Empower and Serve (Empserve), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people and underserved communities through digital skills and sustainable development, has launched the country’s first Eco-Village and Social Innovation Hub in Kajiado County.
This project, aims to address the region’s unique challenges by fostering sustainable practices and community-driven solutions.
Kajiado County, known for its harsh climate and limited access to essential resources, has struggled with issues that have hindered development and diminished the quality of life for its residents.
However, the resilience of the local community is driving change.
“The conditions here are tough, but the people are resilient,” said Mrs. Priscilla Nanguria, Executive Director of HELGA, a partner organization. “This project is a testament to the strength and determination of the Kajiado community, and it represents a significant step toward sustainable development in the region.”
Empserve has been actively working in Kajiado County for the past six years, focusing on equipping the youth with the skills necessary to overcome these pressing challenges.
One of their notable initiatives has been a program that trained over 60 young women, rescued from the harmful practice of female genital mutilation, in entrepreneurship and digital skills.
The upcoming Eco-Village and Social Innovation Hub is the latest extension of Empserve’s commitment to the community.
The Eco-Village will serve as a model of environmental conservation and sustainable living, incorporating renewable energy solutions, advanced water conservation techniques, and sustainable agricultural methods.
“To harness the potential and capabilities of the communities, we have mainly focused on skills enhancement, enterprise development, and linking the beneficiaries to local and global opportunities while at the same time tapping into the power of communities to develop and build their solutions,” says Martin Irungu, the Executive Director of Empserve.
The Eco-Village will serve as a beacon of environmental conservation and sustainable living practices.
It will incorporate renewable energy solutions, advanced water conservation techniques, and sustainable agricultural methods all designed to create a replicable model for eco-friendly living.
The Social Innovation Hub will offer critical resources, including education, healthcare, and entrepreneurial training.
By fostering social innovation, the hub aims to enhance 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.
“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 the success of the Eco-Village and Social Innovation Hub depends on the active involvement and ownership of the local community.
To ensure the project meets the needs and aspirations of Kajiado County’s residents, Empserve has engaged with the community throughout the planning and implementation process.
Empserve is calling on individuals, organizations, and government institutions to support this transformative initiative.
The organization envisions a sustainable future for Kajiado County and hopes the Eco-Village and Social Innovation Hub model can be replicated across Kenya and other African countries.
