Hornbeam Africa is a Kenyan, locally-led organisation building climate-resilient livelihoods for pastoral, agro-pastoral and riverine communities across the Horn of Africa.
Nairobi head office · Garissa field base · Registration under Kenya's PBO Act in progress
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LivelihoodsSavings-led and climate-smart
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Water & landCommunity-managed resources
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Early actionBefore shocks peak
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Locally ledEnglish, Swahili, Somali
Who we are
Rooted in the drylands. Built for the long run.
Droughts and floods along the region's rivers keep setting families back. Each failed season forces households to sell livestock, take on debt and cut meals, and many never recover before the next shock arrives.
Hornbeam Africa works with pastoral, agro-pastoral and riverine communities to break that cycle. We start in Garissa County, Kenya, and our mandate covers the wider Horn of Africa. We will extend our work across borders through local partners as funding allows.
VisionResilient dryland communities across the Horn of Africa that can withstand climate shocks and prosper on their own terms.
MissionTo strengthen livelihoods, food security and climate resilience through community-led savings, market access, natural resource management, and locally-led humanitarian and development action.
Why "Hornbeam"
One of the hardest woods in nature.
The hornbeam is a tree known for wood so tough it was used for wheels, yokes and mill gears. Its name also carries the Horn of Africa, the region we serve.
We exist to help dryland communities hold firm.
What we do
Our areas of work
Every area connects back to one idea: households need a buffer that they own before the next shock hits. Our current projects sit mainly in the first five areas. WASH, protection and health will become full programmes; our current projects already include parts of that work.
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Climate-resilient livelihoods
Village Savings and Loan Associations, income diversification, market linkages and graduation pathways for households facing recurrent drought and flooding.
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Climate-smart agriculture & livestock
Drought-tolerant crops, water-efficient riverine farming, fodder production and community animal health.
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Natural resource & water management
Community-led management of rangelands, water points and riverine land, with conflict-sensitive local governance.
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Anticipatory action & recovery
Early warning, community contingency plans, cash-based early action before a shock peaks, and livelihood recovery after it.
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Evidence & localisation
Needs assessments, participatory monitoring, and strengthening of community-based organisations.
Planned programme
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Water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH)
Safe water points, sanitation and hygiene for dryland and riverine communities, including during droughts and floods.
Already in our projects: Digniin builds a community water pan or fodder bank at each site, and links households to County water trucking when water trekking distances pass 25 km.
Planned programme
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Protection
Keeping women, children, older people and persons with disabilities safe and included, especially when shocks force families to move.
Already in our projects: Digniin prioritises female-headed households and persons with disabilities, posts beneficiary lists publicly, runs a free feedback hotline and trains all staff and monitors on PSEA.
Planned programme
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Health
Community health and nutrition support for households facing drought, floods and disease outbreaks.
Already in our projects: Digniin's vaccination campaigns with County vets target Rift Valley fever, which also infects people, and Caano Geel trains herders and traders in milk hygiene.
Working on dryland resilience?
We are looking for implementing and sub-grant partners for work in Garissa County and neighbouring dryland counties.
Drought and Tana River floods hit Garissa in turns. Warnings usually exist, but help usually arrives after animals have died, livestock has been sold at distress prices and families have taken on debt. This programme closes that gap, starting in Balambala, Fafi and Lagdera sub-counties of Garissa County.
What changes for the families we serve
Warning before the shock. Trained monitors from their own communities track pasture, water, livestock and prices every month, with bulletins in Somali shared through elders, mosques and local radio.
Help before the peak. When agreed triggers are reached, fodder, animal health, seed, flood kits and mobile cash reach households within 14 days, so they keep their animals and avoid debt.
A buffer of their own. Savings groups, most of their members women, give households money to draw on when the next shock comes.
Stronger livelihoods. Safer camel milk, solar irrigation for riverine farmers and restored riverbanks build incomes that hold up in hard seasons.
