KCDF Joins NCDA at the 2026 Annual General Meeting

On 28 September 2026, the Ndithini Community Development Association (NCDA) convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kiatineni Town, Machakos County. The event brought together more than 7,000 members of the community organisation to reflect on progress made, review key milestones, and deliberate on matters that shape the community’s development agenda.

Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) participated in the AGM to gain first-hand insight into the transformative impact of community organising, local resource mobilisation, and asset-based development. Through the Matching Grant Programme, KCDF has partnered with NCDA to strengthen livelihoods by supporting community-led investments in beekeeping and dairy farming through matched community contributions. In addition, NCDA has demonstrated its commitment to community philanthropy by investing a portion of its resources in the KCDF Endowment Fund. The annual returns from this investment are channelled back into the community through educational scholarships for deserving and vulnerable students.

Speaking during the AGM, Grace Maingi, Executive Director of KCDF, commended NCDA members for embracing and sustaining the community philanthropy model. She praised the association’s commitment to mobilising local resources for community development and encouraged members to continue investing in initiatives that create lasting social and economic impact. During the event, she also presented scholarship cheques to beneficiary families, made possible through the yields generated from NCDA’s investment in the KCDF Endowment Fund.

Some notable milestones realised by NCDA during the AGM included their micro-lending programme, which continued to drive economic empowerment and financial inclusion among members. During the reporting period, the programme recorded:

KES 92 million in share capital, a loan book valued at KES 95 million, monthly loan disbursements averaging KES 10 million, annual dividends amounting to KES 8 million and more than 4,000 active borrowers.

The beekeeping project remains one of NCDA’s most remarkable success stories. What began with 219 hives has expanded to 1,116 hives, while membership has grown from 36 to 197 hive owners. This significant growth demonstrates increasing community confidence in beekeeping as a sustainable source of income and a pathway to improved household livelihoods.

A major milestone was achieved on 3 September 2026 with the launch of the Honey Processing Centre, established in partnership with KCDF and Hand in Hand. Equipped with modern processing equipment, including stainless-steel extractors, refractometers, and honey warmers, the facility enables the production of high-quality honey that meets market and industry standards. This investment has enhanced product quality, expanded market opportunities, and increased value for local beekeepers.

During the financial year, the project harvested 2,745.9 kilogrammes of honey, up from approximately 600 kilogrammes in previous years, and achieved sales of 1,327.32 kilogrammes. These results reflect both improved productivity and growing market demand. The project was further strengthened through a KES 1 million honey purchase kitty, successful branding and KEBS certification, and increased participation by women, who now account for 105 beekeepers compared to 92 men. Partnerships with KCDF and Hand in Hand have played a critical role in providing technical support, capacity strengthening, and market linkages.

The achievements realised by NCDA in 2026 underscore the power of community-led development and the transformative potential of community philanthropy. From expanding livelihood opportunities through beekeeping and micro-lending to supporting access to education through locally generated resources, NCDA continues to demonstrate how communities can drive their own development when equipped with the right partnerships, resources, and vision.