Asegis Community Organization

Asegis is a grassroots entity founded in 2014 in Turkana County, Kenya, focusing on environmental health and the empowerment of pastoral local communities. It stands for societal advancement through sustainable environmental practices and upholds the environmental rights of pastoral and marginalized groups. The name Asegis epitomizes cleanliness and is a testament to its dedication to the Turkana pastoralists. The organization is actively involved in advocating for environmental challenges in pastoral lands, including advocating for proper management of hazardous waste in the Lokichar Oil Basin, while also championing the rights of the underrepresented. Asegis's commitment to community involvement and advocacy is a step towards a future where environmental and social well-being are closely connected. Asegis’s has a Vision of Healthier Pastoral Communities and Equitable Society and a Mission: To Promote a healthy environment for all Asegis upholds a strong set of core values, which are integral to its operations and culture. Integrity and ethics stand at the forefront, ensuring that all actions and decisions are conducted with honesty and adherence to moral principles. Accountability is also a key value, with a commitment to taking responsibility for one's actions and their outcomes. Respect is paramount, fostering an environment where every individual is valued and treated with dignity. Innovation is encouraged, promoting a culture of creativity and the pursuit of new ideas to drive progress. Lastly, discipline is emphasized, maintaining a focus on organization, self-control, and adherence to established guidelines and standards. These values collectively form the ethical backbone of Asegis, guiding its mission and interactions with clients, employees, and the broader community. Asegis is dedicated to creating a sustainable and equitable future through our four core programs. a). The Primary Health Care program is instrumental in enhancing community health by emphasizing preventive measures, improving water and sanitation, and combating HIV and TB. The primary health care strategy is focused on fostering healthy communities through the promotion of a clean environment. Its mission is to enhance health and prevent diseases by implementing evidence-based health promotion programs. The overarching goals include improving health literacy, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation, and combating HIV and TB with education, prevention, and support. Specific objectives involve mobilizing communities for better health practices, leading campaigns against diseases like COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS, and disseminating knowledge about proper hygiene practices. b). The Environment program aims to educate on proper waste management and hazardous materials, while also promoting conservation efforts and addressing the impacts of climate change. Our vision for the environment is centered on maintaining a clean and sustainable setting for both present and future generations. The mission focuses on advocating for environmental rights and ensuring responsible waste management practices. The overarching objectives include raising public awareness about waste management and the dangers of hazardous materials, promoting conservation practices, and tackling the challenges posed by climate change. To achieve these goals, specific objectives have been set to advocate for a clean environment and its sustainable use, mobilize communities for environmental activities, and educate the public on reducing waste and conserving the environment. These objectives are crucial for fostering an environmentally conscious society and ensuring the health of our planet. c). The Human Rights program stands as a beacon of hope for marginalized and vulnerable groups, advocating for their rights and striving to uplift their quality of life. Collectively, these programs demonstrate Asegis's commitment to fostering a holistic approach to development and social welfare. We envision a society where human rights are universally respected and protected. Our mission is to empower individuals through legal aid and education on digital human rights. The overarching goals are to provide legal support to those in need, raise awareness of human rights within communities, and advocate for digital rights and privacy. Specifically, the organization aims to enhance access to justice and promote human rights education, ensuring that individuals are informed and capable of protecting their own rights in the digital age. The governance structure of Asegis is a tripartite system consisting of the Annual General Assembly, the Board, and the Secretariat. The Annual General Assembly is the principal component, featuring board members who meet once a year to discuss progress, financial standings, and to ratify policies and significant plans. The Board is a diverse body with six elected members, two youth representatives, and three ex-officio members from key governmental environmental and health authorities. This structure ensures a comprehensive approach to decision-making and governance within the Asegis Community Network. Our Remarkable achievements and experiences Asegis has made significant strides in environmental conservation and resource governance in Turkana County. Between 2015 and 2016, we spearheaded a campaign to raise awareness on the consequences of improper waste disposal in Kakuma and Lodwar Municipality, educating the community on sustainable waste management practices. Our advocacy efforts bore fruit in 2016 when we persuaded the County Government to allocate a temporary dumpsite at Nayanae-Angikalalio for both solid and liquid waste, a critical step towards environmental protection pending official recognition by NEMA. Furthermore, Asegis were deeply involved in the extractives sector, advocating through the Turkana Natural Resources Governance-Hub for the ethical management of oil revenues, local community employment and contracting opportunities, and the safe disposal of hazardous wastes to safeguard the grasslands and groundwater resources essential to the Turkana pastoralist way of life. These initiatives reflect Asegis's commitment to fostering a sustainable environment and equitable resource distribution. Asegis has made significant strides in empowering the Turkana community through various initiatives. From 2018 to 2023,we focused on advocacy and engagement, developing strategies to facilitate land ownership and ensure fair compensation for land loss. In 2020, Asegis took a stand against illegal waste dump sites in Kakuma, advocating for their closure to protect the environment and promote proper waste management. That same year, we joined forces with World Vision to combat gender-based violence and child abuse, raising awareness and providing support for victims to access justice. Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, Asegis collaborated with the Kenya Red Cross Society to implement critical interventions in Turkana County, contributing to the health and safety of the community during a global crisis. Since 2023, we have been actively advocating against the improper disposal of hazardous waste in the Lokichar Oil Basin, emphasizing the protection of health and the environment in communities impacted by oil exploration. Our work includes identifying key investors in mining, both globally and within Turkana County, to tailor effective advocacy strategies. We are also committed to increasing hazardous waste literacy among locals, ensuring they understand the risks and management of such waste. Empowerment is another cornerstone of our mission, helping community members to demand their rights, including environmental cleanliness, fair compensation, and land restoration. The overarching goal is to confront the oil and gas industry's challenges, particularly how supply chains affect local livelihoods, economic stability, and community growth, while also addressing transparency and accountability issues.