SHOFCO steps up its development programs in Homa Bay

Speaking on Thursday during Shofco Urban Network (SUN) county election at Raila Odinga Stadium, SHOFCO Founder and CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede said his organisation will do groundbreaking of one of its kind safe house in January 2025 in the county to address growing cases of gender-based violence. 

This follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the County Government of Homa Bay and SHOFCO.

“We signed an elaborate MoU with the county government in Mbita earlier this year and we’ve already started implementing the things we agreed to do. 

“For instance, construction of safe house is already underway. We’ve all the paper work ready and we are ready to do groundbreaking in January,” Dr. Odede said. 

The organisation has also sponsored 250 students to join Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the county. 

“We thank SHOFCO for sponsoring several students in this county to join technical institutions. We all know this is the path where most students have chosen. With technical skills, you can explore various career paths. 

“The diversity of career options available to those with technical expertise allows for greater job mobility and the ability to switch industries,” said Martin Opere, Homa Bay County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Education, Human Capital Development and Vocational Training. 

SHOFCO is investing heavily on the digging of water pans, scholarships, gender based violence response and prevention and youth and women empowerment programs. 

“Homa Bay is becoming vocal point of our programs in the Nyanza region. Just this week alone, I launched 16 water pans across three sub counties of this county.

“We are investing on water pans to address climate change effects such as flooding and provide water for irrigation agriculture,” Dr. Odede said. 

SHOFCO has constructed water pans with over 40, 000 cubic metres of water, enabling residents to enjoy the commodity both during rainy season and dry spell. 

“It is beyond just providing water for the residents, we are restoring dignity as far as their right to water is concerned. 

“Our people should not walk tens of kilometres in search of water when we can help them. I’m challenging both the county and national government to do what we have done, so that everyone can access water,” he stated. 

SHOFCO also runs its Sacco in the county and has allowed members to borrow money to start businesses, take their children to school among other economic activities. 

Shofco Sacco has also rolled out youth loan product that charges only six per cent per annum as opposed to 12 per cent that is charged by other Saccos. 

SUN elections are held every three years and those elected help in championing development programs in their communities by engaging the government and the private sector. 

“These leaders will help their communities by engaging those in authority at the county level, sub county level and ward level. 

“They are the real voice of the people because they are elected from the grassroots level upwards,” Dr. Odede said. 

The organisation’s work is grounded in a holistic approach to community development, addressing multiple dimensions of poverty and inequality to create lasting change. 

Its programs focus on education, healthcare, water and sanitation, economic empowerment, community mobilization, and youth development, with the overarching goal of improving the well-being and opportunities of residents living in urban slums and rural areas across Kenya.