United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Michael Langley on Tuesday, November 26 visited Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) headquarters in Kibera.
According to the US Embassy in Nairobi, General Langley visited the slum-based organization to see how grassroots organizations are empowering Kenyans.
“Strong security begins with strong communities. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Gen. Michael Langely visited Shining Hope for Communities today (Tuesday) to see first-hand how grassroots organizations are empowering Kenyans,” the US Embassy posted on Twitter.
On his part, SHOFCO Founder and CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede said General Langley’s visit underscored the importance of partnerships that prioritize community-led solutions for peace and security.
“Global peace begins with secure and empowered grassroots communities. Strengthening local security is not just essential—it’s the foundation for sustainable, global stability.
“We at SHOFCO were honored to host Gen. Michael Langley, U.S. Marine Corps, and Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) at our Kibera office.
“His visit underscored the importance of partnerships that prioritize community-led solutions for peace and security. Together, we are working to build a safer, more peaceful world from the ground up,” Dr. Odede said.
The visit to SHOFCO came a day after the AFRICOM commander held talks with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi.
During the meeting, President Ruto said Kenya and the United States have an excellent peace and security partnership in the Eastern Africa region that has been for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
“These close ties have paid dividends in the fight against terrorism and other trans-national crimes in the region,” President Ruto said.
SHOFCO is currently operating in 40 counties in Kenya, impacting over four million lives, and in 2018 became the youngest-ever organization to receive the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the world’s largest humanitarian prize awarded to non–profits that have made extraordinary contributions to alleviate human suffering.
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.
In 2022, SHOFCO’S community-driven change became a model for global NGOs following a case study conducted by Bridgespan Group which had a close-up look at on-the-ground approaches that make the Kenyan organisation tick.
SHOFCO stood out among the other NGOs around the world with Bridgespan concluding that their model of community-driven change has achieved impact that lasts because the community feels a sense of ownership.
