In a Risky Place: Women & Sanitation in Nairobi’s Slums

By Ariana K. MacPherson, SDI Secretariat

Courtesy of Akiba Mashinani Trust

“As women we are in a very, very risky place.”  – Doris Museti, Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Nairobi

I arrive in Nairobi on Friday and head straight to Muungano House. The building is home to the offices of the Kenyan SDI Alliance, made up of Muungano wa Wanavijiji (the Kenyan federation), Muungano Support Trust (MuST; support NGO to Muungano) and Akiba Mashinani Trust (the finance facility for Muungano). Muungano House is nestled in a cluster of green just off the busy main road, which bustles with the constant rumbles and hoots of Nairobi’s traffic.

I am here to meet with a group of women living in Mukuru kwa Reuben, one of the many villages in the Mukuru belt of slums that stretches across the eastern section of Nairobi. These women have come together to address challenges they face in gaining access to safe, adequate water and sanitation services in their village.

Before making my way to Mukuru Kwa Reuben, I meet with Jane Weru and Edith Kalela of Akiba Mashinani Trust, and Joseph Kimani of MuST. Both organizations have a key part to play in the women’s campaign for improved water and sanitation services. Jane and Edith have been working on a legal case that addresses land ownership issues for the whole of Mukuru. Since the Mukuru slums are located on privately owned land, the government is not able to make any interventions to improve infrastructure or basic services. In addition the threat of eviction is steadily increasing along with the value of land.

Jane Weru, Executive Director of AMT, begins by describing the unique circumstances of Mukuru. “It’s a contiguous belt of slums that the SDI team guesses is larger than Kibera[*],” she begins. “These slums have a special need because they are settled on privately owned land, unlike Kibera and Korogocho.”

Jane then takes me through something of a timeline of events in Mukuru. In 2008 the need to engage became clear, and by the end of 2011 – when slum dwellers from Mukuru came to Muungano House with threats of eviction in hand – it was clear that the time had come to take action in Mukuru.

When a fire erupted in Mukuru Sinai in September 2011, the door was opened once again for landowners to begin sending eviction threats to Mukuru residents. According to Jane, the fire was very bad press for slum dwellers, and landowners took the opportunity to attempt to take back their land.

Mukuru Kwa Njenga

She tells me that no one really knows who owns the land in Mukuru. AMT realized that they would need to understand the ownership patterns before they could move forward. They started investigating but were met with countless roadblocks. Eventually they were able to put together a good bit of information for cases against those landowners threatening eviction. By working with the community to mobilize and build awareness, AMT and Muungano got orders preventing any more dealings from taking place on the land while the case(s) are being sorted out, staving off evictions in Mukuru for the time being.

when a woman from Mukuru mentioned in a community meeting at Muungano House that water and sanitation services are very poor in Mukuru because of the fact that the settlement sits on private land, outside the orbit of government’s jurisdiction for infrastructure improvements. Despite the fact that Kenya’s constitution (passed by Parliament in 2010) calls for the right to adequate sanitation, the state cannot take action on this unless the settlement is on state-owned land. Because of this, the women are asking that the state take back the land so that improvements to infrastructure and basic services can be made. The slum dwellers, alongside AMT, claim that the land is not being put to use by the landowners who gained ownership nearly 20 years ago, and that the state should take back ownership in order to put the land to use for the good of the city.

The women are busy collecting 10,000 signatures from other women across Nairobi to support their campaign, with between six and seven thousand collected to date. In addition, AMT has begun to broadcast the campaign to media outlets in Kenya and beyond. Already, local and international journalists have begun to pick up the story, a tack that AMT and the women of Mukuru hope will put added pressure on the government to do something about the conditions in the Mukuru slums.

In the afternoon, Edith Kalela and I drive across town to meet with the women of Mukuru Kwa Reuben. In Kwa Reuben and neighboring Kwa Njenga alone AMT estimates that there are about 800,000 households – all of which would be affected by evictions were they to take place. But today, free from evictions, these 800,000 households have other challenges to contend with: poor drainage, totally inadequate sanitation services, and little access to clean, potable water, to name a few.

Doris Moseti

We bump down a rough, dirt road, between factories shielded by tall cement walls from crowded streets lined with stalls selling everything from fruit to cell phones to sneakers. People mill about in the afternoon sun as we enter Kwa Reuben. The street narrows and becomes bumpier. I could probably reach out my window for a fresh mango. Soon we pull up across the road from a small patch of grass where Doris Museti stands waiting for us. Doris is one of twenty women from Kwa Reuben who has been mobilizing the community to advocate for improved sanitation and collecting the 10,000 signatures to present to government.

Doris leads us into the heart of Kwa Reuben. We come upon a large field. Children are playing football and chasing after tires in the dusty heat. As we walk, Doris and Phyllis Mulewa, another community leader from Kwa Reuben, inform me that this is the only play area in the whole of Mukuru.

Continuing further into Kwa Reuben the road narrows again and the ground becomes muddy with run-off and storm water that has nowhere to go. Doris turns off the main road and into a narrow walkway, barely wide enough for two people to pass each other.  Here I get a better understanding of what it means to have inadequate sanitation facilities. Doris and Phyllis point out that the run-off between the shacks, flowing into the walkway where we stand. Women and children use these narrow, exposed spaces behind their shacks (about 60 cm wide) as a space for bathing and relieving themselves at night, when walking the distance to the bush means running the risk of violent attack and rape.

Alleys

“Getting to the toilet at night is very difficult,” says Doris, “They are closed, so you have to get an alternative. So we come to the bush, and it is very risky. You have to get two or three women to escort you. If you do not come with two or three people, it is a rape case and it will never be reported. Some women fear to escort you… As women we are in a very, very risky place.”

It’s not much better during the day. Paying for multiple trips to the public toilet facilities is out of the question for most families, leaving no choice but for children to relieve themselves in these alleyways. Later on Doris refers back to  “those houses where you can see drainage coming out like a bathroom,” explaining that, “…they are not bathrooms, they are corridors. So most people are bathing in the corridors because they don’t have bathrooms. You can tell people, ‘Don’t come out! I’m taking a bath!’”

Doris continues describing the conditions that force women and children into these corridors, “You don’t have a bathroom, you have to take a bath, the house is 10 ft. by 10 ft., you are four or three people [in the house], other people have other business in the house, so you take a bath outside… the house just smells of dampness if you take a bath in there. The water goes on the carpet, and the house is always damp. Mosquitoes are full throughout.”

Open drainage breeding ground for Mosquitoes

So there is no option, really, but to use these alleyways. Because of the run-off, the walkways are flooded and filthy. When it rains, it is much worse. Sewerage mixes with rainwater and floods people’s homes. Disease runs rampant during these times. “Having cholera, typhoid, is very easy,” Doris says, “We had an outbreak of cholera – it was very bad. You would hear someone is sick today, and dies tomorrow.”

