Locally Anchored. Transparently Governed.

Governance & Secretariat

AHN operates through a member-led governance system and a dedicated secretariat that ensures strategic leadership, coordination, and accountability across Kenya’s ASAL regions.

Governance Framework

AHN’s governance framework is designed to uphold democratic representation, promote inclusive leadership, and ensure strategic alignment with the priorities of ASAL communities. The General Assembly, comprising Executive Directors and CEOs of member organizations, serves as the supreme decision-making body. The AHN Board, drawn from across ASAL counties and reflecting gender equity, provides strategic oversight and policy guidance, anchoring the network in shared accountability and collective leadership.

General Assembly

The General Assembly is AHN’s highest authority, bringing together Executive Directors and CEOs of all member organizations. It formulates strategic direction, ratifies policy decisions, and ensures the network remains anchored in member consensus and accountability.

AHN Board

The AHN Board is a 10-member body representing ASAL counties and gender equity. It oversees policy implementation, safeguards the network’s mission, and provides leadership to advance locally led action and coordinated humanitarian governance.

Secretariat Structure

The Secretariat serves as the operational engine of the ASAL Humanitarian Network. It is led by the Team Leader (CEO) and supported by a team of thematic leads and technical specialists who coordinate daily functions, support member engagement, and ensure implementation of the network’s strategic priorities.

Team Leader (CEO)

Provides overall leadership to the Secretariat, oversees implementation of AHN’s strategic plan, and ensures coordination across national and county platforms. The Team Leader also represents the network in external engagements and ensures alignment with governance directives.

Thematic Leads and Core Functions

County Forums

AHN’s County Forums serve as decentralized coordination units that strengthen grassroots engagement and amplify local voices. Each forum facilitates collaboration among member organizations, local governments, and community stakeholders to ensure that county-specific priorities inform national-level strategy, advocacy, and response. These forums are essential for aligning AHN’s programming with the realities of each ASAL context, enhancing accountability, and reinforcing the leadership of locally rooted actors.

Technical Working Groups (TWGs)

Technical Working Groups (TWGs) form the backbone of AHN’s technical coordination and strategic delivery. These expert-led forums bring together experienced practitioners from across member organizations to advance learning, co-develop tools, standardize approaches, and address complex challenges in real time. Each TWG focuses on a specific thematic area critical to AHN’s mission—ensuring depth, relevance, and accountability in how the network operates and responds. This structure not only strengthens technical rigor but also enables members to collaborate across counties, leverage diverse expertise, and drive coherent, locally led solutions across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. As part of AHN’s governance ecosystem, TWGs enhance responsiveness, amplify evidence-based influence, and position the network as a model for coordinated action rooted in ASAL realities.