Heavy Rains

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Lee Ibrahim

In the past month or so there have been rains not only in Kibera but also Kenya at-large. The weather which has been described by many as a bad one has been going on for sometime and a lot has happened.

Focusing on Kibera a number of houses have been demolished due to the houses been poorly build. Many houses in Kibera are build with mud and iron sheets. When it rains heavily the houses which are mostly affected are those near the river or drainage streams.

 

The rains causes the business around to be closed early due to lack of customers and for fear the rains will not stop until the late hours of the night. These has really affected the people with businesses.

The rains has also exposed the dweller to electricity danger. This is caused by the wires which pass on the grounds been exposed or cut. This is dangerous as the wires became so exposed that they start smoking from the ground and can electrocute someone who steps on it. With the wires so exposed it affects the electricity passing in it and causes power failure. Many businesses such as Video shows, Kinyozis and Salons just to mention but a few around Kibera rely on electricity to keep them running are affected very much.

 

With the government having have put into place the drainage pipes in some parts of Kibera, they should be opened to pass water during these situations we have heavy rains. They can be of much help to the usual glowing water and help in reducing mud in some roads which became impassable during rainy seasons.

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A Training Workshop on How NGOs can better work with media

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Sande Wycliffe

 

“What is the one message you could let out to media about your organization? What will be worth talking about? “

After days of waiting, the eagerly awaited day, the 25th came and I being among the 15 people invited for the training assembled at the Fairview Hotel in Nairobi for the first day of the training. Filled with jubilation as well as expectation, we had ice breakers just to make sure that we were not thinking of how we were rained on the other day but set to share and learn from each other and more importantly from the facilitators. The decision to change our ways of operation lies in our hands and therefore it is important to know how we can cooperate with media to achieve huge strides in our endeavour to woe policy makers as well as citizens into formulating and implementing policies and consuming this content respectively.

During presentations from the facilitators; Mia foreman and Florence both from Population  it was evident that there really is a gap between journalist and organizations and this was attributed to the fact that most of the time, NGOs    pay little or no attention to journalists with whom they can spread the message of their work to a bigger population as Florence says “It is possible for us to continue writing about our opinions on what we work on and send them to editors and make sure that we are consistent in the writing to spread the word about our work” Develop a relationship with policy makers and from the workshop, it was made known to us that a better way to start especially if you want to get audience with members of parliament, you need to write up what you wish that be addressed then take them to this parliamentarians’ pigeon holes. Get contacts of important people and when you have new information in line with your work share with them, this enhances the ability of your organization to be depended upon when certain information is required.

The 2 day training was very beneficial for it not only provided a learning chance but also provided an opportunity to practice what we had learnt.

Some of the practical work we did was;        

  • Writing and presenting of a press release/getting the word out there (for map Kibera)
  • Addressing a news conference
  • A 60seconds sound bite (what massage do you want to pass out in 60s?)
  • How to effectively communicate within the organization and to media

“Try to designate one staff person to be responsible for media relations. That way the press will have a point-person within your organization that they can always turn to.” A massage from one of the handouts. Before we left for home, additional material to enable us be effective in communicating and getting every little detail of our work known by the community and the world at large with help of the media.

 

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A Unique Computer Training Programme

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Sande Wycliffe

Youth face a challenge of not being able to enrol for further studies after high school due to fees challenges. It’s for this reason, Kibera Community Youth Program (KCYP), a community based organization working to create youth empowerment programmes developed a computer training program that will address this challenge.

Having established the program in early 2009 to bridge the digital divide between the youth of Kibera and the rest of the world, KCYP entered into a partnership with NAIROBITS School of computer design, a college that offers sponsorship to needy members of the society. This partnership was important to KCYP because the college offers comprehensive trainings in web design, entrepreneurship and reproductive health and therefore students who enroll at KCYP for the training are assured of continuity in pursuing web design at Nairobits.

How is this computer training unique? I admit that within kibera, there are very many computer trainings going on but this one is different; it has 4 stages, Computer basic skills training offered at KCYP, Introduction to web design and Extensive training on web design offered at Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK) and finally life skills training and completing a 6months project work to reinforce design skills learnt in class.

Nairobits has developed a good relationship with different companies over the past 10years of its operation, this is important because when students graduate from Nairobits, they are absolved in these companies on internship basis after which they are employed. Many youths are now employed courtesy this program and Joseph Mbithi (in photo below) is one such example.

