About The New Frontier Institute
for Peace and Development
The New Frontier Institute for Peace and Development (Referred to as New Frontier Institute) is an independent, nonpartisan, research and policy think tank based in Kenya, with primary focus on the Northern region of Kenya. The dearth of specific think tank that provide a platform for informed discussions to influence public and strategic choice in Northern Kenya has partly contributed to poor development outcomes. The institute fill this gap by offering services to carrying out rigorous and independent research and analysis of critical regional and county-specific challenges and opportunities.
The institute’s operations are coordinated from Nairobi, Kenya, but its operations are decentralized across the frontier counties through Regional Field offices. The Institute’s mission is to conduct research and analyses and provide commentary on regional matters and offer thoughts on regional socio-economic, political, and development challenges. The Institute’s agenda is defined by three points below:
- An independent policy and research institute and a trusted convener on policy and development dialogues in Kenya and Northern frontier Districts in particular;
- A source of independent analysis and a thought leader on key issues affecting Kenya and with a focus on Northern Kenya. We use evidence-based research to influence peace, investments and policy choices
- A knowledge hub and a repository of independent reports, research papers and technical briefings.
At the New Frontier Institute, our experts generate novel ideas on the best ways to address critical regional challenges and use their positionality to deliver demand driven products and offer technical and policy support. We endeavor to work closely with the county governments, international donors, policymakers, experts, and other stakeholders in the region to develop and deliver supportive policy recommendations. The New Frontier Institute regularly briefs County governors, government officials, county assemblies, MPs and other decision levels on sound technical outcomes of our studies and assessments. The New Frontier Institute owes no allegiance to any political body, persuasion and does not take institutional positions on policy issues, but rather based our advice on sound technical results and evidence.
Our Vision
A regional center of excellence in research and policy matters on pastoral dryland regions of Kenya.
Our Mission Statement
To provide evidence based timely and quality policy advice to the county governments, international donors, policymakers, experts, and other stakeholders and contribute to better development outcomes for Kenya in general and Northern region in particular.
Our Guiding Principles
Operational Strategy
The New Frontier Institute is on a Mission to help solve today’s most pressing political, social, and economic challenges and create a country where all people are safe and prosperous. The Institute seeks to collaborate with government, non-governmental organizations, civil society, and local community to find appropriate solutions to local socio-economic, political, and development challenges. We provide independent research, data and analysis to shape policy decisions .
New Frontier Institute’s nuanced and intuitive understanding of the local cultural, political, and structural complexities of the region allows the institute to provide solutions that are tailored, effective and applicable to the local context and culture. We have the requisite expertise that is experienced in developing appropriate tools and techniques that support actors and stakeholders involved in the governance and development of the Northern Frontier.
In summary, the institute is best placed to:
- Shine spotlight on challenges facing Kenya in general and the Northern Region in particular as well as the untapped potentials and opportunities to put the region on the path of peace and prosperity.
- Highlight how today’s development efforts in the region are not anchored on sound analysis and evidence and provide a platform for fit for purpose data and analysis to drive key development decisions by various actors.
- Bridge the lack of independent, nonpartisan institutions supporting development actors bridging the information gap.
Areas of Focus / Practice Area
Our work tackles a range of specific socio-economic, political, and development topics/issues within the region, grouped across wider themes which cover the breadth of our expertise.