United Destiny Shapers (UDS), a community-based organization founded in 2017 in Nyalenda informal settlement in Kisumu County is transforming the lives of young women, youths and children through smart agribusiness interventions.
“We began with what many people wouldn’t touch—shared toilets and bathrooms. That’s how our journey began,” says Gladys Akinyi, UDS Team Lead. “But today, we are leading conversations on smart agriculture, environmental justice, and women’s empowerment. We are shaping destinies—literally.”
Over the years, UDS has evolved from a sanitation-centered group into a vibrant, grassroots engine for inclusive development. The organization now runs a wide range of community-based interventions—from poultry and horticulture farming, to managing a tree nursery, beautifying River Auji, and pioneering green innovation through biogas technology and solar-powered irrigation. Yet, at the core of every initiative lies one shared purpose: building safe, inclusive, and economically empowered communities—especially for women and children.
According to the World Bank, Kenya’s youth unemployment rate remains above 13%, with the informal sector absorbing the vast majority of young workers—often without stability or social protections. In informal settlements like Nyalenda, these economic pressures exacerbate social challenges, including gender-based violence (GBV), drug abuse, and youth involvement in crime.
Agribusiness as Empowerment
At the heart of UDS’s agribusiness model is a thriving 250-bird Kienyeji chicken farm, run mostly by young women. What might seem like a modest project has become a cornerstone of both livelihood generation and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention.
“From making our own feed, to selling eggs, meat, and even manure—we’re building full value chains that sustain families,” Gladys explains. “But more than that, this work is about dignity and security. When a woman contributes financially to her household, tensions reduce. Respect increases. It’s a proven GBV mitigation strategy.”
One youth member, Maxwel, now earns Ksh 30,000 monthly from agribusiness. “He’s our poster boy!” Gladys says proudly. “Proof that agribusiness isn’t just for old people in gumboots—it’s for sharp, smart youth too.”
Partnership for Impact
Thanks to SHOFCO’s support, in partnership with The Light Foundation and Mastercard Foundation, UDS has received intensive capacity building in gender action learning, financial reporting, monitoring & evaluation, and community governance.
SHOFCO’s CBO program provides capacity-building workshops in leadership, financial management, and grant writing—skills essential for long-term sustainability and impact. “These weren’t ordinary training,” says Gladys. “They were detailed and purpose-driven. Now we know how to track our impact, plan better, and advocate in spaces we previously couldn’t access.”
SHOFCO supports 180 CBOs across Kenya, investing in community groups as engines of localized change. By equipping grassroots leaders with tools, networks, and institutional support, SHOFCO is building a national movement where community organizations like United Destiny Shapers can drive real, scalable solutions from the ground up.
Building Resilience Through Women-Led Finance
Beyond farming, UDS strengthens economic resilience through 101 women-led table banking groups. These weekly groups pool resources, provide small loans, and create pathways into SHOFCO’s SACCO for affordable credit. Many women have since branched into fruit orchards, snack-making, and other micro-enterprises.
“This is where the magic happens,” Gladys says. “Women saving together, learning together, and building small businesses—it’s the backbone of our community’s economic resilience.”
Breaking Barriers
The path has not been without obstacles. Land ownership and cultural bias remain major hurdles. “Initially, women weren’t even allowed to attend our training,” Gladys remembers. “So we engaged fathers, brothers, and husbands—helping them see that women’s empowerment benefits the whole household. That’s how we began breaking cultural barriers.”
Looking Ahead
UDS dreams of solarizing all irrigation systems, expanding poultry and vegetable training, and entering value-addition and export markets. But the mission remains the same: to uplift women and youth, ensuring no child sleeps hungry and no woman lives in fear.
We dream of a Kisumu where every household runs a small poultry or horticulture business. Where women earn decent incomes, own land, and live free from violence. We want to show girls that they can lead—that they can be entrepreneurs, community leaders, and change agents.
The partnership between SHOFCO, The Light Foundation, The Mastercard Foundation, and UDS has turned a grassroots sanitation effort into a community-led movement for climate resilience, food security, and gender equity. Together, we are shaping destinies and rewriting cultural history.
Each year, we empower 140,000+ community members with Sustainable Livelihoods support
In 2024 alone, SHOFCO-supported CBOs, in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation, reached over 15,000 people with services ranging from maternal health to livelihoods, and more than 70% of trained partners have since secured additional funding independently. This model is transforming Kenya’s development landscape—by shifting power, amplifying community voices, and building a network of trusted, locally led institutions from the ground up.
