Caritas is a global confederation of Catholic Institutions working in humanitarian emergencies and towards the betterment and fullness of life for the marginalized in the community. Guided by Catholic teachings and gospel teachings, Caritas agencies strive to promote development and justice around the world.

Caritas is organised at local (parish), diocesan, national, regional and international level. National Caritas organisations are each autonomous under their Bishops, but they combine as part of the Caritas Internationalis confederation, which is a body of the Universal Church. In the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Caritas Nairobi is the social and aid development agency of the Archdiocese. Caritas Nairobi is registered as a charitable trust (Archdiocese of Nairobi Social Promotion Registered Trustees), whose chairman is the Archbishop of Nairobi. Governance is through a two-tiered system of Trustees and non-executive Board of Directors.

Caritas Nairobi is mandated by the Archdiocese of Nairobi to coordinate and implement aid and social-economic development programmes and over the years, Caritas has reached thousands of those in need through interventions in Microfinance (Self-help), Refugee aid, agriculture and food security, support for those living with disabilities and HIV/AIDS, Women and Youth empowerment, peer counselling and child protection among others. Caritas Nairobi operates within the Jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Nairobi which covers the counties of Nairobi and Kiambu, which are then divided into Fourteen deaneries. It also has 114 parishes and numerous Christian communities.