1,500households (about 9,000 people) protected by early warning and pre-agreed support
~30,000people reached by public bulletins, radio and animal health campaigns
14 daysfrom a trigger to support reaching households
45savings groups, about 1,125 members, at least 60% women
Targets from our Digniin project proposal, the programme's flagship project.
Where the programme works
Schematic, not to scale. Later phases through local partners.
We grow the way lasting organisations do: proving our model in one place, then extending it through local partners.
Now
Garissa County, Kenya
Our field base and first six projects, in Balambala, Fafi and Lagdera sub-counties along the Tana.
Next
Tana River, Isiolo & Lamu
Neighbouring arid and semi-arid counties facing the same cycle of drought and flood, from the lower Tana to the coast.
Later
The wider Horn of Africa
Cross-border work, including the Jubba basin, through local partner organisations as funding allows.
Founding team experience
A savings-led model that has already worked.
Our founder brings more than six years of humanitarian field work in Jubaland, including a BHA-funded food security and livelihoods programme run by Alight alongside the GIZ SEPOW technical team.
Figures below are from the founder's prior work with Alight, not Hornbeam Africa results.
360VSLA members supported across 12 groups
US$72,857in group savings mobilised
US$30,675in internal loans issued by members
52participants in a 4-village needs assessment, Jamaame, Nov 2025
Governance & accountability
Accountable from day one
Donors fund organisations they can trust. Our controls are written into our constitution, not added later.
Independent board
Five to nine non-executive directors. The CEO attends without a vote. Founding meeting planned for December 2026.
Chairperson Appointed
Secretary Being appointed
Treasurer Being appointed
Technical member Being appointed
Community voice Being appointed
Financial controls
Two signatories on every payment
Annual independent audit, filed with PBORA
Finance and Audit Committee led by the Treasurer
Separate project codes for every grant
Sanctions screening of partners and suppliers
Policies adopted
Finance and internal controls
Anti-fraud, anti-bribery and sanctions
Safeguarding and PSEA
Procurement
Conflict of interest
Safeguarding & feedback
Do no harm. Listen first.
We have zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and for fraud or diversion of aid. Everyone associated with Hornbeam Africa, including partners and suppliers, is held to these standards.
Raise a concern or complaint
Anyone can report a concern, anonymously if they prefer. You do not need proof. A reasonable concern is enough. Reports are handled confidentially and no one is punished for reporting in good faith.
Email info@hornbeamafrica.org or call +254 722 443 839. In our project areas there is also a free community feedback hotline and suggestion boxes. Every complaint is logged, answered and closed within 14 days.
Partner with us
Bring local reach to your next resilience programme.
We work in English, Swahili and Somali, and we are rooted in the communities we serve.
Sub-grant and implementing partnerships with international NGOs
Partnerships with UN agencies on resilience and anticipatory action
Climate, resilience and localisation funds
A fiscal sponsor or lead partner for Digniin's first year
A research partner for trigger validation and learning
Six designed and costed projects in Balambala, Fafi and Lagdera sub-counties of Garissa County, Kenya, built around one goal: households protect their livelihoods from drought and floods by acting early.
Our path to Digniin
Built step by step
Each phase produces evidence for the next. Partners can support any phase. With a lead partner, the full Digniin project is ready to start in Q1 2027.
Phase 1 · 2027Kayd
20 savings groups and climate action plans in 3 communities.
USD 48,139Concept note ready
Phase 2 · 2027–28Digniin Pilot
10 monitors and drought triggers in Balambala; support for up to 300 households.
USD 73,060Concept note ready
Phase 3 · Q1 2027 with a lead partnerFull Digniin
30 monitors, a USD 97,964 Early Action Fund and 45 savings groups for 1,500 households over 12 months.
USD 375,000Full proposal ready
NDMANormal
WatchAlert
ActAlarm
NDMAEmergency
NDMARecovery
Digniin follows Kenya's official drought phases. At Alert (Watch), low-regret actions such as animal health campaigns and flood preparedness can start. At Alarm (Act), fodder and cash are released, but only when two of three sources agree, before the emergency stage.