Even the few toilet facilities that exist are problematic. Doris and Helen Nyaboke, another resident of Kwa Reuben, describe the process of emptying the pit latrines in the settlement, “There are two or three men who come and empty your pit latrine. After emptying, they go around pushing the cart. It will spill everywhere. When they [find] a drain, they pour [it] there and then go back and drain again. What impact does that bring? They have emptied this toilet, they have spilled everything on the road, and then they have poured it in that drainage.” The drainage they are referring to is a shallow gulley that runs alongside the walkways. When they flood or clog, they spill over into the roads and walkways. I can understand their frustration with the system.

Doris relates this back to the diseases she spoke of earlier, “It has an effect on us and on our kids.” Referring to sewerage water and human waste contaminating walkways, Doris says, “Children don’t differentiate [between] that and cleanliness.” Another woman pipes up, saying, “And STI (sexually transmitted infection) is very, very high because we are sharing one toilet between more than 150 people.”

Sharing one toilet between more than 150 people. I ask the women about this, about sharing facilities with so many people, about bathing in their small homes with children and husbands running around. Phyllis Mulewa describes it to me, “About the privacy, you never know if someone is looking in the door or in the iron sheets [walls], because most of them have holes… For us as women, we feel this is not for us. Maybe it is for animals, but not for us. But what can we do?”

Evelyn Apondi, a young woman in her mid-twenties, tells me that she lives in a 10 ft. x 10 ft. “cube” with eleven other family members. “It is very difficult for us,” she says, “especially when there are fathers, brothers, sisters and mothers in the same cube and you can’t bathe, because bathing is a basic need. And apart from that, there are no toilets. It has been very hard.”

Doris and Evelyn describe what it’s like for women who are menstruating. They have to hide their sanitary towels, throwing them on top of their shacks or in the road so that they are out of the way. There is nowhere to dispose of them inside the house. Family members complain about the smell. Women are made to feel ashamed of this natural, monthly occurrence, and are forced to dispose of sanitary towels in a manner that leaves the settlement dirty, and its inhabitants at greater risk of disease.

It is the same story when a woman gives birth. There is nowhere to dispose of the afterbirth, so it is kept in a tin can in the house; “The container will remain in the house until very late in the evening,” Doris says, “What is she to do with it? She will have to wait until very late to dispose of it, maybe mix it with dirty water and then throw it out…. Nowadays, blood carries everything.”

Evelyn tells me she wants to get a job so that she can rent her own cube, have some privacy and maybe even start a family of her own, but like so many of these women, she has not been able to find steady work. “We have just been surviving,” she says.

Most of the women I speak to rely on casual work for their incomes. “You wake up in the morning and try to find a job,” says Doris. “You can sometimes find something for the day, for the week, but it is very insecure. Some women do washing. There are [lots of] small-scale traders… But it is very hard.”

I am interested to know what these women see as a potential solution to the sanitation issues they face in Mukuru. I ask them what would make the most difference in their lives with regard to sanitation. Both Doris and Phyllis suggest the same thing: “The government coming in and planning with us. Then we will have sewers and everything… Then the structure owners will be forced to do something. If the government plans for us – if they plan for residential rather than factories, and if people build their houses in order, then we can have proper drainage and proper roads.” =

I recognize this proposal from my discussions with Jane Weru earlier in the day. They want the government to claim back the land from the current landowners and re-plan the whole of Mukuru as a mixed-use area, serviced by bulk infrastructure connected to the rest of the city. This would mean widespread access to basic services and increased security of tenure for Mukuru’s residents. Doris comments on the threats of eviction that she and other Mukuru residents have faced in recent years as land values in Nairobi continue to rise:

“We are here, and then that person – after 40 or 30 or 50 years – they are claiming back the land. Where do we go? We are not trees. Imagine you have a place, your home – how can a person come to build in your home? You have grandchildren here, they have children, and then you want to chase them out. Where do we go?”

These women have lived in Mukuru for at least fifteen years. Most of them were born here. This is their home and they want to improve it – to work with the government to make Mukuru a safe, secure place for them and their families to live. But because of the landownership issues, Muungano, AMT and MuST cannot move forward with sanitiation improvements in Mukuru. So instead they have proposed a precedent-setting pilot project in Mathare, another settlement north of Mukuru that is settled on government land. The hope is that this project will set an example for the kind of upgrading that could take place in Mukuru once the land ownership issues are sorted out.

According to Irene Karanja, director of Muungano Support Trust (MuST), the first phase of the project will assist 800 households residing in three clusters of Mathare settlement. The total population of these three clusters is equal to roughly 2620 households. At present, the residents of Mathare have two sanitation options: they can either pay a large fee to private businessmen to connect to the informal sewer system, or they can pay to use the few community toilets, many of which are unsafe and unsanitary.

Because local businessmen own the informal sewer system, the costs for connecting to the main pipe are unaffordable for most Mathare residents. It costs USD $46 for households within 30 meters of the river to connect to the informal sewer line, and up to USD $170 for the families furthest from the river. Because of this, families elect not to pay the high connection fees and instead dump sewerage into the river.

To combat this, MuST has proposed a solution that seeks a low-cost, sustainable and scalable model for sanitation in informal settlements. Specifically, the project seeks to find:

a)    An environmentally sustainable model which seeks to demonstrate to the State how to manage human waste without contaminating natural resources

b)   A model that is able to leverage resources from the State while at the same time utilizing community contributions for the development of a permanent sewer solution. The main innovation here is finding low-cost financing for sanitation upgrades.

c)    A model that demonstrates that state investments for any trunk infrastructure targeted at the poor increases the integration of poor communities into the formal systems of the city.

More information about the proposed project is forthcoming. Please watch this space for more information.

 

An Introspect of the late Benson Osumba, Chair Muungano wa Wanavijiji

Ben’s life Story as Contributed by Henry Otunge (Savings Scheme member, Korogocho) and Aggrey Willis Otieno (Brother)

Benson Osumba

Benson Erick Osumba lived a short but fulfilling life. Though we are deeply hurt and in inconsolable grief and disbelief, hidden in all the pain and sorrow that we feel, we celebrate him for having touched our lives in a million ways.

Benson Erick Osumba was born in Nairobi on 28^th February 1980 to the late Richard Odhiambo Osumba and Peninah Awino Osumba, and so begun the life of the man that people gathered here today were proud of to call their husband, their father, their son, their brother, their friend and leader.

In his early childhood days, Benson grew up in the sprawling slums of Korogocho without beating his siblings. He was very playful and humorous that his mum would quickly forget punishing him when he was in the wrong.

Benson Osumba joined Scouting at a tender age while in primary school and an active member of Tegemeo Scouts Center, he was appointed a patrol member and a stave master of their unit/ troop. He was among of his troop who represented Nairobi Province in the Nationals Inter Patrol Competitions. He underwent various Leadership Trainings; in the words of the founder of Scouting Osumba did his best in leaving the world a better place than he found it.

As early as he was 9 years old, Benson started exhibiting a sense for indulging in community service by becoming a Cub Scout member in Ngunyumu Primary school. He moved up the rank and file of the scout system and eventually not only became a cub scout but also an admired troop commander. He was also a talented stave commander. This talent made him to be called upon on several occasions to lead the passing over parade by Boy Scouts during public holidays in front of the second President of Kenya, H.E Daniel Arap Moi.

