The Centre for Research on Organizations, Work and Family (CROWF) is a research hub within Strathmore Business School, Nairobi, established in 2006. The Centre seeks to understand the complex interface between family, professional work, and organizational life in Kenya and across Africa. CROWF generates, translates, educates, and disseminates research that informs both policy and practice in these areas.

To be Africa’s leading research hub on the work-family-business interface, empowering individuals to live with purpose and integrity through research, education, and service, and contributing meaningfully to the continent’s transformation.

CROWF’s mission is to generate and apply interdisciplinary knowledge that affirms the interconnection between organizations, work, and family. Anchored within Strathmore Business School, CROWF advances the University’s mission by delivering high-quality research and contributing to both academic and executive education, infused with transformation and practical insights that foster ethical leadership, social development, and service to society across Africa.

  • To conduct research to evaluate the work-family-business interface among persons, families, and society in general.
  • To develop and grow a network of scholars in work-family-business research through academic colloquia and events.
  • To attend related research meetings and events organized by universities, centers with similar aims.
  • To encourage and participate with public administrations the drafting and implementation of legislation and policies that facilitate work-family-business interface.
  • To communicate and promote human resource management practices which facilitate work and family balance through research forums, practitioners’ seminars (CEO/HR Forums) and specialized courses.
  • To grow partnerships with industry, academia, government and civil society to see the contribution of the family in work and business and to promote a culture of work-family balance.

Our Values

Family Centeredness

We believe strong families are the foundation of thriving individuals, organizations, and societies.

Integrity

We uphold the highest standards of ethics, honesty, and accountability in our research, partnerships, and programs.

Excellence & Impact

We strive for academic rigor and practical solutions that create lasting value for families, organizations, and communities.

Thriving Together

We believe true progress comes when individuals, families, and communities grow in unity, strengthening bonds of social cohesion and collective wellbeing.

Value Proposition

At CROWF, we see marriage as a meaningful covenant and the foundation of thriving families and communities. In collaboration with the Programme for Family Development (PFD), we provide analysis and recommendations to strengthen marriage programmes, ensuring they respond to today’s emerging challenges and opportunities. Our goal is to equip couples with the tools to build marriages rooted in understanding, commitment, and shared purpose, helping them flourish both as partners and as a family.

The Parenting focus area at CROWF aims to strengthen families by equipping parents and caregivers with practical tools and values-based strategies to navigate the evolving demands of parenthood. In collaboration with the Programme for Family Development (PFD), CROWF provides research, analysis, and recommendations to strengthen parenting programmes. Our work ensures that parents and caregivers are supported with relevant tools to nurture strong, healthy relationships with their children at every stage of development. By promoting positive parenting and values-based approaches, we help families create environments where children can thrive and communities can flourish.

CROWF collaborates with the Programme for Family Development (PFD) to support the delivery and evaluation of Character Education initiatives, including Jani Programme, and Maisha@Uni. These programmes aim to instill strong personal values and life skills among young children and university students. CROWF contributes by conducting research and analyzing data generated through these programmes. The resulting reports provide insights into trends in character development and serve as a basis for evidence-informed recommendations, enabling continuous improvement of the programmes and contributing to broader conversations on youth development and values-based leadership.

CROWF has introduced a new research line on Sports Management. Recognizing the positive benefits of sports, such as fostering discipline, building confidence, and nurturing resilience through failure. CROWF seeks to position sports management as a key tool for character development and societal improvement. In line with this vision, CROWF is planning to launch a “Sports Training and Partnership” programme. The initiative aims to encourage stakeholders within the sports sector to view sports not only as a recreational activity but also as a viable business opportunity.

CROWF will focus on initiatives that advocate for healthier integration between work and family life that enhance employee wellbeing. Currently, CROWF is part of a wider network called the Africa Work and Family Researchers Network (AWFRN), which is part of the global network of  Work and Family Research. The aim of this network is to bring together researchers and practitioners to foster a better understanding of work and family, based on African scholarship, African policies, employers, communities, families and individuals.

CROWF has also identified Family Businesses as a critical yet underexplored area within the East African context. Unlike in Western economies, where family-owned enterprises are widely recognized for their economic contribution, family businesses in Kenya and the region are often overlooked or misclassified as ordinary businesses. These enterprises, however, are distinct in nature, rooted in blood ties and generational legacies. To address the gaps in knowledge and support, CROWF offers targeted interventions through the Family Business Executive Programme, which equips family-run enterprises with tools for effective succession planning and long-term strategic growth.

Family Policy

Strengthening families through policy and partnerships.

CROWF has been a key contributor in shaping policy dialogue, research, and implementation for over a decade. Working closely with government ministries, we have consistently promoted family-friendly policies and services that respond to the evolving needs of families in Kenya and beyond.

In Kenya, CROWF, through the leadership of our Director, played an instrumental role in the development of the National Policy on Family Promotion and Protection as part of the Technical Working Group. Today, we continue to collaborate with the Government of Kenya and international partners such as the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Your Content Goes HereAffairs (DESA) to support the implementation of this landmark policy.

Beyond the national level, CROWF is intentional about building continental networks in the family policy space. In July 2025, CROWF joined a Technical Dialogue hosted by the African Union (AU), which brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from across Africa to reflect on the progress of the AU Plan of Action on the Family in Africa. Read more about the AU Dialogue here ➝ (Link to the AU technical dialogue here)

Collaboration is at the heart of CROWF’s work. We believe that strengthening families and societies requires collective effort. Over the years, we have built strong partnerships with:

  • Government and Policymakers – Close collaboration with national ministries and county governments to inform and implement family-friendly policies. Currently, we are working with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services
  • United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) – UNDESA is collaborating with CROWF and the government of Kenya to support the implementation of the national family policy and help deliver our mandate.
  • Network of Work-Family Researchers Network (AWFRN) – CROWF is part of a community that brings together researchers and practitioners to foster a better understanding of work and family from the lens of African scholarship and studies of African policies, employers, communities, families and individuals.
  • International Federation for Family Development (IFFD) – CROWF also partners with IFFD through various engagement and the CROWF Director is also a Member of the Board of IFFD.
  • Programme for Family Development – The Programme for Family Development (PFD) offers marriage, parenting and character education courses, aiming to nurture strong, happy families. It also runs character education programs. CROWF supports the research and evaluation component, helping to measure impact and strengthen the programme’s effectiveness.
  • Oikocredit – Partnered with CROWF to strengthen family-owned SMEs in East Africa through an Executive Education course on family business.

Lay articles published and events attended.

Join CROWF’s Director, Dr. Edwin Obonyo (SCVI), and Robert Yawe (Strathmore Institute) as they sit down with SME alumni to explore their entrepreneurial journeys, their challenges, successes, and lessons learned.

Click to Listen

Meet our Team

Mr. Raymond Mutura

CROWF Director & Family Business Hub Lead

Dr. Jotham Njoroge

Character and Education Hub Lead

Ms. Naomi Mwangi

Work-Family Balance Hub Lead

Mr. Richard Wanjohi

Sports Management Hub Lead

Tom Kimani

Family Enrichment Hub Lead

Ms. Sharon Osembo

Research Associate

Mr. Philip Mumo

Research Assistant