Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) secured 18 convictions in defilement cases in Nairobi in the first three months of 2026, even as the organisation handled more than 3,000 gender-based violence cases in the same period.  

However, the organisation says the progress is overshadowed by the scale of the crisis, having handled 3,000 GBV cases in the same period, with 534 of them being sexual offences. 

Some 210 cases are pending in court for the period between January 2026 to end of March 2026. 

Caroline Adhiambo, a mother from Kibera, credits the organisation for helping her seek justice for her 14-year-old daughter, Sheril (not her real name), who was defiled and became pregnant.

“I didn’t know where to start. I had no money and no knowledge of the legal process. SHOFCO came in and stood with us. They took my daughter to the hospital, and covered the legal costs. Without them, the case would have gone nowhere,” she said.

Sheril’s case was handled from start to finish by SHOFCO Gender Champion Roseline Amondi, who ensured consistent follow-up with both the police and the courts.

The 21-year-old perpetrator was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

“This case was painful, but it also showed what is possible when survivors are supported properly. We walked with Sheril and her mother every step of the way, from reporting the case to attending court sessions,” Amondi said.

According to Irene Oiro, SHOFCO’s Nairobi Region Gender Lead, the organisation’s integrated model has been key to handling the high caseload.

“In the first quarter alone, we managed 3,000 sexual offence cases across Nairobi’s informal settlements. Each case is handled from rescue and medical attention to legal follow-up. Our teams work closely with families and authorities to ensure survivors are protected and cases are not abandoned,” Oiro said.

She added that the 210 cases currently pending in Kibera and Milimani law courts reflect systemic delays that continue to challenge justice delivery.

“These delays can discourage survivors and families, which is why we remain actively engaged throughout the legal process,” she said.

Government officials say partnerships with organisations like SHOFCO have strengthened their ability to respond to GBV cases more effectively.

Kiptoo Lagat, Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Kamukunji Police Station, acknowledged the role SHOFCO has played in improving case management and survivor care.

“Our collaboration with SHOFCO has been very helpful. They support us with resources and also ensure that survivors receive the care they need. At our gender office, they have provided essential items such as computers, mattresses, blankets, and printers, which have improved our working conditions and the comfort of survivors,” Lagat said.

He added that the organisation’s involvement helps build trust between the community and law enforcement.

“People are more willing to report cases when they know there is support beyond the police station,” he said.

Sheila Chebet, Kamukunji Gender Officer, said her office works closely with SHOFCO to monitor GBV cases and ensure they progress through the justice system.

“We follow up on cases together to ensure they are not dropped or delayed unnecessarily. SHOFCO’s presence in the community makes it easier to identify cases early and support survivors throughout the process,” Chebet said.

The figures, released in a quarterly report, highlight both momentum in prosecutions and the persistent prevalence of sexual violence against minors.

“We are doing so much, but we aren’t tired enough yet. We must push more. I need our community to stand up and do even better,” SHOFCO founder and CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede said.

Odede attributed the convictions to strengthened community reporting systems and closer collaboration with law enforcement and the judiciary.

He noted that SHOFCO has intensified grassroots awareness campaigns, encouraging families to report abuse and seek help without fear of stigma.

For Sheril, however, the impact of the abuse extends far beyond the courtroom.

“I was supposed to join Grade 10 this year, but everything changed. I had to stop school because of the pregnancy. It has been very hard to accept what happened and to think about my future. I will go back to school once I give birth,” the 15-year-old said.