HDND Foundation Founder and CEO Ruth Mueni addresses guests during the launch of the foundation’s youth empowerment initiative in Nairobi on July 10 ,2026.
Nairob July 11, 2026 – A renewed call to invest in Kenya’s young people, keep vulnerable girls in school and create sustainable economic opportunities took centre stage as the Hopes, Dreams and Dignity (HDND) Foundation officially launched its ambitious empowerment agenda, bringing together government leaders, corporate executives, entrepreneurs and development partners behind a common vision of transforming lives through dignity, education and entrepreneurship.
The launch was marked by strong commitments from public and private sector leaders who pledged support for the foundation’s mission of addressing youth unemployment, menstrual health challenges, education access and mental wellness while creating pathways for young people to become economically independent.
Speaking during the launch, HDND Foundation Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ruth Mueni challenged Kenyans to move beyond merely discussing national problems and instead become active participants in creating solutions within their own communities.
Mueni unveiled plans for a Menstrual Bank initiative, an innovative programme aimed at ensuring girls and women can easily access sanitary towels without embarrassment or financial hardship.
She argued that menstrual dignity remains a barrier to education and productivity for thousands of girls across the country.
“A sanitary towel may cost only about Sh100, but for many families that remains unaffordable. We must create systems where communities themselves support girls while at the same time creating employment opportunities for young people who will manage these initiatives,” she said.
She noted that locally produced sanitary products could stimulate manufacturing while addressing period poverty, creating a model that delivers both social impact and employment.
Mueni also challenged Kenyans to embrace community service instead of division and conflict, saying lasting change would come through collective responsibility.
“Instead of spending our energy on destruction, why don’t we build our communities, educate children, feed families and become our brothers’ keepers?” she posed.
The foundation’s work, she said, has already begun making a difference.Over the last five years, HDND Foundation has supported hundreds of vulnerable girls through education programmes and mentorship initiatives while working with partners to address gender-based violence, youth empowerment and leadership development.
Mueni revealed that the foundation has adopted more than 700 young girls across the country through its education programmes and intends to significantly expand the initiative by sponsoring even more learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
She appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists and individuals to support education sponsorships, saying many talented children continue to miss school simply because they cannot afford fees.
Beyond education, Mueni highlighted the growing mental health crisis among young people and employees, arguing that emotional wellbeing, dignity and respectful workplaces are critical to national development.
She called for schools, universities and workplaces to create safe spaces that address mental health, menstrual hygiene and personal wellbeing as part of building productive communities.
Backing the initiative, Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) Board Chairman James Mureu assured the foundation of government support, describing the launch as a practical platform for nurturing entrepreneurship and restoring hope among young people.
Mureu said many dreams collapse because aspiring entrepreneurs lack support despite possessing innovative ideas.
He praised Mueni for turning her vision into reality and pledged that MSEA would continue partnering with the foundation in promoting enterprise development.
“As a ministry, we believe in you. We shall be your first door of endorsement because if we do not believe in our own people, who will?” Mureu said.
He noted that supporting young entrepreneurs remains central to government efforts to reduce unemployment and create sustainable livelihoods through the micro and small enterprise sector.
Nation Media Group Chief Corporate Affairs, Marketing and Partnerships Officer Dr Monica Ndung’u described the launch as far more than the establishment of another charitable organisation.
She said the foundation represents a declaration of confidence in a generation that has often been misunderstood despite demonstrating innovation, resilience and leadership.
Drawing from her own experience of joining senior management at a young age, Ndung’u said many young professionals are frequently told to wait their turn instead of being trusted with opportunities.
She argued that today’s youth have consistently demonstrated their ability to build businesses, create technology, transform communities and provide African solutions to African challenges.
“For too long we have described young people as impatient and disruptive, yet they continue creating opportunities where others only see problems,” she observed.
Ndung’u said HDND Foundation offers a new model that focuses on creating opportunities rather than charity, empowering young people to build independent and sustainable futures.
She challenged institutions across the country to change the narrative surrounding youth by investing in their ideas instead of dismissing them.
Entrepreneur and Foyina Beauty Enterprise founder Lucy Wambui, popularly known as Foyina, credited Mueni with inspiring her to establish a beauty training institute after witnessing the demand for employment opportunities among young people.
She said vocational skills provide far more than income, giving young women confidence, independence and the power to determine their futures.
“When a young woman learns a skill, she gains dignity, choice and the confidence to build her own life. That is why entrepreneurship and skills development matter,” Wambui said.
She added that every investment in young people creates ripple effects that extend beyond individual beneficiaries to entire communities.Also lending his support, leadership mentor Dr Wale Akinyemi challenged leaders to identify and support vulnerable young people before their potential is lost.
Using the biblical story of Lazarus, he urged those in positions of influence to see service as their purpose, saying society has a responsibility to nurture young talent rather than exploit it.
Akinyemi lamented that many young people have become tools for political mobilisation instead of being empowered to lead development.He called for greater investment in mentorship, innovation and youth-led solutions, noting that communities prosper when they intentionally develop the next generation.
“If your presence in this room does not make a difference in someone’s life, then why are you here?” he challenged the audience.
The launch concluded with renewed commitments from partners, corporate leaders and government representatives to support the foundation’s programmes through education sponsorships, entrepreneurship training, mentorship and community development initiatives.
With its focus on education, menstrual dignity, youth employment, entrepreneurship and mental wellness, the HDND Foundation positioned itself as a catalyst for empowering Kenya’s next generation while encouraging every Kenyan to play a role in building stronger, more inclusive communities.
