Home | The Omari Project

Who We Are

The Omari Project (TOP) is a community-based organization founded in 1995 with a mission to transform the lives of individuals affected by drug use—especially heroin users—through compassionate, evidence-based support. Our work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves dignity, care, and the opportunity for a better life.

We take an integrated approach to drug abuse intervention, focusing on:

Treatment and rehabilitation of drug users, including ongoing, community-based follow-up.
Peer-led outreach through a structured program coordinated at our Drop-In Center (DIC), approved by the National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP).
Advocacy to raise awareness among stakeholders and promote a human rights-based, public health approach to preventing HIV among people who use drugs.

Our outreach efforts target individuals who use or inject drugs, delivering a minimum package of HIV harm reduction services. We work with young people under 18 in schools to raise drug awareness, combat stigma, and provide them with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed choices.

At our core, we are driven by community, compassion, and the belief that change is possible when people are given the right support. We are not just a service provider—we are a movement for healing, inclusion, and second chances.

Our History Our Governance

Our Mission

Reduce HIV/AIDS linked to drug use

Our Vision

A community free from drug-related health risks

Our Key Values

The fundamental principles that guide all our interactions and services

Confidentiality

In ALL interactions, with ALL people - clients, stakeholders & community members.

Equality

Embracing diverse clientele, inclusive of all, working to remove bias and barriers.

Quality

Evidence-based therapies with continuous monitoring of performance.

Respect

Maintaining the dignity & rights of clients, using their own plans for personal development.

Our History

The Omari Project was established in 1995 in response to the growing heroin crisis in the coastal region of Kenya. Initially focused on rehabilitation and support for people who use drugs, we quickly recognized the need for a broader, more integrated response that included community involvement, harm reduction, and HIV prevention.

In 2006, with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Academy for Educational Development (AED), we officially launched our community-based outreach program. This marked a turning point in our work, allowing us to reach more people more effectively through the peer-led model—a strategy proven to build trust and sustain long-term behavior change among drug users.

That same year, our impact and credibility earned us selection by the USAID-funded Capable Partners (CAP) Kenya Program. In February 2007, we formalized our partnership through a grant agreement, solidifying our role as a key player in harm reduction and HIV prevention in Kenya.

Over the years, we've expanded our reach, deepened our community roots, and adapted to emerging challenges—always staying true to our mission of transforming lives through respect, care, and collaboration.

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About The Omari Project