At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we know that to drive transformative change for our community, our team must be as resilient and vibrant as the forests and farms we serve. This past weekend, we took a necessary step back from the field to focus on the people behind the mission, spending an intensive team-building retreat at […]
The hills of Chemoson/Tinet have long held the secrets of Ogiek resilience. Yesterday, those hills became a global stage as the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN) hosted an international delegation for a landmark strategic benchmarking visit at the Kibarasoi Community Seedbank. This gathering was a powerful reminder that while our ancestral lands are unique, the struggle for Indigenous […]
At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we believe that the preservation of our past is the most powerful tool for securing our future. Today marks a truly historic milestone in our journey toward true food sovereignty and community resilience. We are incredibly proud to announce the official commissioning of three brand-new Indigenous Seed Banks—living vaults of our […]
At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we have long held the conviction that infrastructure is about far more than just bricks and mortar. It is about creating the foundational architecture for long-term community transformation. Earlier today, our Executive Director led the KOWYN team on a site visit to our developing Ogiek Community Seedbanks. These facilities represent the […]
Today marks a defining moment in the history of the Koibatek Ogiek people. At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we have always believed that the forest is not just a resource; it is our home, our identity, and our legacy. Today, we translated that belief into action by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the […]
At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we recognize that our ability to drive meaningful change in our community is directly linked to the strength of our leadership and the clarity of our strategic path. Today, our team held a deep-dive session with our Board of Directors, transforming a routine meeting into a powerful exchange of vision, accountability, […]
At the Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), we recognize that true resilience begins with the seeds we plant. On June 17, 2026, our leaders from various Ogiek Women and Youth groups embarked on an enriching journey to the Seed Savers Network, Kenya in Gilgil Elementaita. This visit was more than a workshop; it was a profound reconnection with […]
As the world’s leaders, policymakers, and activists gather in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30), Africa is poised to command a central role. Hosted in the Amazon rainforest one of the planet’s great ecological treasures this COP provides a critical backdrop for Africa to press its unique case: that climate justice, resilient development, and global solutions […]
Agribusiness remains one of Kenya’s most vital economic pillars, providing livelihoods to millions and contributing significantly to national GDP, exports, and employment. For Indigenous communities like the Ogiek of Koibatek and Tinet, agribusiness offers not only economic opportunities but also a pathway to reclaiming traditional ecological knowledge and advancing sustainable living. At KOWYN, we believe that empowering youth and women […]
The Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN) convened a highly productive public review session bringing together members of the Ogiek, Nubian, and other marginalised communities across Koibatek Sub-County to review and contribute to the First Draft of the National Policy on Ethnic Minorities and Marginalised Communities (2025–2035). The session created an open and inclusive space where community members freely […]