To date, the world is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, climate change, rising prices, and international tensions. These challenges are causing significant global climate security concerns, exacerbating existing issues such as food insecurity. According to the latest report by the National Drought Management Authority in Kenya, approximately 4.4 million people in the arid and semi-arid lands are facing severe food insecurity due to drought. While this is a nationwide issue, those living in informal settlements are among the most affected. Mukuru informal settlement in Nairobi is no exception.
Living hand-to-mouth makes it difficult for informal settlement residents to afford basic needs, but remarkable and innovative climate action groups within these communities are taking crucial steps to address food insecurity. Viwandani Comprehensive Community Organization (VICCO) and Ghetto Shiners in Mukuru Viwandani are among the 66 groups in Nairobi that received support through the Voices for Just Climate Action program (VCA) facilitated by Muungano wa Wanavijiji.
The support aimed to boost locally led climate action groups and scale up innovative climate actions in urban marginalised communities in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Nakuru Counties. The financial grant helped these groups expand their locally led climate activities, particularly in the realm of urban farming. In Viwandani slums, the financial support enabled two community-based organisations to scale up their innovative climate actions, addressing food insecurity within their communities. VICCO, one of these organisations, actively engages in a range of activities such as urban farming, providing safe homes for teenagers, and facilitating mentorship sessions for children and teenagers
VICCO's urban farming program serves at least 10 households each week by providing fresh vegetables. The group's leader, Shakur Njeru, emphasises that with the current economic situation in Kenya, it's essential for everyone to create their own kitchen gardens to sustain themselves. Njeru notes that the young generation is the hope for the future, and encourages them to start planting trees and grow their food at a young age.
VICCO Group Members Gathering Fresh Vegetables from their Thriving Urban Farm
Photo Credit: KYCTV
Ghetto Shiners group started with garbage collection but later ventured into urban farming and poultry keeping. They are currently mentoring other groups,in organising their group structure and providing opportunities to do garbage collection within their villages. Their main activities are urban farming and poultry farming, which aid to alleviate food insecurity in the community.
Mike Mulameza, the leader of Ghetto Shiners, notes that many people in informal settlements cannot afford basic needs, and their food production from their urban farming is not enough to serve all the households. Despite ghetto shinners selling vegetables at a cheaper price, the demand still outweighs supply. The group wishes that more groups could engage in urban farming to support each other and improve livelihood in theinformal settlements.
Both VICCO and Ghetto Shiners are mentoring other groups, community members, and school children through the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) education system. Their main goal is to "Leave No One Behind" in all informal settlements in Nairobi. The groups are open to networking with other organisations within the settlement to support each other in alleviating food insecurity in informal settlements.
To address the challenge of food insecurity, it is important for governments, civil society organisations, and communities to work together to ensure that no one is left behind. This requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of food insecurity, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. In addition ,it will involve investing in sustainable agriculture and supporting small-scale farmers.
Through collaboration of all stakeholders, we can ensure that everyone has access to nutritious and affordable food, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location.
The challenges facing the world are diverse .Regardless, climate action youth groups in Mukuru Viwandani slum are taking action to address food insecurity. Moreover, they are leading the way by engaging in urban farming and poultry keeping, mentorship , and supporting the community through various activities. Their efforts provide hope for a better future, one in which no one is left behind.
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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