The Founder Ms. Jael Ogombe Mbogo initiated the Mama Jael Centre for Peace and Development as a community based organisation in the year 1998.

The Centre has since been registered as a civil society organisation with branches in Siaya District and Kajiado District respectively (Western and South Rift Valley Provinces of Kenya). The Mama Jael Centre is affiliated to and working in collaboration with the Citizens Coalition for Constitutional Change (4cs Trust) as well as Kazi Riziki (Labour Caucus).  

These two organisations have excellent national networks for reaching out to other women groups that need assistance in developmental areas as well as peace propagation.

WHY THE CENTRE

I developed a strong love for social work, especially among women and children from my early school days. This interest did not just leave my heart. As I continued with my education right through high school and later to university, to specifically pursue and learn more about social work, in my mind, I was always looking for opportunity to work and serve those who really needed help and advice on how to get on with their daily lives in a meaningful manner.

A little earlier on, I had been involved in the struggle for the liberation of my country and at the tender age of 25 years, was elected to represent the interest of the underprivileged Africans living in the Eastlands of Nairobi City as a Councillor. This was the height of Mau Mau uprising in Kenya and being a City Councillor, sharpened my outlook in life and opened the door for further understanding of how important it was to interact with a cross section of the African communities living in most difficult situations under emergency laws imposed on us by the Colonial power. The two years I served as a Councillor, made it possible for me to not only appreciate the need for our country to be free from foreign domination, but specifically moulded and articulated my mind for greater struggle in the main field of politics.

It became absolutely necessary for me to get out of the country in order to have exposure and understanding of the greater issues involved in leadership at a higher level. My opportunity came in early 1960 when I had to travel to the United States , having won an International Essay competition organised by the New York based Committee of Correspondence. I was attached to the League of Women Voters of the US.A., for a period of six months and participated in the preparations and elections of the late J:F. Kennedy. After the elections, I was able to join Howard University in Washington D.C. where I pursued a Diploma Course in Home Economics and Social Work.

Armed with a diploma in Home Economics and Social Work, I returned back to my country in early l962 to take on the leadership of one of the largest women's organisations known as ` Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation ´ , as Secretary General for one year. The following year, 1963, I was elected its President. I remain a Founder Member of the Organisation till to-day.

For many years I led this noble organisation and formed thousands of women's groups and clubs throughout the country. In addition, under my leadership, formation and establishment of Nursery schools for small children become a priority as well as a necessity. This was in order to free women so that they could take part in club and group activities.

The main aim of the organisation was to empower women for greater participation in development and leadership in a free and independent Kenya .

Even after stepping down from the leadership of Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation , in order to join elective politics. I remained an active member and advocate of women's liberation struggle till now. I have served in very many Non-governmental organisations, including founding many others such as:-

•  The Freedom from Hunger Council,

•  Education Centre for Women in Democracy,

•  The League of Women Voters of Kenya and currently

•  Co- Chairing the Citizen's Coalition for Constitutional Change (The .4cs) Trust.

All these organisations operate at a national level and though do wonderful work in trying to emancipate women countrywide; there is still need to reach out to the downtrodden women in the rural areas. Those who have no means and their level of understanding remain low due to inadequate communication and information system. They are always poor, sick and lack the most basic human needs at the grassroots levels.

Indeed, I could not help but go back to the grassroots and work with these struggling women. This has been the main reason why I started the Mama Jael Centre for Peace and Development (JCPD) . It is my strong belief that development can only take place where there is peace and stability, both spiritually, socially, politically and economically. The Centre will always strive to address these fundamental issues that hinder the human development within our society and will endeavour to partner with anyone, organisation, corporate bodies, both local and international who share the same aims and objectives like us.