At SDI Kenya, we believe that the voices of those closest to the challenges of urban slum living are essential to shaping inclusive cities. This blog serves as a platform where staff, community members, and partners collaborate to share diverse perspectives — covering pressing issues, showcasing transformative initiatives, and highlighting innovative research that drives our mission.
From grassroots-led solutions to climate resilience to the power of data in advocacy, our posts reflect the lived experiences, expertise, and collective efforts shaping a brighter future for Kenya’s urban communities. Dive in to explore the stories that inspire action and amplify the voices of change-makers on the ground.
Today, despite obstacles, Kibera is a hub of resilience and creativity, with communities—particularly the youth—actively working to address issues like housing, climate change, and social inequality through initiatives like artivism.
Biupe Innovators is a group located in the heart of Mukuru, one of the biggest informal settlements in Africa.
In this blog, Kamila Gojobe examines the critical struggle for access to clean water in informal settlements, highlighting the profound challenges faced by residents amidst climate change and prolonged drought conditions in Kenya. Despite these hardships, the post notes positive developments, such as emerging partnerships and community initiatives aimed at addressing the water crisis.
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.
In their exploration of community-led monitoring and evaluation, Michelle Koyaro, Milka Kori, Rogers Otieno, and Elvira Songoro discuss how Muungano Wa Wanavijiji applied the Ripple Effect Mapping tool to assess their work within the ARISE initiative. They highlight the limitations of traditional monitoring frameworks, which often struggle to aggregate results and accurately reflect the impacts of programs on participants. By embracing community-based participatory research, Muungano Wa Wanavijiji effectively captures program impacts while aligning their evaluation processes with donor objectives and organizational strategies.
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 her blog, Nicera Wanjiru highlights a successful knowledge exchange between ARISE colleagues from Kenya and Sierra Leone, focusing on community empowerment to tackle health-related injustices in low-income areas. Participants shared various strategies, including physical addressing systems, savings culture, and the ripple effect of community mapping. Abu Matthew Sesay, a federation member from Sierra Leone, emphasized the commitment to applying the insights gained from the exchange, stating, “The knowledge... is not going to gather dust... We are going to make good use of this knowledge.”
In his blog post, Jacob Omondi examines the factors contributing to youth-related crime and violence in Mathare Valley, an informal settlement in Nairobi. He highlights that the lack of meaningful engagement opportunities for young people, particularly in Kiamutisya village, leads to higher crime rates. Omondi also explores potential solutions to help youth find productive avenues for earning a living and steering clear of criminal activities.
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 a significant development for Nairobi's Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), the Nairobi City County Community Health Services Act was passed in June 2021, entitling CHVs to a monthly stipend of KSh 3,000 (approximately $30 USD) along with a KSh 500 ($5 USD) contribution to the National Health Insurance Fund. This payment, contingent on achieving an 80% performance target through a checklist of ten indicators, marks a vital step towards recognizing and supporting the essential work of CHVs in the community.
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