Project portfolio · October 2026
Our projects
Six designed and costed projects under the Tana–Jubba Resilience Programme. Each status shows exactly where it stands. Concept notes and full budgets are available on request.
DigniinGarissa Community Early Warning and Early Action
30 community monitors (at least 12 women) report monthly on pasture, water, livestock condition, prices and disease
Watch and Act triggers agreed with communities, the County and NDMA, back-tested against past droughts and floods
Fodder, animal health, destocking, seed, flood kits and cash released within 14 days of an Act trigger
45 savings groups (about 1,125 members, at least 60% women) so households have their own buffer for the next shock
Reach
1,500 households (about 9,000 people); about 30,000 people indirectly
Sites
500 households each in Balambala, Fafi and Lagdera
Duration
12 months, indicative start Q1 2027
Funding sought
USD 375,000
Early Action Fund
USD 97,964 (26%), released only on triggers
Cost per household
About USD 250
Read more
The problem
Drought and Tana River floods hit Garissa in turns. Warnings usually exist, but help tends to arrive after animals have died, livestock has been sold at distress prices and families have taken on debt. In 2026 Garissa is on the Government of Kenya's and FAO–WFP's El Niño high-risk lists, with a strong event likely to run into early 2027.
What we will do
Community monitors report every month. Their data is combined with NDMA drought phases, Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts and Water Resources Authority river-level warnings. When agreed Act thresholds are reached, a ring-fenced Early Action Fund releases support within 14 days: fodder for 600 households, vaccination and deworming of up to 30,000 animals, destocking support for 300 households, seed or flood kits for 400 farming households, and a USD 50 mobile money top-up for 400 of the most vulnerable. Monthly bulletins go out in Somali and English.
Expected results
At least 90% of early actions within 14 days of an Act trigger
30% lower livestock mortality and 50% fewer distress sales than comparison households, in sites where an Act trigger was reached
USD 35,000 saved by VSLA members; at least 10 groups linked to SACCOs
A tested community early warning model handed to Garissa County and NDMA
Safeguards
Cash and fodder move only when two of three sources agree: community data, the NDMA phase, and KMD or WRA warnings. If no Act trigger is reached by Month 9, up to 40% of the fund may go to preparedness with donor approval; the rest stays ring-fenced, and unused funds are returned. Funds are released in tranches of 30%, 50% and 20% tied to milestones, with an established Garissa organisation as fiscal sponsor or lead partner in year one. An independent evaluation compares participants with matched households.
Tana–Jubba Resilience Programme · Phase 3 of the path to Digniin
Concept note readyBalambala, Fafi, Lagdera
KAYD · "savings"
KaydSavings groups and community climate planning
20 savings groups, about 500 members, at least 60% women
Climate action plans in 3 communities, linked to ward committees
A USD 1,500 seed grant per community for one priority
Duration
9 months
Funding sought
USD 48,139
Read more
The problem
When a shock comes, most households have no savings and sell animals cheaply or borrow. Women are largely outside formal finance, and many communities lack the plans needed to access Garissa's County Climate Change Fund.
What we will do
Form or strengthen 20 savings groups using a six-session course, with interest-free, Sharia-compliant terms where groups choose. Train women members in financial skills and link ready groups to SACCOs. Help 3 communities write climate action plans and fund one priority in each.
Expected results
At least USD 13,000 saved by group members
At least 6 groups linked to a SACCO or formal savings
3 climate action plans presented to Ward Committees
Tana–Jubba Resilience Programme · Phase 1 of the path to Digniin
Concept note readyBalambala
DIGNIIN PILOT
Digniin PilotCommunity early warning in Balambala
10 trained community monitors and drought triggers
Fodder and cash for up to 300 households within 14 days of a trigger
Learning brief on how accurate and timely the triggers are
Duration
8 months
Funding sought
USD 73,060
Read more
The problem
Community early warning has rarely been tested at ward level in Garissa. Before scaling up, we need evidence that community data makes triggers earlier or more accurate.