As Senior Wang’ombe recalls, “the most memorable moment was when President Moi put some cash inside Benson’s pocket at State House during one of the public holidays”.

Education

Benson started his schooling life in 1986 when he joined St. John’s Nursery school. He joined standard one class, at Ngunyumu Primary school in 1987 and left in 1992 to join Jina Primary School where he continued with his studies for Standard 7 and 8. Having excelled in his KCPE exams in 1994, Benson got admitted to St. Theresa Boys High school, Nairobi in 1995 and sat for his KCSE exams in 1998 in the same school.

Benson had a checkered illustrious career; Benson was a well liked and respected young man. He dedicated his entire life in serving the urban poor where he sharpened his leadership and problem solving skills. He has served in the boards of various Non- Governmental Organizations notably being Pambazuko Mashinani and Muungano Support Trust.

Though many within the civil society remember him as an urban poor advocate. Benson Osumba was also an entrepreneur in his own right. He registered Bencastro Engineering firm in 2008. Through the firm, Benson has left behind a number of buildings that he drew their architectural designs the latest being the telemedicine centre that belongs to his elder brother – Aggrey Willis.

Benson was a bit of a perfectionist in everything he did, he liked things to be just so. While not engaged in community service, Benson dedicated his time to perfecting his architectural drawing skills. To quench his thirst for more knowledge in the same field, he enrolled for a distance learning course.

Osumba joined Muungano wa Wanavijiji in April, 2000 through his local savings scheme, Korogocho Needy; in Gitathuru Village, Korogocho Network, Nairobi Eastern region. He joined the group after an Enumeration exercise conducted in Korogocho settlement under the supervision of Muungano federation and the Korogocho people settlement.

His enthusiasm to learn the Enumeration tool unveiled by Slum Dwellers International, Osumba was selected as an Enumerator representing the Gitathuru Enumerations team. His hard work during the enumeration exercise was noted by the Gitathuru community leaders; he was the approached by the settlement leader; Martin Okumu to join their group, Korogocho Needy, who were in need of a group secretary.

Benson agreed to be the group’s secretary; he was deputized by the Late Tobias Ndege. Osumba embraced SDI’s concept of savings for a better life out of poverty and a developed well knit Korogocho settlement. Despite the fact that he lacked a job and a steady source of income, Osumba set aside every penny he could afford, so that he could save and be a good example with his savings group.

Benson managed his duties very well as the group’s secretary until 2005, when he joined the Federation to help out on Data Entry Training and Enumerations team, in Nairobi’s Eastern region by then. His brilliance and his ability to analyze perspectives on a broader perspective, gave his the opportunity to take part in numerous enumerations exercise in various towns and settlements in Kenya and abroad.

In his capacity as Secretary of Korogocho Needy; he together with the members set up systems and structures that would ensure all members get access to loans, ensured proper documentation and filing, transparency in running the group’s affairs and more importantly he ensured the role of women in the management of the group was achieved.

That very year, 2005; Benson opened himself up to attend the federation’s workshops, trainings on savings, community organising and lobbying and advocacy. His confidence and passion for community processes and participation matured.

In August 2005, Benson left Korogocho Needy group and formed a new group, called Cup Kenya, of which he was able to maintain his membership until his untimely death.  Osumba managed to organize many groups in Korogocho and outside and within Kasarani District; such as Kariadudu United, Bsucola Youth SHG, Laundy Youth and Hunters in Korogocho. Kariadudu United and Hunters picked up momentum and are performing well.

Benson took life in his stride and appreciated what life offered him. Alongside countless people from Muungano wa Wanavijiji, civil society, global networks, and community-based organizations, Benson traversed the country and the world, trying to conceptualize and support poor peoples’ initiatives.

In 2007, the Nairobi Regional Council members of Muungano wa Wanavijiji, from both Eastern and Southern regions held an election to elect the Nairobi Regional Chairperson. Benson was then elected as the Nairobi Region Chairperson, where he was given the mandate to address the plight of the urban poor in the city.

In May 2008, the federation (Muungano wa Wanavijiji), decided to restructure its organizational structure, that would see a more vibrant and all inclusive and people centered movement. After the reorganization of the federation’s structure, and election was called for.  Benson was elected the National Chairman of the Kenya’s Slum Dwellers Federation (Muungano wa Wanavijiji) for a renewable term of five years.

His experience garnered at national and international SDI processes, Benson implemented the operationalisation of the new look federation. Benson also transformed himself to a critical thinker, strategist, activist and a brilliant community organizer, a unique trait indeed.

It is out of these special character traits that; in May 2008 Benson was nominated by the Kenyan Federation to sit on the board of Shack/Slum Dwellers International, representing Kenya.  Benson served with dedication as Chairperson of Muungano wa Wanavijiji, and SDI Board Member till his untimely demise.

Martin Nyawina Okumu a grassroot community leader; Korogocho describes Benson as a best friend. “He was born a leader and a listener. He went out of his way to help the poor regardless of their status or affiliation to the federation, we will dearly miss him”. “Henry Otunge, a member of Muungano Korogocho network and advocacy team, remembers Benson, as a brave community organizer and coordinator, when he had money he called himself, “Osumba will pay”, when he had no money he called himself,” Osumba will organize”, we went to the extent of nicknaming him; OKEW GI YESU!

The late Benson Osumba was in perfect health until March 2013, when he started ailing and immediately started the prescribed treatment for his illness. Benson began getting better and returned to his normal duties.

On 15^th April 2013, his health deteriorated and was admitted in Hospital where he was getting specialized treatment. His health deteriorated on 17^th April, 2013 and he succumbed to his ill health. Benson went to be with the Lord.

Despite his ill health, Benson was never at any one given time discouraged; he was ever jovial, vibrant, energetic and charismatic. Benson was full of life and valued every moment he spent with his family, regardless of his busy schedule to serve the Federation of Kenya’s Urban poor as their national Chairman.

He has left behind a wife and four children, namely Cynthia Awino, Marion Atieno, Fidel Odhiambo and Victor Ryan.

Benson will be laid to rest on 4^th May 2013, at his Yala home, Gem

Digging a foundation for a housing project

Tribute from colleagues and friends

In reflecting Benson’s life his colleagues, peers and friends both locally and internationally pay glowing tribute to a fallen hero;

I remember Benson sometime back when I came to Kenya, and he told me of how he has constituted a federation leadership structure. I was surprised to find that majority of the men had taken up leadership. That is when I beseeched him to incorporate more women in leadership, for this will help strengthen the Kenyan federation. This he did, and a number of women are now sitting on the National Executive Council.

I called Benson a number of times, to spend time with me in India; we planned on a number of issues regarding the federation and key community projects. We thank God for giving us Benson, though for a short time, he was able to do a lot for the Kenyan Federation and the SDI global network.

