Empower and Serve (Empserve), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth and underserved communities through digital skills and sustainable development, has announced the launch of Kenya’s first Eco-Village and Social Innovation Hub in Kajiado County. This landmark project aims to tackle the region’s challenges by promoting sustainable practices and community-driven solutions.
Located in the heart of southern Kenya, Kajiado County is a region that faces significant hurdles due to its harsh climate and limited access to essential resources. The area has long struggled with water scarcity, food insecurity, and economic instability, which have hindered development and affected the quality of life for its residents.
“The conditions here are tough, but the people are resilient,” said Mrs. Priscilla Nanguria, Executive Director of HELGA, a partner organization in the project. “This initiative is a testament to the strength and determination of the Kajiado community and marks a significant step toward sustainable development in the region.”
Empserve has spent the past six years working tirelessly to equip Kajiado’s youth with the skills needed to overcome these challenges. Among their many initiatives, they have trained over 60 young women, rescued from the harmful practice of female genital mutilation, in entrepreneurship and digital skills. The new Eco-Village and Social Innovation Hub is the latest extension of Empserve’s commitment to empowering the community.
“To harness the potential of the communities, we have focused on skills enhancement, enterprise development, and linking beneficiaries to local and global opportunities while tapping into the power of communities to build their solutions,” said Martin Irungu, Executive Director of Empserve.
The Eco-Village will serve as a model for environmental conservation and sustainable living, incorporating renewable energy solutions, advanced water conservation techniques, and sustainable agricultural methods. This project is designed to be a replicable model for eco-friendly living.
Within the Eco-Village, the Social Innovation Hub will provide essential resources, including education, healthcare, and entrepreneurial training. By fostering social innovation, the hub aims to improve the quality of life for Kajiado County residents, particularly women who face significant barriers to employment and education due to prevailing cultural norms.
“We’re hopeful that through this project, we can learn new skills and improve our community,” said Lucy Ene Lesisa, a local community leader. “This will be a place where we can come together to find solutions to our challenges.”
The Eco-Village will also focus on generating economic opportunities through sustainable tourism, eco-friendly businesses, and skill development programs, designed to stimulate local economic growth and provide residents with sustainable sources of income.
“Empserve emphasizes the critical importance of community involvement in every phase of this project. We are putting the community at the center of every phase,” said Samwel Lasiti, the project advisor at Empserve. He added that the success of the Eco-Village and Social Innovation Hub depends on the active involvement and ownership of the local community.
Empserve has engaged with the community throughout the planning and implementation process to ensure the project meets the needs and aspirations of Kajiado County’s residents. This collaborative approach has been key to the project’s design and will be instrumental in its success.
Empserve invites individuals, organizations, and government institutions to support this transformative project. By working together, they believe Kajiado County will have a sustainable future, and the model for eco-friendly living and social innovation can be replicated across Kenya and other African countries.