P.O. Box 5752-80200, Malindi, Kenya | 
+254 723 076 039 · 0796 118 599
ipd-tabiazetu@yahoo.com · ipdkulamusana@gmail.com
IPD-Kulamusana believes people cannot be subjects of development — they can only develop themselves. We facilitate that transformation across Kenya’s Coast Region.
About IPD-K
IPD-Kulamusana was established due to the perceived failures of development projects within Kilifi County and the broader Coast Region. Coast inhabitants were long assumed to be less development-conscious — the founders believed the contrary.
Before missionaries arrived, the region exported mangoes, cereals and coconuts to India and Eastern countries. That industrious culture remains — and any meaningful change must embrace it.
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What We Do
Community-driven, culture-rooted, and rights-based programmes across the Coast Region.
Promoting active citizen participation in planning, budgeting, and accountability at all governance levels.
Training CBOs and agencies in PLA methodologies. 200+ community resource persons trained across 4 sub-counties.
Over 8,000 title deeds facilitated for squatter and marginalized communities through the Mwanati Asilia project.
Community Voices
It is through IPD-K that Majivuni Secondary School came to be. Through civic education, residents advocated for their rights and called for meaningful project implementation.
IPD-K heard our plight and helped us secure land for Kisiwani Primary School. No longer do floods prevent our young ones from getting an education.
Join us in building communities that develop themselves — as a partner or a supporter.
Rooted in culture. Driven by community participation since 1994.
Our Story
The Institute of Participatory Development-Kulamusana was established on the backdrop of mass failures of development projects in Kilifi County (then Kilifi District) and the broader Coast Region. Coast Province/Region inhabitants were long regarded as “least development conscious” — blamed on a culture that outsiders, foreign missionaries, colonial governments, and successive independent Kenya governments all considered retrogressive.
The key founders believed in the contrary: people in this region are hardworking and development conscious. Before missionaries arrived, people lived an industrious and productive life. The mangoes and coconuts were planted and cultivated by the indigenous people; cereals were exported from the Galana River delta to India and Eastern countries. Culture — far from being retrogressive — was and remains the major tool for change. Culture is a way of life, and any meaningful change must be assimilated into it.
Upon establishment, a key consideration was that the people of Coast Province are industrious, but outsiders have always been negative toward them based on their culture and lifestyle. The Christian/Jewish culture and Muslim/Arab culture — both considered “holy and superior” to their hosts by outsiders — have been firmly resisted for centuries. This resistance was not backwardness; it was the assertion of a living, dynamic culture.
IPD-K is a sprout of the many Participatory Development activities initiated in 1994 in the then Kilifi District. When the Germans introduced Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) concepts, it came hand in hand with the culture of the people — though practiced with outside influence, it lacked full respect for that culture. Locals who participated realised the relationship between the methods and their culture, and took the initiative to establish IPD-K to promote participatory methods blended with culture for total adoption and long-term sustainability. IPD-K was born to bridge the gap where government and donor money continued to be poured with little evidence to show whenever projects ended.
Background
IPD-Kulamusana (IPD-K) is a Non-Political, Non-Religious, Non-Governmental Human Development Organisation registered under the PBO Act 2013, formerly the NGO Co-ordination Act of 1990; Registration No. OP.218/015/9984/1271 of 9th September 1999.
The concept of participation is African — as portrayed in communal family setups, communal land ownership, traditional water sharing, and child-rearing. Basically, many aspects of society are “community responsibility and community owned.” When the Germans introduced Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), it came hand in hand with the culture of the people, though practiced with outside influence, it lacked full respect for that culture.
The whole idea was to promote Participatory Development methods and blend them with culture, making the methods submerge into the people’s culture for total adoption and sustainability. Development without people’s approval or adoption has seen many projects scramble with failures — with blemishes on communities being labelled as “non-responsive to development initiatives.” IPD-K was born to bridge that gap.
Our Foundation
To build the capacity of all stakeholders in community development to effectively participate together in planning, implementing and monitoring of development projects and programs for sustainable transformation of lives.
To promote sustainable development through community participation.
Have communities in the Coast Region analysing their own situations — be it Health, Farming, Education, or Environment — then initiating, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating projects increasingly on their own.
Leadership
Raphael Mzungu Ngoma is the CEO and Founder of the Institute of Participatory Development–Kulamusana (IPD-K), a non-profit, non-Political, non-Religious, non-Governmental Human Development Organisation.