We at SDI will honor Benson’s immense contribution and dedication by replicating his ideas and work throughout the slums in our global network.- Jockin Arpthrum, President SDI

His calm nature was coupled by a jovial tone, many thought it was a weakness but indeed it was a gift that enabled him to negotiate with the Kenyan government on the needs of the poor to be enjoined in the participatory planning process, it was above all an opportunity to make connections and sign MOUs with various stakeholders, thus sustaining a resilient urban poor people. It is this people-building that was the real and lasting investment.-Rashid Mutua, Vice Chair Muungano wa Wanavijiji.

His resilience to ensure that the people’s agenda are at the centre stage of engagement with government and other stakeholders shall always be remembered. Rest in peace Ben- Jane Weru, Akiba Mashinani, Kenya

We celebrate his life today; we would like to acknowledge the role he has played in placing the urban poor agenda at the center of development in Kenya. He courageously responded to settlements faced with forced evictions with a resolve to end this kind of injustice in Kenya and other countries. The struggle continues and his vision for a safe city for all, especially the poor, lives on!!-Irene Karanja-Muungano Support Trust, Kenya

Benson was a uniting figure to all. He leaves at a time when Muungano and civil society need more to forge the agenda for inclusive development. God rest him in peace-Prof Peter Ngau, University of Nairobi

My thoughts and prayers of strength to the whole SDI family, Muungano Federation and Benson’s family in particular. May his soul rest in peace as his loving memory and spirit continue to guide our activism.-Paula Assubiji, Cape Town

On behalf of the Zambian Alliance, we would want to offer our sincere condolences to Benson’s family, Muungano and the entire SDI family. We pray for God’s comfort and guidance during this tough period. May God be with us-Nelson Ncube, Zambian SDI Alliance 

 Losing such a young, bright and indeed amazing young man is shocking but we will celebrate the life we shared with him and the inspiration and hope he gave to us as a Network. May Your soul rest in peace Ben and may the Lord comfort your family during this sad and trying time.-Siku Nkhoma, Malawi SDI Alliance 

From Boston, I echo the sentiments of the rest of this broad family. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the rest of Muungano and the wider SDI family. I experienced his presence in a number of meetings, and shared many conversations and an occasional after-hours game of pool with him. Benson was a man of strategy and a street philosopher. His warm personality, tactical sensibility, intellect, leadership and conviction are embedded in the strengths of Muungano, and the rest of the SDI network of federations and support professionals. For these reasons and more, may we honor his memory-Benjamin Bradlow, SDI Secretariat 

Please accept my deepest condolences. Benson will be with us in spirit. – Arvinn Gadgil, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway  

On behalf of SDFN/NHAG and fellow Namibians we would like to offer our sincere condolences to his family, fellow fed members, SDI family. May the almighty be with us all during this difficult moment and be consoled. We are together in prayers and may all of us be strengthened.-Heinrich, Namibian SDI Alliance

It is saddening to learn of the passing on of our dear brother Benson. Please convey my condolence to the family of the deceased. We thank God for the gift of his life and pray that may his soul rest in eternal peace-Samuel Mabala, Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development, Uganda

On behalf of the South African Alliance please convey our deepest sympathy to our Kenyan colleagues and the family of Benson.  Hamba Kahle to a dear friend and brother of the movement!-Bunita Kohler, South African SDI Alliance

Benson has been a source of motivation for SL Alliance. Our condolence to his family and Muungano.  May his soul rest in peace and let perpetual light shine upon him.-Francis Reffell, Sierra Leone SDI Alliance 

The Zimbabwean Federation and Dialogue on Shelter wishes to convey its condolences to Benson’s family, Muungano and the whole of the SDI family on the passing of Benson. He will be greatly missed by all of us who had the pleasure of working with him.-Beth Chitekwe-Biti, Zimbabwe SDI Alliance

Benson Osumba alikuwa mtu mwema na mkarimu. Bwana Osumba
hakumwamuru mtu ye yote amheshimu, lakini ulipomwona ulijua yeye ni
mtu mpole aliyestahili heshima. Alikuwa mwenye ujuzi sana katika kazi yake, na alikuwa kiongozi ambaye alipenda sana kuhudumia Muungano. Lakini Bwana Osumba hakuwa na maringo, na
siku zote alipenda kuzungumza na watu wote bila ubaguzi.  Alinikumbuka kila
niliporudi Kenya, na alinipokea kwa njia ambayo ilinifanya nijisikie kama niko
nyumbani. Kifo cha Bwana Osumba ni hasara kubwa na ninasikitika sana. Lakini
nina hakika kwamba Muungano utaendeleza kazi muhimu ya Bwana Osumba, na
Muungano wetu utaimarika zaidi. Pole sana kwa familia ya Ben na Muungano-Alice Sverdlik, USA

May Benson rest in peace and his life’s dedication to the urban poor be an inspiration to us all.

Peace-Elizabeth Mackeon, Formely Ford Foundation

 Please accept my condolences to Benson’s family, friends and the entire Muungano family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. I know Benson’s vision and passion will continue to fuel the urban poor and their supporters in creating better lives for all – we will miss him terribly and remember his passion and dedication to push ourselves forward. –Sureshbabu Suman, Rockefeller Foundation

Rest in perfect peace Chairman. May the good Lord grant you a perfect rest in his bosom. My deepest condolences to the family and the Kenyan Federation at large. – Mensah Owusu, Ghana

I am so heartbroken to hear of Benson’s passing. He was such a nice guy who had a smile for everyone he met. We will miss the Professor every day-Louise Cobbett, Bethesda

 

 

 

 

Muungano wa Wanavijiji/Forum Syd Partner

https://www.forumsyd.org

Muungano wa Wanavijiji has partnered with Swedish based organization, Forum Syd in two distinct Governance Projects namely; Jua Jimbo-DFID and Jua Jimbo-EU. Forum Syd is a Swedish democracy and rights organization with 200 Swedish member organizations and thousands of partner organizations and networks worldwide. Together we develop democracy and reduce global poverty. The main objectives of these Governance projects at the grass roots is to authoritatively challenge the abuse of power, oppression and discrimination as a means of reducing poverty in the world, and do so in association with our Swedish member organizations and thousands of volunteer worldwide.

Forum Syd’s major objectives is to build strong civil societies, where the power is shared by many and the resources are distributed fairly; where people have power to determine their own lives, influence their country’s development and, together, eradicate poverty.

Project Description

Jua Jimbo-DFID

Even after the promulgation of new constitution in 2010, millions of low income communities in Kenya continue to face myriads of challenges in regards to public participation and good governance.

Despite the new constitution being entrenched with provisions ensuring bill of rights, gender balance and avenues for public participation, communities especially those living in low income areas are ignorant and do not have enough information about the new constitutional provisions on the county governments and how they can actively participate and benefit from the new dispensation.

Women are worst affected when it comes to active participation and leadership opportunities and this affects power relations at the community level and in the long run also at higher levels in society. Youth-based civil society organizations based at the community level do not have sufficient capacities to engage communities and leaders in ensuring popular participation, democratic leadership and good governance.
What is the project about?

