Mathare 4b is one of the 13 villages along Mathare valley with 1949 household and approximate population of 7,796 residents according to the settlement profiling that was done by Muungano Wa Wanavijiji with support from Shack Dwellers International Kenya and Accountability and Responsiveness in Informal Settlement for Equity (ARISE), this settlement is characterized by irregular landscape, poor and slow infrastructural development, social and economic challenges. These challenges come as a result of poor governance, lack of proper planning.
The settlement profiling has brought in tremendous response from community members and stakeholders. This has been witnessed when community members and stakeholders attended the launch of the physical addressing system in Mathare 4B, according to Kelvin Moranya who is hospital ward environmental officer stated “i am a very happy to attend the launch of the physical addressing installation as it will provide us as the county government with up to date information about the Mathare 4b as it will help us in providing environmental solutions based on this data.”
Settlement profiling provided the community members with enough information when it comes to identifying community priority needs where the residents can start taking up responsibility of providing necessary solutions that need immediate interventions such as waste management and livelihood solutions among community members.
The settlement profiling in Mathare 4B has over time influenced the formation of Mathare River Adoption group which was a community based organization that was formed 2023 as a result of the settlement profiling engagements, the group has been steadfast providing environmental solutions. The group has managed to lobby for a waste holding point for Hospital with the close support from Muungano Wa Wanavijiji and County government of Nairobi, securing the holding point for the community is one of the biggest milestones as it has reduced aimless waste disposal from the community.
The Mathare River Adoption organization is currently carrying out waste management in Mathare 4b, they waste management starts at the household level where the group collect waste and record each and every household using the physical addressing system as this help them in monitoring the number of households that have submitted their waste and number of those that have not delivered their waste. The group not only carry waste collection but they as well sort waste they have collected at the in the community waste holding point in Kosovo, Mathare depot. The waste is then stored for a particular duration as the useful waste accumulates; they sell them to recycling companies due to the inability of having the recycling machine.
The approach on using the physical addressing system in managing waste has made the work of Mathare river adoption group easier as it is easy for them to track waste per household hence making household members more responsible when it comes to waste disposal hence reducing dumping of waste along the river. There is a need for more intervention on waste management across Mathare valley as this will help reduce outbreak of diseases.
The government should consider the implementation of the physical addressing in informal settlements across the country as this will improve the living standards of the marginalized communities. By using physical addressing systems to households, businesses and institutions such as churches, schools, hospitals among others will increase environmental conservation, service delivery, facilitate emergency response and enable residents to access essential amenities such as healthcare, ensuring there is equitable distribution of resources, education and clean water more efficiently.
In her interview, Nicera Wanjiru shares the impactful stories of two young residents from Kibera informal settlement, Vivian Vushele and Charles Gicura, as they reflect on how the Covid-19 pandemic has transformed their lives. Both faced significant challenges: Vivian experienced her parents' separation, while Charles had to pivot from a career in hospitality due to the industry's collapse. Their narratives highlight the emotional and economic upheaval that many young people endured during this unprecedented time.
In this piece, Jacob Omondi, Jackline Waithaka, and Jane Wairutu discuss the profound impact of COVID-19 on youth in informal settlements like Mathare, Nairobi. The pandemic has exacerbated job losses and financial instability, particularly affecting those in the informal economic sector, where many young people rely on daily earnings from their businesses.
In their blog, Jacob Omondi and Rogers Abala discuss the critical importance of safeguarding during data collection within informal settlements as part of the ARISE research work. Muungano Wa Wanavijiji prioritizes the protection of co-researchers and participants by providing thorough training on safeguarding practices, ensuring that co-researchers are prepared to respond to potential risks. Key principles include maintaining participant anonymity and confidentiality, as well as pausing data collection in cases of community conflict to prioritize safety.
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