These case studies show how partnering with Athari helps organisations turn evidence into influence, build coalitions, and achieve policy outcomes at scale.
Turning invisible work into national policy
The challenge
Critical issues can remain invisible, even when evidence is strong. In Kenya, unpaid and underpaid care work, largely borne by women, sat outside economic planning, limiting women’s participation and reinforcing inequality.
How Athari partnered for impact
Working alongside civil society, UN Women, and the State Department for Gender, Athari helped partners align their voices, sharpen their narrative, and engage policymakers and the media with confidence.
In 2025, Kenya’s Cabinet approved the first National Care Policy, embedding care work into national policy and strengthening the foundation for women’s economic empowerment.
Positioning gender equality as an economic priority
The challenge
Broad agreement on an issue does not always translate into coordinated action. Despite strong support for women’s economic empowerment, Kenya lacked a national framework to drive implementation across institutions.
How Athari partnered for impact
Athari worked with civil society, UN Women, and government actors to reposition WEE as a core economic and governance issue, not a standalone gender concern.
The Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy was adopted in 2025, providing a national roadmap to expand women’s access to resources, participation, and long-term economic security.
Protecting trust in high-stakes environments
The challenge
During crises, misinformation and public anger can quickly undermine credibility. In 2021, Kenya faced protests and backlash over IMF and World Bank lending, while the National Treasury struggled to explain why concessional loans were essential.
How Athari partnered for impact
Engaged by the World Bank, Athari worked with the Treasury and the Presidency to build a clear, credible communications strategy that addressed public concern while managing international reputational risk.
For the first time, the Cabinet Secretary openly explained Kenya’s financial constraints and the necessity of concessional borrowing. Public understanding improved, backlash was avoided, and international partners retained confidence in Kenya’s fiscal management.
When you work with Athari, you gain a partner who helps you:
We collaborate with institutions shaping policy, practice, and public discourse across Africa.
Senior Advisor, Strategy and Policy
Kamau is a researcher, educator, and policy consultant specialising in policing, violence, and criminal justice in Africa. He is a lecturer in criminology at Edinburgh Napier University and a Research Fellow at Strathmore University Business School. A published author and public commentator, he hosts The Kenyanist podcast and holds a PhD and MSc from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Oxford respectively.
Senior Advisor, Strategy and Partnerships
Pamella is an award-winning journalist and thought leader in media, advocacy, and partnerships. She previously served as Group Managing Editor at Nation Media Group and as Communications Specialist at UNICEF Kenya, where she championed children’s and women’s rights. She is a Trustee of Thomson Foundation and Africa Check, a recipient of the WAN-IFRA Women in News Editorial Leadership Award, and holds an MA in Communications from the University of Leicester.
Senior Advisor, Research and Knowledge Translation
Judith is an accomplished storyteller and science communicator with over a decade of journalism experience. She previously served as Health and Enterprise Editor at The Standard and as a researcher at the Duke Global Health Institute. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis, USA, and ensures that data and insights are accessible, engaging, and actionable.
Senior Advisor, Data and Evidence
Kagure is a distinguished communications professional with extensive experience designing and leading strategic communications initiatives for social change. She has led major campaigns on governance and gender inequality and previously headed investigations, data, and research at The Standard Group.
She specialises in strategic messaging, media relations, and digital communication, and holds an MA in Development Studies from the University of Leeds.
Senior Advisor, Economic Inclusion and Sustainability
Reyian M. Risa is a dynamic legal professional and sustainability advocate with a proven track record in economic inclusion, land management, and community-driven development. Combining her legal expertise with hands-on experience in sustainable pastoralism, she has designed and implemented innovative approaches that integrate traditional knowledge with modern practices to enhance ecological sustainability and economic resilience. Her experience includes serving as a Refugee Status Determination Officer and participating in Kenya’s Task Force Committee for the transition of refugee management from UNHCR to government, where she led policy development, capacity building, and stakeholder coordination. Reyian is also the founder of Rennil Olchekut Ranch in Kajiado, promoting sustainable pastoralism, and holds an LLB from the University of Nairobi and entrepreneurship training from Future Female Business School and Honoris United University.
Managing Partner
Denis is a seasoned communications strategist and public affairs expert with a deep commitment to social justice and sustainable development. He has held senior editorial leadership roles at Nation and The Standard, served as Media and Advocacy Director at the African Wildlife Foundation, and most recently worked as a Strategic Communications Consultant with the World Bank. Denis holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and an MSc from the University of Oxford.
