Refugee-Led Organisation Secures Legal Recognition After Six-Year Registration Freeze
Nairobi, 12 March 2026
Girl Power Action Initiative has achieved formal registration with Kenya’s Refugee Consortium after operating informally since 2021, breaking through a bureaucratic freeze that halted community organisation registrations from 2017 to 2023. This legal milestone enables the grassroots group to access international funding and banking services for the first time. Already securing a $20,000 grant for 2026, the organisation has exceeded expectations by reaching over 2,100 community members.
From Informal Operations to Formal Recognition
Founded in 2021 by Sudi Omar, Girl Power Action Initiative began its journey in Kakuma Refugee Camp, which houses over 310,000 refugees [2]. For two years, the organisation operated without a physical centre or official legal recognition, yet managed to reach over 2,000 girls in schools during this challenging period [2]. The path to formal registration proved particularly arduous due to a bureaucratic freeze that had suspended Community-Based Organisation (CBO) registrations from 2017 until 2023 [2]. As Omar explained, “Registration of CBOs had been put on hold from 2017 till 2023” [2]. This six-year freeze created significant barriers for grassroots organisations seeking to formalise their operations and access legitimate funding channels. The turning point came in 2023 when Girl Power Action Initiative approached the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK), which provided crucial advocacy to reopen the registration process [2].
Capacity Building Through Strategic Partnerships
The Refugee Consortium of Kenya’s support extended beyond mere advocacy, offering comprehensive capacity building through the Wezesha project in partnership with the IKEA Foundation [2]. Girl Power Action Initiative’s leadership team participated in a three-day CBO training that strengthened their organisational capabilities and prepared them for formal operations [2]. This training proved transformative, equipping the organisation with essential skills in resource mobilisation and proposal writing [2]. The investment in capacity building yielded immediate results, with the organisation winning its first grant following the resource mobilisation training and mentorship in proposal writing [2]. These developments demonstrate how strategic partnerships between established legal aid organisations and grassroots groups can create pathways for sustainable growth and formal recognition.
Tangible Impact and Financial Transformation
The organisation’s formal registration has unlocked unprecedented opportunities for sustainable funding and operational legitimacy. Omar emphasised the transformative nature of this milestone: “Honestly speaking, Girl Power is not where it is without registration…Where we are is because we got the certification” [2]. The practical benefits of registration extend to basic banking services, as Omar noted: “The moment you have registration certificate, you can open a bank account where donors can trust you, not sending money to personal accounts” [2]. Girl Power Action Initiative has already exceeded its initial target of reaching 1,500 community members, successfully engaging over 2,100 women, girls, and men [2]. Additionally, 50 women and girls have completed training in fashion and design across two cohorts [2]. Looking ahead to 2026, the organisation is expanding its livelihood programme with a USD 20,000 grant from Global Hope [2].
Broader Context of Legal Aid and Community Empowerment
The success of Girl Power Action Initiative reflects broader efforts to strengthen legal aid and governance frameworks for displaced populations across Kenya. The Refugee Consortium of Kenya continues to build on its hallmark legal aid programme, advising and representing displaced populations on legal matters related to their welfare and rights [1]. Recent capacity-building initiatives have extended beyond refugee camps, with community leaders from refugee and host communities in Nakuru participating in training on Alternative Justice Systems and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support on 9 March 2026 [3]. These programmes, supported by GIZ German International Cooperation, equip participants with practical tools to foster dialogue, address conflicts early, and strengthen resilience within their communities [3]. The training forms part of a continuous capacity building series across Nakuru, Eldoret, and Turkana, demonstrating the expanding reach of legal empowerment initiatives [3].