Mixed reaction as Kibera slum gets much-needed facelift

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru (Third left) when he visited the Kibera slum upgrade project site in Makina. [PHOTO BY NANJINIA WAMUSW/STANDARD]

Nairobi, Kenya: Residents of Kibera have lauded the ongoing slum upgrade project being undertaken by the National Youth Service (NYS), saying it is already changing the face of the area.

The project, launched by Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru a month ago, involves the construction of toilets, bathrooms, drainage systems, cleaning and collection of garbage and sewer lines in areas of Laini Saba, Kambi Muru, Katwekera, Makina and Mashimoni.

A walk through the slum shows youths busy with construction work, with a number of projects almost complete.  Most resident are upbeat that they will live in a clean environment, since the project targets to construct 180 new toilets.

But what residents appreciate most is the fact that it has provided employment opportunities for them. They say the engagement of 1,700 local youths and various women groups from the slum has brought down crime rate, especially mugging, which was a daily occurrence.

James Owiti believes crime was largely perpetrated by idle youths. Mr Owiti who works in a hotel in Westlands says he has been mugged several times.

"I leave for work at 5am. There are times l got mugged two or three times a week, losing money and property," recalls Mr Owiti, a resident of Makina.

Since the works started, he says he's yet to be robbed despite leaving early and returning late at night.

COMMUNITY CO-EXISTENCE

Moses Chimoi, one of the labourers in the project says he is better off financially. Before the project, he did menial jobs earning less than Sh200 a day.

"Today, I earn Sh470 a day, of which Sh140 goes to my Sacco. We have been trained by NYS on construction. The government has promised to give us certificates so that we can continue elsewhere," he says.

Like Chimoi, many other youths have been trained by NYS in construction. Mohammed Idd, 70, says he has two sons in the project.

"My two sons are now confidently contributing in the house by paying bills. Before this project, I was not sure how they got their money," Mr Idd, from Mashimoni explains.

Some have developed good relationship with the shop owners.

"I can take goods on credit and pay later because the shop owner knows I have work. This is unlike before since I did not know when I would next have a job," said Isaac Juma, a mason from Kambi Muru, who earns Sh1,000 a day.

Lang'ata District Peace Committee Secretary Philip Itore Omondi says the project also acts as a peace initiative in the slums.

"The programme is creating good bonding among youths who for years turned against each other. Working together has led to co-existence in the large slum," he said.

While visiting the projects in Kibera last month, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru said after completion of the project, youths will be given mandate to manage it by charging maintenance fee.

FLYING TOILETS

However, residents are divided over charges. Some say they will not pay any fee since it is a government project. Those who are willing to part with anything say they can only afford Sh5.

"If they charge us for the use of the facilities then we will continue with our usual flying toilets," threatened a resident.

Makina Ward Rep Alhad Adam Babu told The Standard that locals believe the government is upgrading facilities in the slum because they are poor.

"It is going to be hard to convince them to pay anything for the facilities," he explained.

Already, some employees have alleged delayed salary payment by the government and have raised the issues on numerous occasions without success.

They also say they are being handled by many offices in the project. Those involved in the project include NYS, Devolution Ministry, National Water and Sewerage Company and Lands Ministry.

"Different experts come with different ideas, which they want to be followed, leaving us wondering who to believe. There are different bosses who threaten us with sacking, leaving us wondering who is in charge," said Kamau Murigi.

Mr Omondi confirms that there are indeed challenges and confusion, including coordination. He suggests that all stakeholders involved in the projects need to form a committee and discuss the teething problems.