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.