Funded by DFID, DANIDA and CIDA under the Drivers of Accountability Programme Jua Jimbo aims at bringing about accountable county governments that are influenced by voice poor and the marginalized communities in their decision making processes with a specific focus on marginalized groups like women and youth.

Forum Syd is currently rolling out Jua Jimbo project in Kenya in collaboration with Youth Alive! Kenya and Muungano Wa Wanavijiji (Federation of Slum Dwellers). Jua Jimbo which translates to “Know your County” in Kiswahili is part of Forum Syd’s social accountability Program in Kenya.

The project comes at a critical point in Kenya when the country is shifting towards devolved county government system. The projects are therefore expected to play a key role in creating continued awareness on the new constitutional framework on devolution.

Who is targeted?
The project targets 20,000 community members directly and another 100,000 indirectly in 11 constituencies in Nakuru, Kisumu, Kakamega and Machakos counties. Furthermore, the project will also target 36 community-based youth organizations to strengthen their capacities to lobby and advocate for community participation and good governance at the county level. Jua Jimbo will also enhance the capacities of 120 county leaders in a bid to promote accountable democratic leadership.

How will Jua Jimbo be implemented?

Jua Jimbo project design is guided by Forum Syd strategies under three main areas; gender, democracy and human rights, and environment and climate change. Thus besides contributing to the empowerment of marginalized groups, strengthening of a democratic society and reduction of discriminatory formal and non-formal structures, the project contributes to gender equality by transforming the balance of power between women and men.

At the organizational level, the project will endeavor to strengthen the capacities of local organizations to contribute to better access to rights and democratic influence for poor and marginalized people. At the structural level the project will seek to ensure that marginalized people have strengthened their access to rights and democratic influence in society.

The activities described in each of the result areas will be implemented using a rights-based approach with varied community project delivery methodologies namely; Capacity building at partner and community level, creation of opportunities for dialogue; Participatory community based education and awareness creation among others.

Jua Jimbo will also work with the supply side to enhance leadership capacities and improve dialogue while at the same time promote lobbying and advocacy for good governance and citizen participation.

Expectations

The project expects that 20,000 targeted community members will have increased knowledge and skills on good governance, structure and initiatives in their counties. The knowledge and skills gained is expected to lead to collective voices influencing development processes at the community levels. By the end of the project, it is expected that individuals targeted will have reinforced democratic influence, increased ability to claim rights and to hold relevant stakeholders and government accountable.

The new Kenyan constitution provides space for greater women participation through affirmative action for women, youth and persons with disabilities. Jua Jimbo projects thus have a mentorship programme targeting young women to enhance their leadership skills towards quality participation. Through linkages with mentors in countries like Sweden and Rwanda, it is expected that the two counties will have a cadre of young women leaders with enhanced skills to participate in and influence the governance processes at the community level.

It is anticipated that the targeted groups will improve communication and understanding between them leading to improved relations. These improved relationships will be brought about as a result of improved flow of information, knowledge and skills gained and improved collaboration between the supply and demand sides. The project expects county structures/institutions, will be more responsive, effective and efficient in service delivery as a result of collaboration with the demand side and due to increased citizen participation.

 

Jua Jimbo Project-EU

Young men and women living in low income areas and slum communities are often marginalized in governance issues. These voice poor communities have low awareness levels and as a result rarely do they participate in decision-making processes.  Women are the most affected and have lower chances of leadership engagement at all levels.  These negatively affects their participation in the proposed county governance processes.

What is the project about?

Funded by European Union, Jua Jimbo project is part of Forum Syd’s Social Accountability Program in Kenya.  The project seeks to increase the participation of low income young men and women in county government processes; enhance the capacity of targeted young women leaders, county leaders and institutions in democratic leadership and good county governance in order to improve dialogue and linkages between the supply and demand sides at the county level.

Who is targeted?
The project targets 10,000 community members directly and another 50,000 indirectly in Nakuru and Kisumu Counties. Forum Syd will implement the project in collaboration with 2 partners: Muungano Wa Wanavijiji and Youth Alive! Kenya in six constituencies; Nakuru Town, Rongai, Naivasha, Nyando, Kisumu Town East and Kisumu Town West. The project will also target 20 community based youth organizations to strengthen their capacity to lobby and advocate for community participation and democratic leadership at the county level.

How will Jua Jimbo be implemented?
The project will use a rights-based approach to incorporate varied strategies such as capacity building of partner organizations and communities, participatory community based education, sports and arts targeting young men and women, awareness creation and lobbying and advocacy for good governance.

Jua Jimbo project will have a mentorship programme targeting young women to enhance their leadership skills. These young women will be linked to mentors in Kenya, Rwanda and Sweden to improve their capacities and prepare them for county government positions.

The project will also incorporate use of Information Communication and Technology (ICT). The Resource Centres will be ICT enhanced and there will be use of web-based bulk SMS (Short Message Service) to disseminate information and create awareness on devolved governments.

Forum Syd and its partners will strengthen the Jua Jimbo networking efforts of  to function efficiently, to advocate and campaign and engage with governing institutions at the constituency levels.

Expected Results
The project activities will be structured in a manner that will stimulate dialogue on governance issues, encourage youth to demand accountability and action from their government and encourage youth participation in local and national development issues, which are keys to reducing poverty and promoting good governance.
It is expected that community based youth organizations, targeted leaders and communities will be actively engaged in advocacy for good governance. Creation of awareness in the community on specific issues affecting the county will result in targeted groups taking appropriate action. Information flow will lead to better informed communities resulting in an increase in the number of community members who are aware of developmental and governance affairs of their counties. As a result, there will be an increase in community participation in the management, decision making and involvement in county governments leading to improved governance subsequently marginalized people will be playing a lead role in holding local county governments’ accountable
Through the young women leaders mentorship programme, it is expected that the two counties will have a cadre of young women leaders with enhanced skills to participate in and influence the governance processes at the community level.

 

SLUM DWELLERS INTERNATIONAL JOINS THE WORLD URBAN CAMPAIGN

By Shadrack Mbaka, MUST

Left Jockin Arputhum(SDI President) and UN-Habitat Executive Director, Joan Clos sign the MOU recognizing SDI as a partner in the WUC in Gigiri, Nairobi.

NAIROBI, 18 APRIL 2013-Slum Dwellers International has officially joined the World Urban Campaign, a lobby and advocacy platform on sustainable urbanization for “Better City, Better Life,” a programme coordinated by UNHABITAT.

The World Urban Campaign brings together partners a cross sectors. It is designed to facilitate international cooperation, and acts as platform to converge organizations in order to collaborate on solutions and build consensus towards a new urban agenda for the Habitat 111 conference that is expected to take place in 2016.

SDI now a partner in the World Urban Campaign will help engage cities around the world through “I’m a city changer Campaigns, aimed at raising awareness on urban issues and to add on the voice of the people to propose positive solutions to the urban challenges, especially the poor.

SDI will also have an opportunity to represent the voices and interests of the poor, and thereby engage slum dwellers as city changers, while working closely with key WUC partners around the world to ensure improved cities and to integrate poor communities in the management and development of their cities.