When asked about his experience having gone through the system, here is what he says. “I never new KCYP and Nairobits will help turn around my life in this manner. Even though I am not working in a company, I chose to come and give back to the community by being a trainer at KCYP. My greatest pleasure is to see the students proceed on with the training having passed through my hands. Out of the subsidised commitment fee of 1500/= each student pays, I get my monthly allowance and the rest of the money is used to buy stationary as well as for operations such as repairs.”

A total of 32 students enrolled for the program at KCYP in January 2012 and in my short interaction with some of them here is what they had to say;

Linet Moraa (above) “I joined because after the program was explained to me, I had a strong feeling that a promising future lay ahead of me. I am working hard so that I can go through all the 4 stages and use the skills I will have gained at my work place so that I get paid well and live a comfortable life far from what I am now.”

Musa Babu (Above)  “Being part of this family is a wonderful thing for I believe with the help of our trainer we are and will make a difference. This program is distinct from the others in Kibera for we are able to get mentored and internship placements at completion so we can put our skills to practise. I see myself becoming a web guru in future”

 

 Ami Lavander (above) “I commit myself wholly to this program for I have seen my fellow youths who have passed succeed. I am motivated everyday to learn new things that I know they will guarantee my future life. I always tell myself that success does not come from a University but from an individual, so am comfortable where I am because that is what I can afford to pay for and I know I will make the best out of it.”

I had to let them go for lessons but I could not leave without asking them about challenges they face. All of them were unanimous in their responses. The lack of enough space for their training leading to overcrowding in one room was a big problem until they had to be split so that 16students can be in the morning class and the other 16 in the evening class, lack of enough computers hence sharing in the ratio 1:3 was another major concern for them and their only hope is to get more computers so that they can maximise on their potential.

As I finish my writing lots of questions than answers linger in my mind; what is the government doing to support such grassroots initiatives? How can I be of help to them either directly or indirectly? Is there a place we can get refurbished computers for their use? If some of this questions can be answered then I believe this initiative will turn around the face of Kibera from the long ago known as a place of hooligans/violent youth to a place of responsible youth you are flexible and ready embrace the changing times.

This post was originally posted on http://urb.im/

 

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Embracing Reading at an Early Stage

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Sande Wycliffe
  • In Kibera and i perharps to a larger extend  the entire kenya, it’s believed that if you want to hide something from a Kenyan you can do that by hiding it in a book. But is this true? Does it mean that Kenyans do not read at all? Well the jury is out there.
  • Young ‘Kiberans’ are defying this statement by embracing a reading culture thanks to Children of Kibera www.childrenofkibera.org under the leadership of Kenneth Okoth for facilitating such an initiative.

 

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SHOE WEAR FOR LADIES IN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Ivy Winnie

When building your wardrobe, there are some items that one considers essentials and some luxuries. One establishes a wardrobe with shoes that would be suitable for the office, dines, weekends, parties and out of town. Victor is one of the best shoe sellers in Kibera who showed us different shoes that can be worn on different occasions.

The classic black pumps. This can be worn to the office, church, work and to any other occasion one can think of. The shoe should have a tow to three inch depending on one’s preference.

Flats. They are comfortable shoes and very versatile. They are of different colors and patterns. They can also be worn with jeans, Capri pants or any other wear.

Sandals. Flats or low heeled sandals are a must. One can choose flip-flop or any other type, and can pick bright colors , metallic, or African with beading or paints. If one spends a lot of time near water, then the best choice would be a rubber sandals.

Boots. They are good for the wet weather. One can choose a boot that is either black or brown, in leather or suede, which can be worn regularly with most colors. There are different colors like booties or ankle boots which are a great option. One can choose a pair of Traditional ankle boots that came up   just over the ankle. Heels can be flat, stacked or even depending on your taste.

Neutral low heel pumps. One cannot wear black with every color always. There is always a need for other neutral colors  like brown, taupe , or beige would do. However, one can choose navy if you have  clothing in those color schemes. It can be a low heeled shoe that is also a close toe. This shoes should be versatile enough to wear with trousers, slacks or even a dress.

Open toe dress heels. This is an open or peep-toe shoe that be a closed back pump or a sling back. The heel should be preferably three to four inches. This shoe is for dressing up either for going on a date, dinner, or even the company party. The open toe part of the shoe makes it sexy by the exposure or the toes.

