CorpsAfrica’s Pitch Day Ignites Grassroots Change
CorpsAfrica’s Pitch Day Ignites Grassroots Change
CorpsAfrica/Kenya hosted its third annual Pitch Day on Thursday. The event celebrated African philanthropy, community-driven development, and youth empowerment.
It brought together young change-makers, corporate leaders, philanthropists, development partners, and government officials. Together, they gathered to fund and support grassroots projects across Kenya.
Inspired by the “Shark Tank” model but rooted in African values, the forum featured 42 small-scale, high-impact development projects. These projects were co-created and implemented by local communities working with CorpsAfrica Volunteers.
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“These community-led, community-chosen projects demonstrate the power of African solutions for African challenges,” said Anthony Okoth, Chairman of CorpsAfrica/Kenya.
Since launching in Kenya three years ago, CorpsAfrica has supported over 42 community projects. These efforts focus on underserved rural areas often ignored by traditional development aid.
Local ownership is key. Many rural projects fail to last when they depend only on external funding. CorpsAfrica’s approach helps address this gap.
Taita-Taveta Governor Dr. Andrew Mwadime, the event’s Chief Guest, praised the initiative. He noted that it aligns well with Kenya’s bottom-up, people-focused development model.
“The Pitch Day builds bridges between development sectors. It connects corporations, the government, and young leaders,” he said.
This third cohort of projects seeks Kes 16 million in total funding. Many focus on improving health care, such as maternal services and access to clean water.
Some rural areas report maternal mortality rates as high as 673 per 100,000 births. These projects aim to change that.
CorpsAfrica’s Pitch Day Ignites Grassroots Change
From Health to Agribusiness: Youth-Led Solutions Driving Local Impact
Dr. Patricia King’ori-Mugendi, Director of CorpsAfrica/Kenya, emphasized the power of local engagement. “Though these projects have modest budgets, they create lasting change through youth leadership and community ownership,” she said.
For example, in Kitui County, CorpsAfrica Volunteer Nelly Iminza leads a maternal health initiative. The project plans to build a 10-bed maternity wing at Kamayagi Dispensary with a Kes 962,000 budget.
Currently, expectant mothers in the area travel over 20 kilometers https://www.unwater.org/publications/who/unicef-joint-monitoring-program-update-report-2023and spend Kes 1,500 to reach delivery services. This delay leads to complications for 3 in 10 women. The new unit will cut the distance to 5 kilometers and reduce complications by 20%.
Other projects focus on water access. With 28% of rural Kenyans lacking safe drinking water, communities are building rainwater harvesting systems and eco-latrines. They are also promoting hygiene awareness.
Food security is another priority. Agriculture employs 70% of Kenya’s rural population, yet many remain food insecure. Volunteers are supporting irrigation systems, seed banks, and training hubs to boost production.
Additionally, CorpsAfrica helps youth build skills. Vocational training, small business development, and savings groups offer pathways out of poverty. These interventions target rural youth unemployment, which remains above 13%.
Before the event, CorpsAfrica and its community partners had already raised Kes 11.75 million. They are calling on local donors to help raise the remaining Kes 4.25 million.
“By investing in young Africans as the architects of their communities, we can ensure long-term local development,” said Nur Riday, CSR Program Coordinator at Davis & Shirtliff.
Representing the initiative’s partners, Riday noted that local philanthropy is worth about Kes 30 billion annually. She urged the government to offer incentives for corporate and individual giving—especially toward youth-led, volunteer-driven models.
