Nakuru — Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF), formerly known as Kenya Women Trust Fund (KWFT), has announced plans to expand its women empowerment programs across East Africa and the wider continent as it seeks to deepen its impact on the lives of women and girls.
Speaking during a thanksgiving ceremony held at the Jennifer Riria Hub in Nakuru, the foundation's Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Riria said the organisation had transformed the lives of more than three million women across all 47 counties in Kenya and supported thousands of girls since its establishment.
Dr. Riria said the pan-African philanthropic institution now intends to extend its experience and services to more countries through programs focusing on women leadership, political inclusion, peace and security, girl empowerment and financial inclusion.
She emphasized that financial inclusion remains central to empowering women, noting that access to economic opportunities often opens doors to leadership, decision-making and social advancement.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
"The future of ENAF is huge and God is in it. This organisation is known for financial inclusion and the team will move with all the programs to other countries and explain ENAF's mandate and objectives," she said.
Dr. Riria also highlighted the transformation of the organisation from a microfinance initiative into a self-sustaining continental foundation.
She described the Jennifer Riria Hub as a symbol of women's economic empowerment and institutional independence, saying the commercial development in Nakuru reflects the resilience and strength of African women.
"We are at Jennifer Riria Hub, a landmark commercial development in Nakuru designed to mirror the strength of the African woman. It is also an indicator of financial independence and a bold model for Non-Governmental Organisation sustainability," she said.
She challenged non-governmental organisations to reduce dependence on donor funding and embrace sustainable investment models, including commercial real estate, to secure long-term financial stability.
On the rising cases of femicide in Kenya, Dr. Riria termed the situation a national crisis that requires urgent intervention.
"If the country is losing a girl or a woman every day through murders committed by spouses, family members or criminals, then this is proof of a deep-seated problem," she said.
She urged women experiencing abuse to seek help, report cases to authorities and leave unsafe relationships before violence escalates.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
At the same time, she called on the government to fast-track the implementation of recommendations made by the Presidential Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide chaired by Nancy Baraza.
