The areas covered by CCS Mt. Kenya region have an estimated population of 4,246,969 according to the 1999 census. This population comprises people from a diverse religious, cultural, ethnic and socio – economic backgrounds.

Mostly the pastoral – nomadic communities of the Boran, Rendile, Gabara, Turkana, Somali, Samburu and Ndorobo inhabit the northern districts of Moyale, Marsabit and Isiolo. In the southern districts reside the mixed farming groups including the Kikuyu, Meru, Mbeere, Kamba and Tharaka ethnic groups. The predominant religions are Christianity, Islam and traditionalism in that reducing order.

Community Development Needs

•  Promote and intensify food security, livestock production and income generating activities in the catchment areas.

•  Promote availability and utilization of safe water for domestic purposes and promote small-scale irrigation in the targeted areas.

•  Reduce prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases within the vulnerable groups in the catchment areas.

•  Improve on soil, water and environmental conservation within the catchment areas.

•  Promote and support gender issues at leaders and community level

•  To reduce drug and substance abuse, Child and human rights violation and support civic education among the community members.

•  Prepare and mitigate natural disasters for the most vulnerable members of the community.

•  Promote peaceful co-existence among the ethnic groups living within Mt. Kenya East region.

•  Promote human health status to the vulnerable groups and increase life expectancy within Mt. Kenya East region.

• Reduce the illiteracy levels of the agro- pastoralist communities within the region.