Mzungu Ngoma’s heart and love for the community began early, and in 1999 IPD was born. He went on to work in the NGO sector, which saw him study and earn a Diploma in Management Development and later graduate with a Degree in Community Development.
He spent the next 15 years serving as Patron of IPD-Tabia Zetu, now IPD-Kulamusana, implementing various impactful community projects throughout Kilifi County. Mzungu Ngoma is a frequent speaker at conferences, churches, and training events worldwide.
He is married and a proud parent of three children.
Organisational Structure
IPD-K maintains a flexible structure that enables it to respond effectively to community needs and operational challenges.
Click on any position holder to upload their photo (feature coming soon)
Geographic Reach
IPD-K holds autonomy to operate across the entire Coast Region — from Kiunga in the north to Lunga-Lunga in the south. Entry point: Dagamra Location, Garashi Ward, Magarini Sub-County, Kilifi County.
Community-driven, culture-rooted, and rights-based programmes across the Coast Region.
What We Do
A human being cannot be a subject to be developed — they can only develop themselves. IPD-K facilitates that transformation through six core programme areas.
Promoting active citizen participation in planning, budgeting, and accountability monitoring at ward, sub-county, and county levels. Through our Mshombo Community Platforms (Bunge la Wananchi), we create grassroots parliaments that operationalise the public participation mandate of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
Training CBOs, government agencies, and community leaders in Participatory Learning Action (PLA) methodologies. Over 200 community resource persons have been trained across Magarini, Malindi, Kilifi North and Ganze Sub-Counties, equipping them to plan, implement, and monitor development in their own communities.
Facilitating legal land ownership for squatter communities and marginalized groups. Through the Mwanati Asilia project (VOICE Kenya 2021–2024), IPD-K facilitated over 8,000 title deeds, reduced cases of elder killings linked to land disputes, and expanded land justice access across 4 sub-counties.
Culturally rooted campaigns using music, drama, and community theatre to promote prevention, reduce stigma, and build resilient health practices. Projects include Tabia Zetu (NACC 2003) and Zhehu Zhenye (TOWA 2012), reaching thousands of residents in Magarini and Marafa Sub-Counties.
Facilitating community-led responses to climate change including environmental conservation, reforestation, and climate-smart agriculture. Communities are mobilised to establish tree nurseries, protect water catchments, and adopt sustainable land use practices for long-term resilience.
Offering proposal preparation, social audits, project monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilisation, and project management to NGOs, CBOs, government agencies, and research institutions. IPD-K’s experienced team brings participatory methods to every engagement.
Our Services
Beyond our core programmes, IPD-K offers hands-on services that put participatory development into practice on the ground.
We offer CBOs and clients support to develop proposals, projects, talent, change, and team leadership in communities.
We involve the community throughout the different stages of learning and developing community actions.
We coordinate and advise various community-based programmes in Health, Land, Education, and Agriculture in communities.
We prepare, consult, and train individuals and PBOs in different areas and themes of project proposal preparation and canvassing.
Whether it’s funding, manpower, or tools — rallying the resources. IPD-Kulamusana helps guide and nurture different projects into fruition.
At IPD-Kulamusana, we help track, monitor, and evaluate different types of projects in our communities.
We use public awareness campaigns to educate the community on issues concerning HIV/AIDS, Land Rights, Alcohol, Tobacco, and other drugs.
We put project plans into action — coordinating and directing project resources across different frontiers of the community at large.
Three decades of community-led impact across Kenya's Coast Region.
Project History
Facilitated civic education on Kenya's constitutional review across Marafa Division.
NACC-funded HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programme in Magarini Sub-county.
View project reportDrought response through installation of a booster pump for Bamba water project, Ganze Sub-county.
Participation in Partnership programme covering Malindi Municipal Council's jurisdiction.
Amkeni waKenya-funded governance and participation project in Malindi and Magarini Sub-counties.
HIV and AIDS project covering Marafa in Magarini Sub-county.
Voter education programme covering Ganze Sub-County.
Organisational capacity building programme for IPD-K secretariat and board.
Bunge la Mwananchi initiative creating community-level governance forums in Magarini Ward.
UNDP Amkeni waKenya project supporting legal land rights in Malindi and Magarini Sub-counties.
Facilitated 8,000+ title deeds, reduced elder killings, and expanded land justice access across 4 sub-counties.
Community mentorship and civic empowerment initiative covering Malindi and Magarini sub-counties.
