SHOFCO invests KSh130 Million in Mombasa community projects

The organisation outlined the impact of its programmes during the election of new leaders of the SHOFCO Urban Network (SUN) at Tononoka Grounds, an event that attracted about 5,000 delegates from across the county.

SHOFCO founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kennedy Odede said the investments were intended to help communities overcome poverty by expanding access to education, skills training and economic opportunities.

"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," Odede said.

According to SHOFCO, more than 800 secondary school students from vulnerable families have received scholarships worth KSh45 million, enabling them to remain in school and complete their education.

The organisation said it has also awarded technical and vocational education and training (TVET) scholarships to more than 1,200 young people, while investing KSh20 million in an apprenticeship programme that has engaged more than 3,000 trainers to equip youth with practical skills.

Community-based organisations have received grants totalling KSh32 million to strengthen grassroots initiatives, while 250 women entrepreneurs have benefited from business grants worth KSh6.5 million to start or expand their enterprises.

SHOFCO further said it has invested KSh21 million in community buses to improve local transport and support economic activities, alongside another KSh20 million to assist 500 traders and business owners through local service provider initiatives.

The organisation operates community centres in Kisauni, Maweni, Changamwe, Bangladesh and Likoni, offering services including school libraries, computer laboratories, women's empowerment programmes and community halls for training and meetings.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said SHOFCO's programmes were complementing county government efforts to improve livelihoods and create economic opportunities for 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," he said.

The governor said the county government would continue partnering with development organisations to expand access to education, youth empowerment programmes and women's economic initiatives.

Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed said SHOFCO's community centres had become important spaces for empowering women through skills development and entrepreneurship.

"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.

Odede said the election of new SUN leaders marked another step in strengthening community ownership of development programmes by ensuring residents remained 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.

SHOFCO said its Urban Network has mobilised more than 3.5 million people across Kenya, including about 150,000 members in Mombasa County, to champion community-led development and advocate for improved public services.