Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) has deepened its footprint in the Nyanza
region with the official launch of a new Community Empowerment Centre in Sega,
Siaya County.
The launch was accompanied by a donation of two 36-seater buses to support
local development initiatives.
The initiative is part of SHOFCO’s mission to decentralise essential
services and amplify community-led development in marginalised and underserved
regions of Kenya.
Speaking during the launch, SHOFCO Founder and CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede
emphasised that the new centre and bus donation represent more than
infrastructure.
“Today is not just about a centre. It’s about dignity. It’s about
opportunity. And it’s about justice.
“We are here because we believe in Siaya. We believe in the youth, in the mothers,
in the community leaders, and in every single person who wants to see change.
This centre will offer training, resources, healthcare, mentorship, and most
importantly, hope,” Dr. Odede said.
The launch, held at the new centre grounds in Sega, Ugenya Sub County, drew
hundreds of residents, government officials, political leaders, youth and
women’s groups, from across the county.
The SHOFCO boss reminded the area residents that they need to lead change in
their areas, citing how he started his organisation from nothing.
“When I founded SHOFCO in Kibera with just a football and a dream, I never
imagined we would grow into a national movement. But we did because of the
people.
“Real, ordinary people who believed that their lives matter. And that same
belief is what brings us here to Siaya today,” Dr. Odede stated.
The donated buses will be used to support youth empowerment programs,
transport for women’s groups, health outreach initiatives, and emergency
community support, among other activities.
Ugenya Sub County Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Beatrice Bigeyo, who
officiated the event on behalf of the national government, welcomed SHOFCO’s
partnership and praised the organisation's grassroots approach.
“We are proud to have SHOFCO as a development partner in Siaya. This is not
an organisation that imposes; it listens, collaborates, and empowers.
“The launch of this centre aligns perfectly with our country's development
agenda, especially in promoting youth employment, health access, and gender
equity,” Bigeyo said.
The DCC said the buses will help ease mobility for Shofco Urban Network
(SUN) members in the county and generate income for them.
“The buses will directly impact our communities, especially in remote areas
where transport has been a major challenge for accessing services. This is also
a great income-generating activity. On behalf of the national government, we
say thank you,” she stated.
SHOFCO, under its SUN program, has over 300,000 members in Siaya County.
The community centre was the fifth to be launched in the county.
Community leaders also voiced strong support and appreciation for the
initiative.
Mary Atieno, a women’s group leader from Sega, called the centre a “lifeline”
for local women.
“For so long, women here have lacked safe spaces to gather, to learn skills,
to access support. SHOFCO has changed that today. This centre will help us
build businesses, protect our girls, and stand together,” she said.
Youth leader Kevin Ochieng, from Ugenya, highlighted the centre’s potential
to curb youth unemployment.
“We always talk about youth being the leaders of tomorrow, but the truth is
we need to be equipped today. SHOFCO is giving us the tools, training,
mentorship, even transport. This centre will be the heart of youth-driven
change in Siaya,” Ochieng stated.
Ochieng has also benefitted from SHOFCO’s TVET program that has supported
hundreds of young people in the county to acquire technical skills.
The SHOFCO Siaya Centre will offer a wide range of programs including ICT
and business skills training, civic education, gender services, community hall,
school library, tailoring unit and community organizing platforms.
SHOFCO, which began in Nairobi’s Kibera slum 20 years ago, now operates in
over 35counties, reaching more than six million Kenyans annually.
“This work is not about charity. It’s
about justice. We are not here to do things for you, we are here to do things
with you. Let’s hold hands and build a new chapter for Siaya. A chapter of
inclusion, dignity, and power for the people,” Odede stated.