Evening shoes. Every woman should have absolutely drop dead gorgeous evening shoes. One can choose a silver high-heel sandal, an elegant black evening shoes or a multitude of other styles. If one goes out to formal affairs often, don’t be afraid to spend a lot of money on an incredible shoe.

Trainers. If one is trying to keep in shape or physically fit, one must have a top quality trainer pair, in the same way, if one does a lot of running he\ she has to get a pair of trainers with plenty of cushioning and support.

Mules. Pick a leather or suede mules with two to three inch heel that can be worn from the office to a casual coffee date. These open black shoes come in variety of shapes and sizes.

Favorite shoes. This can be a trendy sandal a funky wedge pump or a wild pair of plat forms. It can be your favorite shoes for dressing up or your every shoes to wear on casual days.

When building your wardrobe, there are some items that one considers essentials and some luxuries. One establishes a wardrobe with shoes that would be suitable for the office, dines, weekends, parties and out of town. Victor is one of the best shoe sellers in Kibera who showed us different shoes that can be worn on different occasions.

The classic black pumps. This can be worn to the office, church, work and to any other occasion one can think of. The shoe should have a tow to three inch depending on one’s preference.

Flats. They are comfortable shoes and very versatile. They are of different colors and patterns. They can also be worn with jeans, Capri pants or any other wear.

Sandals. Flats or low heeled sandals are a must. One can choose flip-flop or any other type, and can pick bright colors , metallic, or African with beading or paints. If one spends a lot of time near water, then the best choice would be a rubber sandals.

Boots. They are good for the wet weather. One can choose a boot that is either black or brown, in leather or suede, which can be worn regularly with most colors. There are different colors like booties or ankle boots which are a great option. One can choose a pair of Traditional ankle boots that came up   just over the ankle. Heels can be flat, stacked or even depending on your taste.

Neutral low heel pumps. One cannot wear black with every color always. There is always a need for other neutral colors  like brown, taupe , or beige would do. However, one can choose navy if you have  clothing in those color schemes. It can be a low heeled shoe that is also a close toe. This shoes should be versatile enough to wear with trousers, slacks or even a dress.

Open toe dress heels. This is an open or peep-toe shoe that be a closed back pump or a sling back. The heel should be preferably three to four inches. This shoe is for dressing up either for going on a date, dinner, or even the company party. The open toe part of the shoe makes it sexy by the exposure or the toes.

Evening shoes. Every woman should have absolutely drop dead gorgeous evening shoes. One can choose a silver high-heel sandal, an elegant black evening shoes or a multitude of other styles. If one goes out to formal affairs often, don’t be afraid to spend a lot of money on an incredible shoe.

Trainers. If one is trying to keep in shape or physically fit, one must have a top quality trainer pair, in the same way, if one does a lot of running he\ she has to get a pair of trainers with plenty of cushioning and support.

Mules. Pick a leather or suede mules with two to three inch heel that can be worn from the office to a casual coffee date. These open black shoes come in variety of shapes and sizes.

Favorite shoes. This can be a trendy sandal a funky wedge pump or a wild pair of plat forms. It can be your favorite shoes for dressing up or your every shoes to wear on casual days.

 

 

 

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Lack water in Kibera

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Lee Ibrahim

 Recently almost a week now there have been lack of water in different parts of Kibera. The water situation has affected the likes of Mashimoni, Lindi and Laini Saba just to mention but a few villages in Kibera. People have to wake up as early as 4.00 am to queue in long queue inorder to get some water for the day. By early as 9.00 am you come around empty taps which had water on the normal ordinary day. The small taps in parts of Kambi Muru have also started to rust due to lack of water for sometime.

The situation now is that the ‘Early bird catches the worm’ for people who wake up late have to walk long-distances to get water for there usage for the day. Hawkers with wheel-barrows and carts are seen around transporting water to hotels and homes in which they charge double or triple compared tonormal price.

 

The reason for the water shortage is not fully identified with water seller claiming it is water recession around Kibera while others saying its the water dealers cutting water inorder to get paid first to restore the water or the recent drought around could have caused the water shortage.

 

All in all something has to be done because some people have stopped their businesses due to the scarcity and some have to leave for work late because of the long queues experinced around water tanks.

Around the west of Kibera in places like Gatwekera and Soweto west we have Non-Governmental organisations who have come up with water projects which has helped in suppling water to the residents around there. These are the places the water hawkers go to get water for hawking to specific destinations where we have water scarcity. In these places you will find water been sold at Ksh. 2.00 compared to their neighbours in Mashimoni or Lindi who sell water for Ksh.5.00 per jerican.

