The Kea Family

Ismail was born on 14th February 1959 in Kenya and Karin on 27th March 1964 in Switzerland. They got married in Mombasa in 1994 and have three children. Salem born in 1997, followed by Larissa in 2000 and Karama in 2001. Ismail did his DTS in 1984 in Mombasa and Karin in 1985 in England. They both have been in YWAM fulltime since then and joined Athi River base since its inception in 1993.

Ismail loves worship and is leading the worship team at the base. He has done an SBS and led several SBS's at the base. He also serves in the maintenance department and handles the immigration issues for our foreign staff and students. He is part of the base leadership and is a member of YWAM Kenya's legal board.

His vision is to live and teach the word of God to adults, youth and children in the local churches and schools and wherever opportunities are present.


Karin has served many years on the base leadership team at Athi River base and staffed several DTSes, as this has been one of her passions. She has a guiding scripture as a leader of the base: 1Thess. 2:8. She has been the base leader since 2006. She does a lot of administrative work and communication for the base.

Her dreams are to make Athi River base a haven for staff, students, visitors and needy children. She feels God is directing her towards working with teens and youth. She sees a need to help young girls attain womanhood in a godly way.

Presently they have their basic needs covered by God's faithful provision. However, they are in need of prayer as three family members struggle with serious health issues.

For more information contact Karin Kea for more information.