Africa
Kenya.
Kenya's statute books place the word "Harambee" (Swahili, commonly rendered as pulling together) on the national coat of arms and list it among protected national words. A 2013 Act sets a registration and tax framework for public benefit organizations, and a 1965 Act incorporates the Kenya Red Cross Society, whose stated objects include volunteer aid and disaster relief. The Penal Code creates duties of care for people who have charge of others, not for strangers in general.
Is there a legal duty to help a stranger?
LimitedThe Penal Code (Cap. 63) section 216 makes it the duty of a person having charge of another who cannot provide for himself to provide the necessaries of life, and section 239 makes failure to supply necessaries an offense when a person is charged with that duty. Sections 218 and 219 add duties of reasonable skill and care for those who undertake dangerous acts or control dangerous things. The text reviewed contains no provision requiring a bystander with no prior relationship to help a stranger in danger; the Traffic Act section 73 requires a driver involved in an accident to stop and report it, and does not mention giving aid.
Are people who help protected?
None foundNo Good Samaritan or immunity provision was found in the Traffic Act text reviewed (a search for "samaritan", "good faith", "render assistance" and "first aid" returned nothing). The Health Act 2017 text could not be fully loaded, so this guide cannot say whether a protection exists elsewhere in Kenyan law. Article 43(2) of the Constitution states that a person shall not be denied emergency medical treatment, which is a right and not a protection for helpers.
How the government promotes giving and service
Ways to give and volunteer
Kenya has an active nonprofit and community sector, and many hospitals and schools are run by faith-based groups. The most important thing is to confirm that an organization is registered.
Check a charity before you give
The regulator keeps the register of public benefit organizations, which replaces the older NGO registration, and warns the public to check it.
Give your time
Give money, blood or a donation
In an emergency or a crisis
Before you act
- Scammers copy charity names and ask for mobile money transfers, so check the group on the PBORA register and pay only to named organization accounts.
- Visitors who volunteer need the correct visa or permit, so check immigration rules and the rules for the placement before traveling.
This list covers only a few national and well-known channels and does not rank charities or cover every local group. Checked 2026-10-28. Listing an organization is not an endorsement, and none of them has endorsed this site. Some official sites block automatic checks, so a link may need a second try.
One thing worth knowing
"Harambee" is written into the statute that describes the coat of arms (Second Schedule, Part II of the National Flag, Emblems and Names Act), so a self-help tradition is also a state symbol.
What this does not mean
This guide found no statute that regulates or promotes harambee fundraising events themselves, and it did not verify the current status of any fundraising bills. The Public Benefits Organizations Act benefits go to registered organizations, not directly to individual helpers. Texts are the English versions published by Kenya Law; they are not legal advice. This is a plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice, and it does not rank countries. No government named here has endorsed this site. Not reviewed by a lawyer. Statutes were read in public sources and may have changed. Last checked October 26, 2026.