 

The government has played a part in water supply around but the residents feel that they deserve more compared to the our places in the Nairobi county. The water projects in the West of Kibera should be introduced to the other side of the surbarb inorder to conqure and do away with these water problems.

 

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PLIGHT OF THE NAIROBI DAM

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Lee Ibrahim

I vividly remember just like it was yesterday when we use to go to the Nairobi Dam when we were young. We sometimes would wake up very early in the morning and meet with friends as we had planned the previous day. We would meet at a play ground near one of my friends house after breakfast and set off towards our destination.

 
After spending most of our time playing football, marbles and other ordinary games, we felt that we needed something different and this is what motivated us to go all the way to the east of Kibera. There was a lot going on there as people usually came in numbers. It was like a market place. Women who lived near would come with basins full of clothes and make use of the water which by then was clean and clear like crystal by washing their clothes and spread them to dry which took less than 30 minutes. On the other side of the river you could not fail to spot children swimming and others fishing from the clean water. This is one place which had different types of fish from Dagga, mudfish, catfish etc. It was a place of its kind in the heart of Nairobi.

Those days the Nairobi Dam was more than an attraction site. Unfortunately, heavy pollution emanating from the high-density population of the Kibera has stimulated growth of invasive plant species, especially Water Hyacinth which have infested the water body since and have curtailed recreational activities. Invasive aquatic weeds and solid waste dumping have completely altered the aquatic ecology and flow regimes of associated rivers.

 

Lack of proper waste management, solid waste and industrial waste is another problem. All the sewage contamination from the 13 villages of Kibera directed their waste into the Nairobi dam. This and other pollutants have rendered the water in the river system and the dam totally unusable and hazarous to human health.


The government had taken measures to restore the Nairobi dam an initiative brought into act by the now Prime Minister and Mp of Langata Hon. Raila odinga. But this is not meaniful as disposal of waste material from Kibera was not stopped. The aquatic weed and Hyacinth covering the Nairobi dam has brought in a new expansive land for planting of Sukuma wiki, arrow roots, tomatoes and bananas. The residents living near there have taken advantage of the then Nairobi Dam to put food in their stomachs.

 

Which to me sounds like a good idea.
Most plans to restore the dam have ended in futility. An example is the The Nairobi Dam Initiative in 2004 launched by the then Vice President of Kenya Hon. Moody Awori and sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Farmers who have planted on the dam most of the time hinder its restoration fearing they will loss their produce which they claim its their source of living.

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FORCEFUL ACTS BY THE POLICE

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Fred

 

Police have been linked to several cases of extrajudicial killings, torture and forceful disappearances as perpetrated by them. However this might be a gone story, following the establishment of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa).

 Ipoa is set to upgrade the police operations and handling of complaints by the public against the law enforcers.

Over a long period of past time, police  officers have been  linked to the murder of innocent individuals and torture incidents, these cases have been let off the hook due to lack of clear laid down rules and unclear complaints mechanism by the aggrieved parties to facilitate evidence for  prosecution.

 The authority will help the police service and the public to effectively address the many complaints regarding police conduct, thereby producing the best police organisation Kenyans have always aspired. The public, through this legislation, they will have an opportunity to seek compensation where they have been wronged.

Recently, an 8 year old boy has been a victim of police harassment in Kibera. The boy, whose parents are suspected to be local brew producers, was beaten and handcuffed by the police, who demanded to know where his mother was. The boy was detained for a couple of hours without any prove, which is totally against the childrens’ right. The mother however denied being in brew business.

Past encounter.

There must be a strong mechanism for holding the police accountable as a way of ensuring, come next election, there won’t be a repeat as of the previous post election violence, besides it should be free, fair and peaceful .This is according to Waki Commission, Philip Alston (the UN Rapporteur General on extrajudicial executions) and the Ransley Taskforce

Initially, the public did not have an avenue to channel their complaints against the police force. But that is now possible following the ascending to the Ipoa Act by the President. People only used to forward their grievances against members of the police service at different police headquarters but the process of getting justice was purely frustrating as it was very slow some delaying tactics revolved around the cases,furthermore  it was not transparent.

If one feels offended by the police action or conduct, they can now report the matter to the Ipoa. The authority would come up with their findings and what they recommend. The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) would then deal with the disciplinary cases, besides; Ipoa will have their offices in the 47 counties where people will report their cases.