UN-HABITAT runs a series of strategic programmes designed to help make cities safer, to bring relief in countries suffering the aftermath of war or natural disasters, and promote sustainable cities and good governance. Under the Urban Management Programme, an initiative of United Nations Development Programme, UN-HABITAT, the World Bank and various bilateral donors, the agency fosters urban management in the fields of participatory urban governance, urban poverty alleviation, environmental management, and the dissemination of this information at the local, national and regional levels.

UN-HABITAT also develops indicators of good urban governance with two principle aims. The first aim is to help cities identify urban governance priorities and assess their progress towards the quality of city-life and the second aim is to develop a global Good Urban Governance Index. The agency has a Training and Capacity Building Branch which works at national and local levels in various countries to strengthen capacity building through high-level policy dialogues seminars, consultations and expert workshops.

SDI team led by Jockin Arputhum, Sheela Patel, Rose Malokoane and Joel Bolnick expressed enthusiasm for continuing to collaborate with UN-Habitat and adequately use the campaign platform to work with other organizations in order to improve urban life for all.

In her speech to the press, Rose Molokoane one of the SDI’S Coordinators said;

“We feel really honored for the recognition by UN-Habitat as a partner in World Urban Campaign. It is the basics of engaging the communities that has brought us this far, through savings and placing the women at the centre of collective community leadership has created engagements with governments and local authorities. This has set precedent for government and other stakeholders that organized communities can bring about transformation.

Slum dwellers know how settlements can be planned. This can only happen by involving the poor in the planning process, deal with slums not slum dwellers. The urban poor are the only ones who can open up cities for development; therefore they should be seen as partners who are well able to change the cities, to achieve this, governments should give the urban poor security of tenure to witness urban development”.

On her part, SDI Chairperson, Sheela Patel acknowledged that indeed it was a special moment for SDI. She said that change requires transformation, and through the Memorandum signed between UN-Habitat and SDI, the Urban poor global network seeks to demonstrate potential for transformation especially from below. “ This kind of partnerships has been waiting to happen for a long time, we have tried to engage in the past, some have been successful while some unsuccessful, either way we hope to change how stakeholders view the urban poor”, said Sheela.

On his part as the SDI President, Jockin thanked the Executive Director, for agreeing to sign an MOU with Slum Dwellers International for it has opened a new chapter.”SDI is privileged to partner with UN-Habitat on the urban transformative agenda. Being part of the decision making process, this partnership will bring change through the involvement of the poor, and we take it as a challenge in helping to realize the Millennium Development Goals. The issue of lack of proper sanitation infrastructure is a major impediment to development. We  are going to work together and show the world how we are going to change, we have the information and we know how to plan”, said Jockin.

Dr. Joan Clos, UN-Habitat Executive Director expressed appreciation for the work that SDI has done and continues to do, and for SDI’s unique makeup and tireless efforts to create inclusive cities and to promote participatory processes beginning at community level to city wide transformation.

“SDI has become a force in favor of the poor by demanding the recognition of the poor as far as the urban agenda is concerned. Slums are a source of innovation(citing Mumbai), therefore there will be no bulldozing of livelihoods of the people living in these settlements, any transformation in urban poor settlements need be in participatory of slum dwellers because these communities are well organized, something governments are yet to do,” Said Clos.

He also noted the importance of this collaboration in bringing the urban poor to the forefront of shaping the global urban agenda, and the important role SDI has continued to play in building inclusive cities.

ACTIVATING SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CHANGE IN COGNISANCE OF SETTLEMNT PROFILES

Cross Posted from SDI Blog

SDI Federation Affiliates Attending the Enumeration Conference in Nairobi, Kenya

Slum Dwellers International (SDI) in working spirit with affiliate member federation global states, which has presence in 38 countries, has been in the business of transforming housing policy using the bottom up approach for the past two decades.

SDI doctrines and rituals premised on the notions of social and political change, savings groups linked to federations of the urban poor has built a global network built on national and international exchanges and has continued to set a precedent in woman’s empowerment through self-build and collaboration with government.

SDI’s work has been recognised at the highest levels of government, and has been showcased to international audiences such as UN Habitat, Cities Alliance, World Bank and other multilateral organizations.

Past Enumeration Exercise in Malindi, Kenya

Communities are taking up the spaces to innovate, plan and implement social processes to work with other National Governments and Private sector stakeholders. This has been achieved by facilitating engagements with formal state and non state actors.

The formalization and implementation of community based Enumerations has seen the generation of community oriented information and data, that are important to the development and growth of urban poor settlements around the globe.

In his article on the SDI Enumerations Conference held in Nairobi on 13th/14th April 2013, Walter Fieuw, CORC, South Africa informs; “Community-driven settlement profiling, enumerations, and spatial mapping are practices that federations associated with SDI have developed over two decades. These become valuable tools in negotiating more equitable resource flows from the public and private sector to urban poor communities. Profiling is a “top-level scan” of the most important features of the settlement, an estimation of the number of shacks, socio-economic and demographic information and access to services.

It is also often times the first point of contact of the federation to a non-affiliated settlement/slum and opens a dialogue on the networking of community structures at the city level to influence city governments.”
Over time, to be precise twenty years now, federations within the SDI global networks have used this tool to categorise and map out slums in cities. Countries use different questionnaires, data capturing systems, and mapping tools to reach this goal.

In order to upscale this data collective framework to give a global narration based on credible and community-driven quantitative data, SDI has engaged the Santa Fe Institute, who are supporting a process of standardisation. The goal of this process is apparent upfront:
To enhance the federations’ ability to generate settlement information in a standardised format for city, regional, national and global analysis, while maintaining all the social mobilisation characteristics that have made profiling a powerful tool in the first place.

In a two-day workshop between 13 – 14 April 2013 held in Nairobi, federations from Africa and Asia came together to discuss the purposes, community structures and impact of profiling, and to chart the way forward. Jockin Arputham, president of SDI and coordinator of the National Slum Dwellers Federation of India, opened the workshop by reflecting on the progress to date:
This meeting has been called to alert and request everybody to create an action programme for the profile. We all have different questionnaires, although we say we are one family. Settlement profiles need to be captured, and we need to stay consistent in the questions we require. If the country needs more information, you need to add another page. We need one SDI questionnaire, so we can use the information globally. We want to understand what the magnitude of our power is. We want to make different cases to different audiences. We want to collaborate with all the actors speaking about land, housing, infrastructure; all the people speaking about the urban.

This practice first started in India where slum dwellers were exposed to slum eradication in the 1960s and ’70s. Shekar Mulyan recalled the experiences at a young age.

I was born in a Bombay slum, and composition of the settlement was that of migrant workers. My father and Jockin were the first generation leaders. I was six years old when an eviction started that changed the way we would think about organised communities.

Baba Atomic Centre owned the land where we lived. The government recognised the strategic importance of the land, and started planning a large resettlement/eviction process. Jockin was organising protests, but we were failing on all fronts. We did not have any information about of settlement, even though were engaging trade unions, government agencies, and so on. We lost the court case, and the government commanded us to move once again.

