NAIROBI, Kenya – The Governments of Kenya and the United Kingdom have marked the successful conclusion of the seven-year REINVENT Programme, a transformative initiative that strengthened policing, improved community security, and tackled violence against women and girls across the country.
The programme, launched in 2018 with £19.5 million (approximately KSh 3.61 billion) in UK funding, worked in 24 counties and four regions, addressing the root causes of insecurity while empowering women and girls as agents of peace.
Its legacy includes enhanced police response to gender-based violence (GBV), improved service delivery, and strengthened conflict prevention mechanisms at local and national levels.
Speaking at the closing event, UK Deputy High Commissioner Rosy Cave said the programme had exceeded expectations.
“When REINVENT was being developed seven years ago, Kenya faced complex challenges: insecurity in frontier counties, gender-based violence, and the urgent need for institutional reforms. Over time, demand for REINVENT’s interventions grew beyond the northern and coastal regions, addressing even more thematic issues. Our shared goal remained clear — to reduce violence, strengthen institutional responses, and empower women and girls as agents of peace and security,” she said.
Director of Police Service Reforms, John Kamau, highlighted the programme’s tangible impact.
“The REINVENT programme has delivered measurable results across its work streams. Its impact is evident not only in the outputs but also in improved systems, strengthened relationships, and enhanced policing standards nationwide. Thousands of police officers and community actors benefited directly from trainings, dialogues, and technical support, while millions of Kenyans have seen improved security through these services,” he noted.
Principal Secretary for Interior Dr. Raymond Omollo echoed the appreciation, noting that the programme strengthened Kenya’s national response to GBV and improved access to survivor services.
“Partnership with REINVENT is rooted in a joint security compact between Kenya and the UK, recognising that peace and security are the foundation for stability and development,” he said.
Presided over the official closing ceremony of the REINVENT Programme, an invaluable partnership between the Government of Kenya and REINVENT.This seven-year collaboration has strengthened peace and security across 18 counties, reduced communal and criminal violence, and
Among REINVENT’s achievements is the establishment of survivor-centred models such as the Nanyuki POLICARE Centre and the Mombasa Situation Room, as well as over 60 gender desks nationwide.
The programme also localized Kenya’s National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security, enabling grassroots implementation, and mediated disputes related to borders and climate change through county and regional security committees.
As the programme transitions toward closure, efforts are underway to embed ownership within government systems through training, policy integration, and evidence gathering to guide future UK–Kenya peace and security initiatives under the new Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership, signed in July 2025.
The REINVENT Programme leaves a lasting legacy in accountable policing, survivor-centred GBV response, and conflict prevention, strengthening the foundations for a safer and more inclusive Kenya.