With this law in place, it will enable the police also deal with the errant officers within the unit, in transparent and satisfactory manner, leading to increased public confidence and trust in the service and for the public.

The function of the authority is to investigate complaints related to disciplinary or criminal offenses committed by any member of the police service, receive and investigate policing operations affecting public, besides there will be monitoring, review and audit investigation and action taken by the internal affairs unit in response to public community’s complaints.

Once Ipoa is established, it will facilitate the investigations and give direction in complaints raised by affected individuals

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FOLLOW UP ON DEMOLITION OF HOUSES IN SOWETO EAST, KIBERA.

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Ivy Winnie

After the last incident of houses being demolished in Soweto East in Kibera, that was in 12th January 2012. The voice of kibera made a follow up after two days that was on 14th January  to know the steps taken with those who were the victims managed to start on in life.

Today,  several people who had nowhere to go still live in this open filed where their houses were demolished for slum upgrading . With the harsh living condition in this open filed they now call their home, we met a widow,  Alise Anindo who lived with her two grandchildren who were left orphaned by their parents. The incident happened after she has taken her grandchildren to a near by day care and left for work as usual. She saved nothing and does not know how to move in in life. She asks the Government to at least help them with means of going back home(up country).

We talked to several people to gather more information on how they feel. Partrick Wasia, a landlord,  was given an ID for moving to decanting site. He said they are going to continue with the appeal in court on the demolition of the houses that is on 17th january2012. He said that the Government started with Soweto East Zone A after which they shall move to Zone B ,C and D.

Jackline Jalenga who was also one of the people whose houses were demolished moved to a nearby church with some residents who were in the same situation. They moved to Maximum Miracle Center where only their children were aloud to sleep in and they being parents, sleeping in the cold outside as they await their properties .

A landlord known as Bokello, was one of the people who moved to the decanting site but being the landlord in the area where houses were brought down, him being a landlord , he now have to sleep in the cold in the open filled to await his properties.He as he hard of the Soweto Forum says that Slum upgrading was a good idea but the Government was too fast for a common Mwanainchi and the time which was given was not enough for them . He says the Government should try to intervene and look of a way out to help Kenyans.

As we walked down the place , we observed that the site was already fenced . Does the property that was not removed that is still inside now belong to those in charge of the slam upgrading?

With the tension going on , we were more interested to know more on the map on the areas that are yet to be demolished. This made us to go to the nearest chief’s camp for more details. We met a person whose identity withheld sowed us the map. He says that the demolition of houses is yet to continue with Zone B , C and D according to  how it was planed.

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RESIDENTS FROM SOWETO EAST MOVED TO DECANTING SITE.

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Ivy Winnie

Relocation of people from Soweto east was much of excitement as people were being moved from Soweto east to decanting site.Most of people saw it as a stepping stone from a lower life to a much advance level of life.

This being a three bed roomed house, a kitchen ,a toilet and a bathroom or rather a self contained house with a good living  environment.The challenge is that some people from the slum could not corp  up with the cost of the living standard  of the new environment.

Simon,who was one of the people that were relocated says that;To him being  moved from  soweto east where he pays 20 shillings to work he now pays more than that.He says life has been expensive from clothing, to food, and to other things like paying for the bills ie; electricity,water and rent. He also says that people would think that they have come to a better place but they also have their problems like since they moved there,they have not been having electricity for 7months.

With some people very excited with moving from soweto to decanting site,Magdaline was very happy as she says that the houses have water  and now she can wash her cloths and clean the house unlike  Soweto East where she had to walk a distance to fetch water that she could use for household purposes .She says some of her neighbours refused to move because the houses were  very expensive for them but some who wanted to move did not have the opportunity to .Despite all, she says that the living standard is quite expensive compared to Soweto East where she used to pay for 3 houses each at Ksh.  700 including electricity,  she now pays 3000 shillings for the 3 bed roomed house.

I also met Policup Ouko,who was also one of the residents who came to decanting site from  Soweto East. He says he has seen a big  change from bad to good and life is not the same again, He continued to say that they now have security and there has been an improvement despite the high living standard . He says that in Soweto East  he used to pay a rent of 1200 and pays 300 shillings for electricity that is a total of 1500 shillings.

The major disadvantage that they had was that, they had to remove their children from school, since it  was October and so their children had to stay out of school until January in order for them to join the new schools that are near by the houses they had moved to.

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