Community Organisations Supported by IPD-K
Building community power through participation, capacity, and accountability.
The 2024-2028 Strategic Focus centres the Mshombo Community Platforms concept — creating community-level parliaments (Bunge la Wananchi) that operationalise the public participation mandate of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
Strategic Objectives
Strengthen and empower IPD-K’s board, staff, and resource mobilisation capabilities.
Build the capacity of sectoral development committees and CBOs in participatory methodologies for effective service delivery in 4-20 wards by December 2028.
Develop and facilitate community partnerships addressing climate change, water supply, poverty, HIV/AIDS, civic education, food insecurity, and school infrastructure.
Advocate for equal representation and promote the welfare of minority ethnic groups and special interest groups in Kilifi County.
Strengthen IPD-K through local, national and international networking for project development, resourcing, implementation, and M&E.
Strengthening organizational capacity for training, consulting and project management
Promoting human rights as outlined in international charters and the Kenyan Constitution
Building the capacity of CBOs and government agencies for effective service delivery
Promoting public participation in all governance sectors for uniform development
Building local and national networks for improved service delivery and resource access
Climate change adaptation and environmental conservation
Water, hygiene, sanitation and sustainable livelihoods
Heard from the ground — the people whose lives IPD-K has helped shape.
Testimonials
The measure of our work is in the words of the communities we serve.
My journey with IPD-K dates back to my youthful years. It is through its involvement that Majivuni Secondary School came to be, and the Ca-bro road passing through Majengo. Through community training and civic education, residents advocated for their rights and called for meaningful project implementation.
For many years, we struggled without a school for our children. Our children missed school because the path flooded during rains. IPD-K listened to our plight, wrote a proposal, and today Kisiwani Primary School serves children from four villages. No longer do floods prevent our young ones from getting an education.
Being from a community that was in the dark in matters of public participation, it was a norm seeing leaders come up with dubious projects. The coming of IPD-K changed that. Through their work we were able to start Ganda Secondary School and the Ganda VTC, which now serves our entire community.
From under a tree to a church and finally to its own compound. IPD-K helped us have a robust discussion with the elected leader and the community. It is through this that the land Garashi Secondary School sits on was purchased and the school built.
The dream for a school in our community began in 1998. In 2010, IPD-K sat down with the community and advised us. It is through IPD-K that a proposal was written to ADC Kenya which granted us a place to construct a school. Had it not been for their intervention, we would still be teaching our kids under a tree.
From a school under a tree to over ten classrooms. IPD-K drafted a proposal that bore fruit: the Catholic mission built 4 classrooms, another donor added 9, and the MP added 2 more. From “Bura Bure” to “Bura Bora” — I am deeply grateful to IPD-K.
Your Voice Matters
Whether you’re a community member, partner, or supporter — IPD-K wants to hear from you.
Contact UsA committed team working alongside communities to advance participatory development across the Coast Region.
Team Spotlight
Our team brings together leadership, community experience, participatory methods, and practical knowledge of the Coast Region.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder
Leading IPD-K’s community-centred vision, partnerships, and long-term organisational direction across the Coast Region.
“Participatory development is community power.”
Administration
Admin Department
MEAL Officer
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
Finance
Financial Management and Administration
Project Coordinator
Project Implementation and Community Support
Project Officer I
Project Implementation and Community Support
GIS Specialist
Geographic Information and Mapping
Field Officer
Community Engagement and Field Coordination
Work With Us
If you would like to partner with our team or support community-led development, we would be glad to hear from you.
Contact UsAnswers to common questions about IPD-K, our programmes, and partnership opportunities.
Can’t find the answer you need? Send us a message.
A look back at our publications and the events that have shaped our communities.
Our Work, Documented
Reports, project briefs, and documentation from IPD-K’s past initiatives across the Coast Region.
We welcome community members, funders, government partners, and researchers.
Reach Us
Whether you’re a community group, a funder, a government agency, or an individual seeking support — we welcome the conversation.
Tell us briefly how we can support your community or organisation.
Visit Us
Along Malindi-Mombasa Road, opposite BP Petrol station, next to Malindi Baptist Church.
Support Community-Led Development
Choose an amount, then pay in seconds from your phone using M-Pesa Paybill. Every contribution supports community-led development on Kenya’s Coast.
Partners We Work With
UNDP / Amkeni waKenya
GIZ (formerly GTZ)
CISP
National Land Commission
County Government of Kilifi
ADC Kenya
Vi Agroforestry