The organisation has also invested Sh160 million in sponsoring girls’ education, while Sh95 million has been disbursed in low-interest loans to young people

Shofco CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede and Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili during Kisumu County Shofco Urban Network leaders election at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds./HANDOUT

Shining Hope for Communities (Shofco) has invested more than Sh450 million in community development projects across Kisumu County, supporting access to water, education, youth employment and business development.

Shofco Chief Executive Officer Dr Kennedy Odede said the organisation had spent Sh50 million to construct 60 water pans, helping communities improve access to water for domestic use and other livelihood activities.

Odede said the investments were part of Shofco’s efforts to expand economic opportunities and improve living conditions for vulnerable communities through programmes that respond to their needs.

“We believe that lasting development begins when communities have the resources, skills and opportunities to shape their own future. Our investment in Kisumu is about helping young people earn a living, keeping girls in school, improving access to water and supporting communities to find solutions to the challenges they face,” said Odede.

He was speaking in Kisumu during the election of new leaders of the Shofco Urban Network (SUN), a community-led movement that mobilises residents to identify local challenges and advocate for improved service delivery.

Odede said SUN had more than 120,000 members in Kisumu County, providing a platform for residents to participate in community development and engage government on issues affecting their neighbourhoods.

He added that Shofco had handled 12,000 gender-based violence (GBV) cases in the county, providing support to survivors as part of efforts to strengthen protection and access to justice.

The organisation has also invested Sh30 million in supporting community-based organisations (CBOs) to initiate development projects, while another Sh30 million has been provided in grants to 400 young people to help them pursue income-generating activities.

More than 1,000 young people have also undergone apprenticeship training to equip them with practical skills and improve their chances of securing employment or starting their own enterprises.

Odede said the organisation was committed to working with community leaders, government agencies and local groups to ensure development programmes reached people who needed them most.

He challenged the newly elected SUN leaders to remain accountable to residents and prioritise issues that directly affect their communities.

“Community leadership is not about holding a title. It is about listening to people, understanding their challenges and organising them to take action. The leaders elected today must ensure that the voices of ordinary residents are heard and that development responds to their priorities,” he said.

Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Ochieng Owili commended Shofco for partnering with the county government and supporting programmes that complement public development efforts.

Owili said partnerships between county governments and community organisations were essential in addressing challenges that required sustained investment and close engagement with residents.

“Development becomes more meaningful when government works hand in hand with organisations that understand the realities of the communities they serve. Shofco has demonstrated the value of investing in people, and we appreciate its contribution to improving livelihoods and expanding opportunities for our residents,” said Owili.

He said the county government remained committed to working with development partners to strengthen service delivery, support vulnerable households and create opportunities for young people.

Owili added that community networks such as SUN played an important role in ensuring residents participated in identifying local priorities and holding institutions accountable for delivering on their commitments.

Among the beneficiaries of Shofco’s programmes is Perpetual Anyango, a resident of Obunga slums who has benefited from the organisation’s women’s empowerment initiative.

Anyango said the programme had equipped her with dressmaking skills, provided her with a grant and trained her in business management, enabling her to pursue self-employment.

She said the combination of practical training and financial support had helped her move beyond acquiring a skill to understanding how to turn it into a sustainable source of income.

“Before this training, I had the desire to do something for myself, but I did not have all the skills and knowledge I needed. Shofco taught me dressmaking, gave me a grant to help me get started and showed me how to manage a business,” said Anyango.

She added that learning how to manage money, serve customers and plan her business had been just as important as mastering dressmaking.

“Having a skill is one thing, but knowing how to turn it into a business is another. I now understand that I can use what I have learned to earn an income, support my family and build something that belongs to me. That is the kind of opportunity that gives a woman confidence and hope for the future,” she said.