Founded in 2016, Mannabay Foundation aligns with KIPPRA’s call that “gender equality is key, especially in education. It ensures equal rights and opportunities for all. Achieving it reduces poverty, improves maternal health, lowers child mortality, prevents HIV, and reduces violence against women.”
For years, the empowerment of the girl child has been the rallying cry of countless organizations across Kenya.
Gender initiatives have borne fruit, with a Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) report noting that the country is edging closer to gender equality. Yet, amid these strides, one truth remains overlooked: the boy child has often been left behind.
Tradition and perception have long painted boys as less vulnerable, less in need of support. But as Medi Skill Hub observed, this assumption ignores the reality that boys, too, face struggles that demand attention.
In Bahati, Nakuru County, one organization has stepped forward to fill this gap—Mannabay Foundation. Other branches are in Nairobi and Kajiado.
A Mission Rooted in Equality
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Founded in 2016, Mannabay Foundation aligns with KIPPRA’s call that “gender equality is key, especially in education. It ensures equal rights and opportunities for all. Achieving it reduces poverty, improves maternal health, lowers child mortality, prevents HIV, and reduces violence against women.”
But Mannabay adds a crucial dimension: ensuring boys are not excluded from this vision. The foundation provides mental health support, education, and economic opportunities, instilling self-awareness and resilience in young men.
Leadership with Compassion
At the helm is Mary Justus, whose journey is as inspiring as the mission she leads. Growing up in a modest neighborhood, she witnessed firsthand the struggles boys endured limited education, societal pressure, and lack of guidance.
Determined to act, she founded Mannabay Foundation to provide resources, mentorship, and compassion. Her leadership embodies resilience and empathy, qualities that ripple through the organization’s work.
Programs That Transform Lives
Mannabay Foundation runs diverse programs designed to empower boys and strengthen communities:
Education Program
On February 12, 2026, the foundation welcomed 47 students into its education program. Through mentorship, school supplies, and guidance, boys and girls who had lost hope are given a chance to pursue education and reclaim their futures.
Pombe Haramu Relief
In February 2024, when families were devastated by deaths linked to illicit brew, Mannabay stepped in. The foundation offered counseling, assistance to affected children, and community sensitization to prevent future tragedies.
Football Tournaments
Sports are central to Mannabay’s outreach. On January 28, 2024, teams from Kabatini, Lanet, Dundori, Bahati, and Kiamaiana came together for the foundation’s football tournament. Beyond competition, the event fostered discipline, teamwork, and solidarity, engaging families and youth in healthy practices.
A Voice of Advocacy
“Our mission at the Mannabay Foundation is to stand up for the forgotten boy child, fostering self-awareness and stability in young men facing adversity. We work tirelessly to create a healthier society by empowering boys through mental health support, education, and economic opportunities,” reads a statement from their official LinkedIn account.
By tackling poverty, mental health challenges, and discrimination, the foundation restores hope and purpose, enabling boys to grow into confident, resilient leaders.
Impact and Legacy
The impact is undeniable. Mannabay Foundation changes lives by equipping boys with skills, confidence, and leadership. It breaks cycles of poverty and instills the belief that every boy is capable of achieving greatness. With support, these young men are shaping a brighter, more equitable future not just for themselves, but for their communities.
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