Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) has launched the Kimbilio Rescue Centre in Kibarani, Kilifi County, marking a significant step in expanding survivor-centred services for victims of gender-based violence (GBV).
Established in partnership with the national government, the State Department for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action, and the County Government of Kilifi, the centre provides safe shelter, medical care, psychosocial support, legal referrals, and economic empowerment programmes to help survivors rebuild their lives.
The Kimbilio Rescue Centre has been designed as more than a temporary shelter. It forms part of SHOFCO’s integrated case management system, supporting survivors from the moment they seek help through recovery, protection, justice, and long-term reintegration.
The facility offers safe accommodation alongside essential services, including medical care through an on-site nursing unit, psychosocial support, legal referrals, and economic empowerment programmes that help survivors rebuild their independence.
By combining emergency protection with livelihood support, the Centre seeks to address both the immediate and long-term needs of survivors.
Addressing a National Challenge
The launch highlights the urgent need to strengthen Kenya’s GBV response infrastructure.
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), 34% of Kenyan women have experienced physical violence, while 13% have experienced sexual violence during their lifetime.
Despite the scale of the crisis, access to safe shelters remains limited. A national assessment of GBV protection centres found only 95 documented safe houses across just 18 of Kenya’s 47 counties, with many facilities facing funding shortages, staffing constraints, and operational challenges.
Kimbilio Rescue Centre aims to help bridge this gap by expanding access to quality survivor services in Kenya’s Coast region.
SHOFCO’s Growing Impact
SHOFCO says its own data reflects the growing demand for survivor support services.
In 2025, the organisation managed 26,749 GBV cases across its clinics, safe houses, and the SHOFCO Urban Network, underscoring both the prevalence of violence and the importance of community-based interventions.
As one of Kenya’s largest community-driven organisations, SHOFCO delivers integrated programmes spanning healthcare, education, economic empowerment, water and sanitation, and community advocacy, working closely with both public and private sector partners.
Multi-Sector Collaboration
The Kimbilio Rescue Centre was established through a partnership involving the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services, the State Department for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action, and the County Government of Kilifi.
The launch brought together senior government leaders and development partners, including:
- Anne Wang’ombe, Principal Secretary, State Department for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action
- Hon. Flora Mbetsa Chibule, Deputy Governor, Kilifi County
- Hon. Gertrude Mbeyu Mwanyanje, Kilifi County Woman Representative
Their participation underscored the importance of coordinated national and county efforts in strengthening protection services for survivors.
Growing Momentum for Safe Spaces
The launch of Kimbilio Rescue Centre follows other recent initiatives aimed at expanding survivor support across Kenya.
The Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC) recently visited the newly established Usawa Safe Space and Shelter, an initiative championed by Nairobi Woman Representative Hon. Esther M. Passaris alongside Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau.
The shelter represents another important investment in providing safety, dignity, and hope for survivors while strengthening referral pathways for protection and recovery.
Looking Ahead
Experts continue to emphasize that ending gender-based violence requires more than emergency interventions. Sustainable progress depends on stronger prevention efforts, survivor-centred justice systems, accessible healthcare, economic empowerment, and increased investment in safe spaces across all counties.
With the launch of the Kimbilio Rescue Centre, SHOFCO and its partners are demonstrating how collaboration between government and community organisations can help close critical protection gaps and provide survivors with the comprehensive support they need to heal, rebuild their lives, and pursue justice.
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