Journey & Institutional Milestones
Who We Are
Every child deserves dignity, care and the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their parent's circumstances.
Pathways of Promise Kenya is a Kenyan nonprofit organisation committed to supporting and advocating for children affected by parental incarceration, with particular attention to children whose mothers are incarcerated.
We recognise that when a parent is imprisoned, the consequences often extend beyond the prison walls. Children may experience separation from a parent, disruption to their education, financial hardship, changes in caregiving arrangements, stigma and emotional distress. Yet their experiences and needs can remain overlooked within broader conversations about incarceration and justice.
Pathways of Promise Kenya exists to help bring these children into focus.
Through welfare engagement, field visits, research, advocacy, capacity building and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, we seek to contribute to a more informed, compassionate and responsive approach to the needs of children affected by parental incarceration.
Our work is grounded in the belief that a child's circumstances should never determine their dignity, their worth or their opportunities in life.
Our Story
Pathways of Promise Kenya began after our founder, Elizabeth Wambui Mumbi, visited a women’s prison in Nairobi. She saw babies and young children living with their mothers without basic supplies such as hygiene items and warm clothing. She also saw that many of the mothers, often very young, were struggling with their mental health and did not know their rights or how to defend themselves in court, and some could not afford a lawyer. She decided to respond to both needs together.
Elizabeth started the organisation at 27 and funded the work herself. We were registered with the NGOs Co-ordination Board on 21 October 2024 and held our first board meeting in December 2024. We are women-led and youth-led, and we are now launching our first programme at Lang’ata Women’s Prison, with essential care, psychosocial support, legal awareness and research.
Our Mission
To support and advocate for the welfare, dignity and development of children affected by parental incarceration through child-centred engagement, welfare support, research, advocacy and collaboration.
Our Vision
A society in which children affected by parental incarceration are recognised, protected and supported, and have the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive without discrimination because of their parent's circumstances.
Our Values
1. Dignity
We believe every child deserves respect, compassion and fair treatment, irrespective of their family circumstances.
2. Child-Centred Practice
We place children's welfare, safety, experiences and developmental needs at the centre of our work.
3. Compassion
We approach children and families with empathy, recognising the complex challenges that parental incarceration can create.
4. Accountability
We are committed to responsible stewardship of resources, transparency in our activities and accountability to the children, families, partners and communities connected to our work.
5. Evidence and Learning
We value research, documentation, reflection and continuous learning as essential foundations for effective interventions and informed advocacy.
6. Collaboration
We recognise that supporting children affected by parental incarceration requires cooperation among families, communities, civil society organisations, researchers, public institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
7. Equity and Inclusion
We believe children should not be disadvantaged, stigmatised or denied opportunities because of circumstances beyond their control.
Why Our Work Matters
Parental incarceration can change a child's life in ways that are not always immediately visible.
The effects may include separation from a parent, reduced household income, changes in living arrangements, interrupted schooling, emotional distress and social stigma. The nature and extent of these experiences vary from child to child, depending on their family circumstances, available support systems and wider environment.
Children whose mothers are incarcerated may face additional challenges where maternal separation disrupts established caregiving arrangements or where the family has limited resources to meet their needs.
These children are not responsible for their parent's incarceration. Nevertheless, they may experience consequences that affect their well-being, development and opportunities.
We believe their experiences deserve recognition, their needs deserve attention, and their voices deserve consideration.
Pathways of Promise Kenya seeks to contribute to this recognition by combining direct engagement with research, learning and advocacy. Our aim is to help strengthen understanding of these children's circumstances while contributing to practical responses that uphold their dignity and welfare.
Kenya Prisons Service Research Approval
Our work is informed by research and engagement with the realities faced by children whose parents are incarcerated.
In July 2025, our founder received approval from the Kenya Prisons Service Headquarters to conduct academic research titled Children of Incarcerated Individuals. The approval provided for research access to Lang’ata Women’s Prison, Nyeri Women’s Prison, Shimo Women’s Prison and Kisumu Women’s Prison, subject to the applicable prison rules and regulations.
This milestone forms part of our founder’s research journey into the experiences of children affected by parental incarceration and reinforces the importance of understanding their needs, circumstances and access to support.
Pathways of Promise Kenya draws on this research-informed perspective in pursuing its mission to support affected children and families.
Our Approach
Our work is guided by the understanding that children's needs are interconnected. Material assistance alone may not address emotional distress, just as research alone cannot meet an immediate need for food, clothing or educational support.
We therefore pursue an approach that brings together several complementary areas of work:
Welfare and Field Engagement
We undertake visits and follow-up activities to better understand the circumstances and needs of children and families affected by parental incarceration.
Practical Support
Subject to available resources and partnerships, we seek to facilitate assistance addressing children's material, educational and other identified welfare needs.
Research and Documentation
We are committed to documenting experiences, identifying gaps in support and developing knowledge that can contribute to a better understanding of children affected by parental incarceration.
Advocacy and Awareness
We seek to encourage greater recognition of these children's experiences and promote informed discussion about their welfare, rights and needs.
Learning and Collaboration
We value professional development, stakeholder engagement and partnerships that can strengthen our capacity and contribute to more effective, sustainable support.
As the organisation develops, we intend to strengthen these areas through appropriate partnerships, resources and evidence-informed programming.
Our Journey
Pathways of Promise Kenya was registered in October 2024, establishing the foundation for our work.
Our early journey reflects a commitment to developing the organisation carefully, learning from field engagement and building the institutional capacity necessary for meaningful, responsible work with children and families.
Key milestones include:
2024 — Establishment
Pathways of Promise Kenya was registered, formalising our commitment to supporting children affected by parental incarceration.
2025 — First Prison Visit
On 30 July 2025, we undertook our first visit to Lang'ata Women's Prison, marking an important step in our engagement with the realities surrounding maternal incarceration and affected families.
2025 onwards — Field Engagement and Welfare Follow-Up
We continued developing our understanding of children's circumstances through field engagement and welfare-related activities.
Ongoing — Research, Learning and Advocacy
We are committed to strengthening our knowledge base, developing institutional capacity, participating in relevant professional engagements and building partnerships that can support our mission.
Our journey is ongoing. We view every visit, learning opportunity, research activity and meaningful partnership as an opportunity to strengthen our work.
Leadership and Governance
Pathways of Promise Kenya was established to address an issue that requires sustained attention, responsible leadership and a commitment to the welfare of children.
The organisation seeks to develop its programmes and institutional systems in accordance with its mission, applicable legal requirements, safeguarding responsibilities and principles of accountability.
As we grow, we remain committed to strengthening our governance, building partnerships and developing the institutional capacity required to deliver responsible and effective support.
[This section can be expanded to include the founder's biography, board members, governance arrangements and other leadership information as these details are confirmed for publication.]....for now leave this part out as i decide if it's necessary
Join Us in Making a Difference
The needs of children affected by parental incarceration cannot be addressed by one organisation working alone.
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with foundations, civil society organisations, educational institutions, researchers, public institutions, corporate partners and individuals who share a commitment to children's welfare and dignity.
Whether through financial contributions, programme partnerships, research collaboration, professional expertise or practical support, there are meaningful ways to contribute.
Together, we can help ensure that children affected by parental incarceration are not overlooked.
Every child deserves a future defined by possibility, not by the circumstances of their parent's incarceration.
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