Cheza CBO COMMUNITY

The story of our home community is similar to that of any other slum settlement across the globe. The UN Habitat (2007) defines slums as an habitation having the poorest quality of housing; and the most unsanitary conditions; a region of marginal activities including crime, “vice” and drug abuse. A l ikely source for many epidemics that ravaged urban areas; a place apart from all that was decent and wholesome.

Fuata Nyayo slum settlement is divided into two sections, Fuata Nyayo proper and Kisii Village. About 3,000 mostly three roomed structures are crammed on land measuring approximately 7 acres in size.. Most households occupy a single room and while size varies they mostly range from 3-5 individuals.

Been informal, the houses in Fuata Nyayo are made from cheap temporary material that offer partial safety from extremities of weather elements. 75% of the structures are made of iron sheets, while the rest are built of wattle pole and mud and some spots of cement structures Monthly rents range between Ksh. 1,500 (15 USD) to Ksh. 5,000.(50 USD). Though this is fairly low compared to Nairobi’s average it still cuts into about 30-50% of most resident’s monthly income.

TThe environmental and sanitation situation here is a persistent concern. County government’s water pipes are poorly constructed and are prone to leakage, illegal connections, and pollution, posing obvious health risks to the community .The settlement has no drainage ducts, and water flows freely between the structures into the river below. Domestic refuse is scattered throughout the settlement, a situation exacerbated by the nearby open-air market that generates large amounts of solid waste. This garbage is often disposed in the nearby river. There are fewer than 30 latrines in this settlement. Only a few are connected to the public sewer line, most are located along the river with waste flowing directly into the water, Residents are charged Ksh. 10 per use and only a handful operate for 24hrs. As a result, “flying toilets” abound in the village

Approximately half of the working population is employed in the Nairobi industrial area earning an average of 4 USD Per day; about 15% are unemployed, job-seekers, or housewives. Small-scale traders, either within the open-air market or outside the village, represent about 35% of workforce.

Children and youth who comprise more than half of the population seem to hopelessly captured in this poverty cycle. Low academic attainment , irrelevant vocational training and inadequate entrepreneurial support drawing a bleak future for those out of school. However the CBO endevours , to rewrite this accepted narrative of slum youth in Mukuru Fuata Nyayo. The CBO is to periodically conduct a needs needs assessment survey to ascertain the real needs. And also to determine which empowernment programs have the potential of effecting a lasting solution to the needs raised.

The situation in this community hinders Kenya from achieving UN Sutainable Development Goals.