What we will do
Train 10 monitors, at least 4 of them women. Agree drought triggers with the community, County and NDMA, and back-test them against past seasons. When a trigger is reached, deliver fodder to 200 households and a USD 50 mobile money top-up to 150 of the most vulnerable. If no trigger is reached by Month 6, half the fund pre-positions fodder for the next season.
Expected results
At least 90% of monthly reports on time
Early actions within 14 days of a trigger
A learning brief on trigger accuracy and speed
Tana–Jubba Resilience Programme · Phase 2 of the path to Digniin
Concept note readyFafi, Lagdera
CAANO GEEL · "camel milk"
Caano GeelSafer camel milk, better incomes
Hygiene training for about 100 herders and women traders
Milk cans, cool boxes and upgraded collection points
Women's marketing groups linked to Garissa bulk buyers
Duration
8 months
Funding sought
USD 44,448
Read more
The problem
Camels are Garissa's most drought-resilient livestock, but most milk travels in plastic containers without cooling and sours before it reaches buyers. Most traders are women, and spoilage cuts what they earn.
What we will do
Run hygiene training for herders and traders. Provide food-grade milk cans, cool boxes and test kits, and upgrade 2 collection points. Organise women traders into marketing groups and link them to Garissa bulk buyers and existing milk centres. Hold 2 camel health days with County vets.
Expected results
Milk spoilage down by at least 30%
Price per litre up by at least 15%
At least one supply agreement with a buyer
Tana–Jubba Resilience Programme
Concept note readyBalambala, Fafi
QORRAX · "sun"
QorraxSolar irrigation for Tana riverine farmers
Solar pumps, drip irrigation and storage for 4 farmer groups
About 60 farmers trained in water-efficient irrigation
Group maintenance funds so the systems keep working
Duration
8 months
Funding sought
USD 52,098
Read more
The problem
Farmers along the Tana mostly use petrol or diesel pumps. Fuel is expensive, pumps break down, and many farmers irrigate only part of their land or stop in the dry season.
What we will do
Install a solar pump, drip irrigation for about 1 acre, a storage tank and secure fencing for each of 4 farmer groups. Train farmers in water-efficient irrigation and pump maintenance, and support the first growing season. Each group sets up a maintenance fund from its sales.
Expected results
4 solar irrigation systems working
At least 60 farmers trained, at least 40% women
Fuel spending down by at least 70%
Tana–Jubba Resilience Programme
Concept note readyBalambala
GEED · "tree"
GeedTana riverbank nursery and restoration
A community nursery producing about 25,000 seedlings
About 10 hectares of riverbank planted and protected
30 women and youth trained to run the nursery as a business
Duration
9 months
Funding sought
USD 44,405
Read more
The problem
Riverbanks along the Tana are losing vegetation to clearing, overgrazing and floods. Bare banks erode at high water, washing away farmland. Few community nurseries exist, so seedlings are hard to find.
What we will do
Set up a community nursery run by women and youth, producing about 25,000 indigenous, fruit and fodder seedlings. Train 30 members in nursery management and grafting. Plant and fence about 10 hectares of riverbank on sites agreed with the community, the County and the Water Resources Authority.
Expected results
At least 60% of planted seedlings alive after 6 months
30 members trained, at least half women
The nursery earning income from seedling sales
Tana–Jubba Resilience Programme
How the projects fit together
Each project stands on its own, but they support each other. Kayd's savings groups give Digniin a trusted channel for warnings and support. Women traders in Caano Geel and farmers in Qorrax can join savings groups. The Geed nursery can supply trees for riverbanks near Qorrax irrigation sites.
Fund part of Digniin
Every contribution buys a specific result
Digniin can be funded in full or in part. We are also looking for a fiscal sponsor or lead partner for its first year, and a research partner for trigger validation.