
Shining Hope for
Communities (SHOFCO) Founder and CEO Kennedy Odede on Wednesday began his unity
bid that brings together a council of elders across Kenya.
“When elders come
together, peace is guaranteed. My dream is to unite all the elders from 43
tribes spread across Kenya.
“If these elders
come together, there will be no ethnic conflicts during elections. Our elders
are custodians of peace in our communities, and we must bring them together,
regardless of their tribe,” Dr. Odede said.
The SHOFCO founder
said tribalism is a big challenge in Kenya and has slowed development and
encouraged corruption because people do not share opportunities due to ethnic
differences.
“We have always been
one as Africans. Colonisers divided us, but it is now time to retrace our
routes and culture as Africans.
“We are one people.
Our tribes must not divide us. We should take pride of our cultures and
traditions and build one Kenya, free of ethnic conflicts,” he stated.
Odede said he is
happy to see elders from different communities coming together and sharing
ideas on how to take Kenya forward.
“My heart is
fulfilled when I see something like this happening. I am not a politician. My
dream is to see one united Kenya.
“Already, I have
engaged elders from Mount Kenya, the lakeside region and coastal region, and
I’m now on a mission to unite them,” he said.
The SHOFCO boss said
he works with the elders across 35 counties where his organisation has rolled
out development programs.
“The elders know the
needs of the community, and they are the best people to guide us on what to do
because they have lived experience,” Odede said.
He also warned the elders not to be misused by politicians for political gains.
“You must be careful
with politicians. Don’t sell your soul for small personal gains. As elders,
you must be at the forefront to ensure that politicians keep their promises.
You must make them accountable,” he stated.
On their part, the
elders lauded Odede for bringing them together saying it has never been done
before.
“As elders, we have
always been used by politicians without any gain. We have now met the right
person (Odede) whose interest is to help the community without expecting
anything in return.
“What Dr. Odede has
done is very unique and we commend him for that. We thank God for connecting us
to him because he is a man who is ready to help the community, unlike our
politicians who have used us since the 1960s,” Kaya Elders Chairman Mwalimu Mwinyi
said.
During the two days,
the elders toured SHOFCO projects across different sites in Nairobi that
include water distribution, education, gender services, and clinics.
“We have seen good
schools and health clinics here in Nairobi. We are requesting Odede to bring the same services to us in the
coastal region.
“We want to compete in
terms of life-changing services and not by fighting each other,” Mwinyi added.
The elders vowed to
protect Odede and warned those who may want to distract his development agenda to
keep off.
“We have never seen a leader like him. He has brought development to our communities without asking us for votes. This is the leader we want. We will protect him and work together to the end,” Mwalimu Mwinyi said.
Nyeri County Kiama Kia
Ma Chairman Patron Njaramba Wanjii said that what SHOFCO has done for the community
has uplifted the lives of many people, especially children from vulnerable
communities who can now access free and quality education.
“The greatest gift
we can give to our children is education. It is the key to lifting up not only
the individual but the entire community, unlocking doors to opportunities that
benefit all.
“This is what SHOFCO
is doing in Nairobi. We are also glad that it is sponsoring many students
across Kenya who are studying in high schools and Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (TVET) institutions,” Njaramba said.
Njaramba said Dr.
Odede has been working behind the scenes, and his work speaks for itself.
“Dr. Odede is a true
leader. He does not show off, but his work can be seen. Soon, Kenya will know
who is because we must let the world know the good work he is doing at the
grassroots level,” Njaramba stated.
Odede has received
international recognition for his community services that touch over five
million Kenyans annually.
The SHOFCO boss has also received both local and international awards, including TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024, the 2023 TIME100 Impact Award Africa, Schwab Social Innovator of the Year 2022, and the East Africa Philanthropy Jury Award, among others.