We realised that no other community had to go through what we went through. We started thinking about ways to assist communities in similar situations, and how we can best support them. We started counting all the slums in Bombay. This happened over weekends, and there were no resources to support the process. When we compared the numbers the state put forward, and that what we collected, we saw a large discrepancy: the state was always undercounting and minimising the urban crisis.

By creating a “slum dweller perspective” on city planning processes through the practice of profiling informal settlements, groups networking at the city level have better information on their position in the city. City governments often view informal settlements as being “black holes” of demands on state resources; that poor people don’t contribute to the resource base and demand more services and social allowances and grants. This false belief often diverges development capital from poor neighborhoods towards middle and upper classes, believing that the cost of such infrastructure investments will be recovered through a larger tax base. In this way, cities become more divided, more unequal and the chance of poverty alleviation is seen as a trickle down effect from the market, which has been proven to be untrue.

Alternative views on the organisation and vibrancy challenge these (neoliberal) assumptions of city building. Poor people operate in an economic and social structure that is beyond the control of the state. Here jobs are created, livelihood networks are established, crisis committees respond to disasters, and people build cities from the bottom up.

Federations associated to SDI are generating critical information that builds these counter-hegemonic views of the urban poor, rendering a rich and diverse picture of the productive life of slums and slum dweller communities.

The experience of the Homeless People’s Federation of Malawi speaks directly to these points as Mphatso Njunga, a federation leader, reflected at the workshop:
We are also using our profiling process to understand the budgeting processes in cities, and we are pushing the government to open up participatory spaces to influence the allocation of budgets. In Blantyre, we were never aware of special budgets to development infrastructure in informal settlements, and now we are more involved. We are also working with universities around planning for upgrading. The profiling helps us to categorise the most pressing needs, and create an action plan.

Moving beyond the influence on state resources towards building critical mass of community capacity and social capital, the experience of the Homeless People’s Federation of Tanzania inspired a lot of discussion between the federations.

I am from a slum in Dar es Salaam and I have been involved in enumerations since the federations started. We started in 2005, which focused on mobilising savings schemes. The SDI team assisted us to build the template questionnaire, and they mobilised two groups. In 2006, we did another enumeration, which was spurred by eviction threats. The government played up the tenants and the occupants against one another, and wanted to evict last mentioned group. The Kenyan team helped us with numbering, measuring plots, and capturing data. (Husua, federation coordinator)

Once communities have generated sufficient “critical mass” and information about slums, alternative democratic spaces can emerge in which the federation has an influence on the flow of resource which determines whether cities become more pro-poor. Brenda from the Zambian federation recalled their working partnerships with government’s structure.

We network with the government’s ward development committee (WDC) and get introduced to the community. The WDC plays an important role in making bridges between the formal and the informal.

We have collected 139 settlement profiles on the total number of 255 slums. This spreads over three cities. Working with the NGO we collect and analyse the data, clean it and process it, and then share it from the bottom up: the community, WDC, city and national minister.

The federations closed the two day meeting on reflecting on the way going forward. Countries agree to a 2 month and 6 months action plan to priorities profiling in cities. SDI will continue to track the progress and application of this new and emerging system for collecting slum profiles.

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE BENSON OSUMBA,CHAIR MUUNGANO WA WANAVIJIJI

 

 

 

 

“Benson Erick Osumba dedicated his life to work for the community as an Enumerator, Leader, Mentor Mediator and an Advisor. He had the gift of singling out the potential of people, and gave them the space to do their thing for Muungano wa Wanavijiji and International assignments on behalf of Slum Dwellers International (SDI). He believed and encouraged the people who had kept the spirit and faith to serve settlements under siege, until they had no choice but to believe in themselves.”

In handling his duties as the Chairperson of Muungano wa Wanavijiji, and the Kenyan SDI Alliance as a whole, Benson would diligently attend community and institutional meetings, the weekly Monday meeting. In appearance just a tedious reporting of the week’s progress of the federation and other official engagements with SDI, in reality it is an impeccable tool for accountability, transparency, and inclusive decision-making process. Such forums with Benson built exclusive platforms for debate, disagreement, acknowledgement of failures, and celebration of Muungano‘s breakthroughs in addressing the Urban Agenda.

In executing his work as the Leader of the Kenyan SDI Alliance, Benson was hands-off kind of a guy, though his value for work ethic was really admirable. He was gentle, calm and collected but with equal demeanor he was as firm and upright. Muungano’s objective was clear: advocacy for the poor. The strategy was simple — engages eviction proponents head-on based on the principle of law and justice, conduct enumerations, mapping and engage his people and stakeholders on the next course of action.

Benson took life in his stride and appreciated what life offered him. Alongside countless people from Muungano wa Wanavijiji, Civil Society, Global networks, community-based organizations, Benson traversed the country and the world, trying to conceptualize and support poor peoples’ initiatives.

His calm nature was coupled by a jovial tone, many thought it was a weakness but indeed it was a gift that enabled him negotiate with the Kenyan Government on the needs of the poor to be enjoined in the planning participatory process, it was above all an opportunity to make connections and sign MOUs with various stakeholders thus sustaining a resilient urban poor people. It is this people-building that was the real and lasting investment.

The need to consult and bring all on board was indeed strength for the federation and the support NGOs, Muungano Support Trust and Akiba Mashinani to function as a unit. His master of the principles of Communication and Mobilisation kept the federation on the loop, from the expansive Coastal towns of Mombasa, to the Waters of Kisumu, to the ranges of Rift valley, to the cool waters of Nairobi and the Echelons of the globe, Benson’s leadership was felt.

The 2004-2011 eviction spree by the lords of impunity in Kenya, government and private interests alike, was addressed by the civil society, Muungano wa Wanavijiji spearheading grassroots initiatives, to force government to stop forced evictions and address the issue on a bottom up approach.

And now the National Eviction guidelines that help caution the poor from arbitrary eviction has been realized. Secure tenure for the urban is also being realized. The federation is devoted  to conduct city profiles and mapping to support shack dwellers to advocate for land title in areas such as Kilifi( Mibuyu Saba), Thika (Kiandutu) just to name but a few.

Despite dejection in the face of the movement, Benson was always remained optimistic.

In reflecting on Benson’s life and work, Jockin Arputhum shared the following: 

“I remember Benson sometime back when I came to Kenya, and he told me of how he has constituted a federation leadership structure. I was surprised to find that majority of the men had taken up leadership. That is when I beseeched him to incorporate more women in leadership, for this will help strengthen the Kenyan federation. This he did, and a number of women are now sitting on the National Executive Council.

 I called Benson a number of times, to spend time with me in India; we planned on a number of issues regarding the federation and key community projects. We thank God for giving us Benson, though for a short time, he was able to do a lot for the Kenyan Federation and the SDI global network.

Benson has left behind a young family and I call upon the Kenyan Alliance to come together and set up a trust fund for his children that would help support his family. SDI will help support this initiative. I pray that we continue with the spirit and hope that Benson built over time.

We at SDI will honor Benson’s immense contribution and dedication by replicating his ideas and  work throughout the slums in our global network. 

