adapt to climate change and sustainably manage natural resources. Our interventions include climate-smart agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and community-based climate adaptation. We also invest in water infrastructure such as boreholes and rainwater harvesting systems, while strengthening water governance structures to ensure sustainable and equitable access. -
Institutional Strengthening and Sustainable Resource Mobilization
MDS-Kenya invests in strengthening institutional capacity at both organizational and diocesan levels. This includes enhancing governance systems, staff capacity, and program accountability frameworks. In addition, we promote diversified and sustainable resource mobilization through strategic partnerships, donor engagement, and innovative financing approaches to ensure long-term organizational sustainability.
Our Impact
By integrating these five pillars, MDS-Kenya delivers holistic and sustainable interventions in social development, humanitarian response, and peacebuilding. Our model leverages strong church and community structures to ensure that programs are locally owned, contextually relevant, and capable of generating lasting impact.
Through this approach, MDS-Kenya continues to contribute to resilient communities, peaceful societies, and sustainable development across Kenya.
