Thousands of residents in Mombasa County have benefited from community development projects worth more than Sh130 million rolled out by Shining Hope for Communities (Shofco), targeting education, youth employment, women's empowerment and grassroots economic growth.
The investments were highlighted during the election of new leaders of the Shofco Urban Network (SUN) at Tonoka Grounds in Mombasa, where county leaders praised the organisation for transforming lives in some of the county's most vulnerable communities.
"We are investing in Mombasa because we believe in the potential of its people. Every child deserves access to quality education, every young person deserves an opportunity to build a better future and every woman deserves a chance to thrive economically," Shofco founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr Kennedy Odede said during the SUN election that brought together 5000 delegates.
Dr Odede said communities can overcome poverty and inequality when residents are organised and given opportunities to lead their own development.
According to the organisation, more than 800 secondary school students in Mombasa have received scholarships worth Sh45 million, enabling children from vulnerable families to remain in school and complete their education.
The organisation has also invested heavily in youth empowerment through technical and vocational training programmes.
Community-based organisations have also received grants amounting to Sh32 million to strengthen grassroots initiatives and community-led development programmes.
Women entrepreneurs have not been left behind, with 250 women receiving business grants worth Sh6.5 million to start or expand their enterprises.
Shofco has further invested Sh21 million in community buses that support local transport and economic activities, while another Sh20 million has been channelled towards supporting 500 traders and business people through local service provider initiatives.
The organisation also operates community centres in Kisauni, Maweni, Changamwe, Bangladesh and Likoni.
The centres host a range of empowerment programmes, including school libraries, computer laboratories, women's empowerment initiatives and community halls that provide spaces for training, meetings and social engagement.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir lauded Shofco for complementing government efforts in improving the lives of residents.
"Development is most meaningful when it reaches the people at the grassroots. Shofco has demonstrated that partnerships between communities, organisations and government can create real and lasting change. The impact of these programmes can be seen in our schools, among our youth and in the livelihoods of families across Mombasa," said the governor.
He said the county government remains committed to working with development partners to expand opportunities for young people and women and improve access to education and economic empowerment programmes.
Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed said she had personally witnessed the transformation brought about by Shofco's community centres, particularly among women.
"The community centres have become safe spaces where women are learning new skills, accessing information and finding opportunities to improve their lives. I have met women who have started businesses, become financially independent and regained hope because of these programmes," she said.
She noted that community-driven initiatives remain critical in addressing poverty and inequality in urban informal settlements and urged more organisations to invest in programmes that directly empower residents.
Dr Odede said the election of new SUN leaders was an important step in strengthening community ownership of development programmes and ensuring that local residents remain at the centre of decision-making.
"The greatest solutions to poverty are found within communities themselves. Our role is to walk alongside residents, invest in their ideas and support them to become agents of change in their own neighbourhoods," he said.
The Shofco Urban Network, which has mobilised more than 3.5 million people across Kenya, brings together community leaders to champion local development initiatives and advocate for better services in their communities.
SUN has 150,000 members in Mombasa County.
