In 2025, let us work to build resilience and empower communities

Fireworks is seen at KICC during the 2023 new year celebrations in Nairobi on January 1, 2023.[ FILE, Standard]

As we welcome the New Year 2025 and reflect on the opportunities and challenges that came with the past year, one thing stands out—resilience. A resilient people, community or country have a way of defining their common destiny. Their resilience leads to oneness, prosperity and equity that all together delivers long-term social and economic progress.

In the face of critical challenges such as poverty, hunger, disease and environmental threats associated with climate change, 2024 proved that Kenya’s communities have got the will and drive to triumph, and in the end contribute to the local economy. At the Shining Hope for Communities (Shofco), we are building community power through collective action which we believe will continue to uplift communities. We must collectively do more in 2025 to empower society, starting with disadvantaged youth and women.

It is impressive how our communities stepped up time and again, mobilizing through the Shofco Urban Network (SUN) and other organisations to face flooding, protests and the realities of gender-based violence. 

For the record, resilience that leads to positive change starts with dignity. A resilient community is one where its members have a voice and can advocate for their needs. One where households have the tools to face a changing climate. One where people have the hope and opportunities to shape their futures.

All of our work in 2025 focused on building resilience. SUN reached more than 5.1 million people in 2024 across 35 counties in Kenya. With their own elected community representatives, SUN members have the tools to advocate for their needs and partner with local, county, and national governments—empowering a generation of young Kenyans to design their own futures. 

When floods hit Kenya, we partnered with local community-based organisations to reach 100,000 people with aid packages and assist with relocation. These climate shocks are increasing in frequency and intensity and locally-led climate adaptation is key. Trees help flood prevention by slowing the flow of heavy rain from sky to ground, mitigating runoff and preventing erosion. Another group in Mathare has created rooftop gardens and set up rainwater collection systems to make sure they can manage during drought without having to pay for water. While local leaders may lack scientific expertise to forecast weather patterns, we are uniquely qualified to drive change; top-down approaches led by outside groups typically fail because many citizens do not trust outsiders. They are more expensive, and less sustainable long-term.

Local organizations can deliver programming that is 32 per cent more cost-efficient than international groups, based on savings from salaries and overhead costs. Trusted local leaders with cultural knowledge are best positioned to understand people’s needs and to involve community members at every turn.

Our 700 Community Health Promoters reached 452,000 people, empowering them to take control of their futures through family planning, malnutrition education, and disease outbreak prevention. Today, Shofco’s health clinics are seeing 60 per cent fewer teen pregnancies than last year, and a dramatic increase in women requesting family planning services. What was once taboo is becoming part of mainstream conversations.

Families and communities are healthier and safer after accessing clean, affordable water through Shofco’s kiosks, which saw over 40,000 daily visits this year. Our clean, affordable water has resulted in a 31 per cent decrease in diarrheal disease in children under five across Kibera—these young people have the hope and opportunity to grow up in a healthier world.

This year has taught me an important truth: Lasting change only happens when global best practices are paired with the trust, knowledge, and abilities within the community. I’m ready to share our learnings widely, building resilience far beyond what we ever dreamed possible, and creating better lives around the globe.

@KennedyOdede

Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season and a new year filled with hope and togetherness.

The writer is the founder and CEO of Shofco and a member of USAid Advisory Board. X @KennedyOdede