Our teams in Kenya and Tanzania are the backbone of our organisation. Everyday, they are working to ensure that children across Tanzania and Kenya can break the cycle of poverty through access to quality education. Our entire on-the-ground team is made up of local nationals who have a deep, nuanced and culturally appropriate understanding of the multiple barriers that exist to education.

Since 2009, So They Can’s reach is 56,000 students and teacher graduates through our Education Program.

Our Local Leaders Series is an opportunity to spotlight the pioneering staff that are leading our programs on-the-ground in Kenya and Tanzania. In this profile, we are delighted to introduce our supporters to Boniface Mouti, Country Manager, Kenya. 

What is your role at So They Can?

I started at So They Can 12 years ago and am So They Can’s Kenya Country Manager. I lead our Education Program and Community Development Programs in Baringo and Nakuru.

It is through the Education Program that we implement all the essentials for quality education – from infrastructure to teacher training to school management. It is through the “Community Development Program” that we tackle the additional barriers to education, including our “Family Strengthening” project, “Wezesha Business Skills” project and “Community Health” project.

I am also responsible for developing and implementing program strategies, ensuring compliance with both government and organisational policies, building relationships with participants, nurturing local and global partners, and achieving strategic targets. I oversee two offices: our in-person office in Nakuru and our remote Baringo office. Working to strategically understand the regional differences between the two offices to maximise the effectiveness of our programs is an important part of my role.

What is your professional background?

I am passionate about education. I hold an MA in International Relations, Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), BA in Development Studies, Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, and Diploma in Philosophy and Religious Studies. I am also a PhD student at Kenyatta University.

Throughout my career, I have always been a child rights activist. I have over 23 years of experience in NGO program management, coupled with 20 years of working in child empowerment and education across East Africa, including with Children for Children’s Future and Action for Children in Tanzania.

Can you tell us a little about your culture, country, identity or community?

I am a Kenyan, born among the Gusii community that is found in the western part of Kenya. As Kenyans, we are among the most industrious people in the African continent. We are politically conscious and proud of our rights.

Kenya’s economy is currently ranked as the sixth largest in Africa. It is also the largest economy in Eastern Africa. Our culture is a vibrant mix of diverse ethnic groups, each with unique traditions, languages, and customs, alongside a modernising society influenced by both traditional values and global trends. It is a country where ancient traditions and modern life coexist, creating a unique cultural landscape. Kenyans place a strong emphasis on community, respect for elders, and maintaining close family and kinship ties.

What motivates you in your role at So They Can?

When leading the So They Can team in Kenya, I am motivated by the opportunity to significantly impact people’s lives and drive positive change within a community. I strive to focus on what truly matters, prioritise experiences over possessions, and cultivate a mindset of contentment and mindfulness. In practice, this translates to leading a cohesive and energetic team, developing sustainable business strategies, and ensuring the effective implementation of So They Can’s Education and Community Development Programs. I find the opportunity to witness firsthand the tangible results of our team’s work and the contribution it makes to a larger mission highly motivating.

What is a project you’ve been working on at So They Can that you are particularly proud of?

Throughout my time at So They Can, I have been particularly proud of what we have achieved in relation to our “School Improvement” project.

So They Can’s “School Improvement” project sits under our Education Program. It is clear that there is a direct correlation between safe, inclusive and well-built school infrastructure and improved educational outcomes for all. Witnessing students in the communities where we work, who were initially learning under trees, having the opportunity to learn in accessible classrooms gives me unimaginable satisfaction.

What has been really exciting is, as our teams critically reflect on what foundational and administrative infrastructure is also needed to ensure education is accessible for all, our School Improvement project has started to expand beyond physical infrastructure. For example, at the start of 2025, 41% of children in our Baringo primary schools did not possess a birth certificate – posing significant issues for the communities we work with to access schooling.

With my team’s support, in 2025, 1251 primary-aged children in Baringo gained access to their birth certificate. In April 2025, Tiaty’s first ever Civil Registration Services office was also opened atChemolingot shopping centre. The desk is now operated by two permanent Government staff and with So They Can’s support carries out school visits to directly facilitate birth certificate registration.

What is your vision for So They Can moving forward?

That we continue to lead by example through our holistic approach to tackling poverty through access to quality education.

One of the most inspiring parts of my role at So They Can has been working on our “Community Health” project. Through So They Can’s Community Health project, we work in partnership with communities in two government health clinics in Kenya. Our partnership with Chesirimion and Nakoko Health Clinics improves access to education, medical care, maternal & newborn services, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation. 

In 2024, So They Can constructed a new 10-bed maternity ward at Chesirimion Health Clinic. It was so exciting when the first baby was delivered safely. Moreover, I was humbled when the mother, Cheptoo, named her Boni. Since then more than 200 babies have been safely delivered at the Clinic.As we try to tackle the more complex barriers to education, such as health, it is clear that So They Can is leaving an important legacy in Nakuru and Baringo.

Boni on the first right of the front row with both Kenyan and Tanzania management teams.