SHOFCO Urban Network

Within informal settlements, residents face challenges such as lack of access to essential services, economic instability, and limited opportunities to advocate for their rights. Social and economic marginalization, coupled with the absence of formal structures for civic engagement, often leaves communities vulnerable to disillusionment, instability, violence, and systemic neglect by local governments.

In 2015, the SHOFCO Urban Network (SUN) was formed from 50 people within a group in Kibera, so that individuals and households could affect tangible changes in their communities. By 2017, SUN had mobilized 5,000 people for a peace rally, and in 2022, it played a key role in facilitating Kenya’s most peaceful elections. Today, SUN grows organically, driven by local leaders who step up to adapt and lead the model in their own areas.

1. We empower community members to organize, advocate, and participate in decision-making processes.
2. We support peer-to-peer savings groups and local networks to improve economic and social resilience.
3. We organize large-scale community actions to address pressing social issues and improve living conditions.
4. We provide community members with access to essential services, including healthcare and skills and job readiness training.
5. We promote peace by bringing together community leaders to see their similarities rather than differences, organize peaceful protests during election periods, encourage support of democratic processes, and reduce tribal tensions by encouraging a sense of one Kenya.
6. We mobilize community networks and local partners during flooding events to facilitate rescue efforts and distribute essential aid.
7. We collaborate with community-based organizations and government authorities to shape policies and engage communities in climate advocacy.

Community Leadership Structure

SUN is organized through a networked group structure that includes elected representatives, at the ward and sub-county level; and an executive committee at the county level. This tiered structure enables smooth communication, dispute resolution, and effective project management across regions, while also supporting cross-community collaboration.

• Residents connect and elect leaders to represent their communities’ interest at every level
• Elections are held every three years
• Residents are elected to the following roles:
  • Chairperson & Deputy Chair
  • Secretary & Deputy Secretary
  • Women Representative
  • Youth Representative
  • Disability Representative
  • Minority Representative

SUN Staff Organization

SHOFCO is integrated with the SUN structure and supports community leaders at every level.

• SHOFCO coordinators provide logistical support to ensure SUN groups and meetings are appropriately resourced
• SUN groups are assigned facilitators who support their organizing efforts and document their concerns
• Facilitators also provide the following training programs:
  • Group leadership and dynamic training
  • Savings and loaning
  • Income generating activities
  • Social Services (e.g. SACCO)
  • Linkages

• Peaceful co-existence with a reduced incidence of violence in informal settlements
• Increased opportunities for all people in informal settlements to reach their full potential
• Increased and equitable political representation of people in informal settlements, alongside government accountability
• Government sees youth as active, meaningful participants in society
• Youth feel a sense of promise for their future, as well as increased economic growth and social change, and believe in their ability to enact change to address their community’s needs
• A self-sustaining community advocacy movement continues to expand its membership and amplify its collective voice

In collaboration with Gender and Inclusion, we are training gender champions and expanding community engagement across 15 counties in an aim to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and deter perpetrators.