Other local and global SDI affiliates and friends who paid tribute to our departed leader are;

It is with deep sorrow that we wish to inform you the passing away of

Benson Osumba, the National chairman of Muungano wa Wanavijiji. Benson left us this morning after a short illness bravely borne.

As we celebrate his life today, we would like to acknowledge the role he has played in placing the urban poor agenda at the center of

development in Kenya. He courageously responded to settlements faced with forced evictions with a resolve to end this kind of injustice in

Kenya and other countries.

The struggle continues and his vision for a safe city for all,

especially the poor, lives on!!

Irene Karanja-Muungano Support Trust, Kenya

I am so saddened by your news, but thank you for sharing it.

May Benson rest in peace and his life’s dedication to the urban poor be an inspiration to us all.

Peace,

Elizabeth McKeon

Benson was a uniting figure to all. He leaves at a time when Muungano and civil society need more to forge the agenda for inclusive development.

God rest him in peace

Peter Ngau, University of Nairobi

Muugano family,

I join the rest to condole with Benson’s family and friends. Indeed he has left a lot of unfinished endeavours to be completed by the rest of us.

May He rest in peace!

Stephen Gichohi- Forum Syd

I have lost a friend a brother and s great mentor, apart from teaching me how to work with the community he tought me life skills. He gave me opportunity and exposed me to the world. He fought selflessly for all, he spend all of his valuable time sacrificing to the poor in kind and cash. He was a mediator in all crisis and an icon of unity in every conflict. He was a keen listener and non-judgmental even though circumstances warranted the same. This afternoon am laying u at the mortuary in the cold cupboard believing that u might wake up and even great us again. Truely am not in terms with your death. No Ben you are still alive.

Erickson Sunday, Federation Leader, Kenya

It’s really hard to take it.my condolence to the family, Muungano, Must, AMT,SDI and friends. We will see you again Ben.it has been a struggle for the voiceless and poor to access the basic needs for all those years. It’s the reason why our generation is enjoying some of the fruits. Rest in peace.

Iscah Jemutai, MuST Field Officer, Kenya

My thoughts and prayers of strength to the whole SDI family, Muungano Federation and Benson’s family in particular. May his soul rest in peace as his loving memory and spirit continue to guide our activism.

Paula Assubiji, Cape Town

When I led a project to donate foodstuffs and clothes in Mukuru slums, he helped me organize the process and even sat to my right on the day of the event as Gitau sat to my left. Rest in Peace Osumba, you helped me put together a noble cause. Rest In Peace brother.

Boni Manyala, Communication Consultant, Kenya

I will remember Benson for his charisma and forethought.

Chilungamo Hunga, Malawi 

I am so heartbroken to hear of Benson’s passing. He was such a nice guy who had a smile for everyone he met. We will miss the Professor every day.

Louise Cobbett, Bethesda

Rest in perfect peace Chairman. May the good Lord grant you a perfect rest in his bosom. My deepest condolences to the family and the Kenyan Federation at large.

Mensah Owusu, People’s Dialogue, Ghana

May his soul rest in peace.we loved chairman but God loved you more.praying for peace and strength for all Muungano Federation members during this times of mourning.

Edwin Simiyu, MuST, Kenya

What sad news…it is with heavy heart that we in Ghana received the news that Benson Eric Osumba is gone to his maker. We pray that Benson will have peaceful rest.Ben will be remembered throughout the SDI afiliates especially Ghana. Chairman, rest in peace. Our heartfelt condolence to SDI,MuST,Akiba Mashinani, Kenya federation west/east Africa hub and SDI board. Chairman, you will forever be remembered….

Kojo Anane, Ghana

My Sincere condolencs to the family of our Muungano Wa Wanavijiji, Kenyan Alliance. Slum Shack / Slum Dwellers International Kenyan chapter-National Chairman.Osumba Benson Erick..He was a strong leader with a desire to change the lives of Slum dwellers…this info greats me with shock…RIP Chair

Benard Nyadida, Muungano Youth Federation, Kenya

KENSUP: Inside the Ministry—On Site in Kibera

Courtesy of the nairobistudio.blogspot.com

Kibera Decanting Site

The Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme (KENSUP) is a poverty alleviating Programme, aimed at addressing the challenge of housing affecting the majority of the urban population who live in informal people settlements.

On 15th February 2003, the Government of Kenya and the UN-HABITAT entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to upgrade slums and informal settlements in Kenya starting with selected slums within the administrative boundaries of Nairobi, Mavoko, Mombasa and Kisumu.

The Programme is aimed at improving the lives of people living and working in the informal settlements in all urban areas of Kenya and to contribute to poverty reduction and fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals, specifically Goal No 7 target 11- of improving the lives of 100 million slum dwellers by the year 2020.

The implementation of the KENSUP broadly falls under three key institutions namely; the Government, Local Authorities now County Authorities; and United Nations Human Settlement Programme- UN-HABITAT. The Programme is coordinated through the following institutions:

Inter-Agency Steering Committee (IASC): IASC is the supreme Programme organ composed mainly of Accounting Officers of Key relevant Ministries, Local authorities, UN-HABITAT and Development Partners. The IASC set for approval of policy decisions, giving policy direction and reporting to the Head of State as the patron to KENSUP. This brings KENSUP to the centre of national decision-making and provides opportunity for fundraising.

The ministries involved are:

• Housing
• Office of the President (Provincial Administration)
• Lands
• Local Government
• Roads and Public Works
• Finance and Planning
• Ministry of Trade and Industry
• Health
• Water and Irrigation
• Ministry of Information & Communication

In January 2013, The Nairobi Studio team comprising of The University of Nairobi Planning School, university of California Berkeley, Akiba Mashinani Trust, Muungano Support Trust visited the KENSUP Coordinating office under the Ministry of Housing department of Slum upgrading.

“My grandmother never went to school, but she was a wise woman,” Charles Sikuku said as he poured some hot water into his teacup. “She would ask me all the time: Why do people do what they do? Why do they go to work? Why do they do this? Why do they do that? But at the end of the day, she knew exactly why.” He looked up from his cup. “It’s all because of the stomach!” The director of Slum Upgrading at the Ministry of Housing laughed out loudly and took a sip of his tea. We all joined in.

Not only because of this anecdote did the 17^th of January turn out to be one of the most memorable days of the Nairobi studio trip in January 2013 for me. It was also because after having visited the permanent decanting site for temporary relocation on the edge of Kibera two years ago and having read and heard advantages and shortcomings of the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme (KENSUP) in quite some length, I finally saw the end product: the permanent relocation site for over 1,000 households in Soweto East A.

Nairobi Studio team at the KENSUP/Slum Upgrading offices.

In our morning meeting at the Ministry of Housing, Mr. Sikuku provided a comprehensive overview of KENSUP and its relationship to the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP). While KISIP was a project with a limited life time, KENSUP would continue to exist “for quite some time,” he said. In line with the Millennium Development Goals, specifically Number 7 target 11 (improving the lives of 100 million slum dwellers by 2020) and conceived by two partners—UN-HABITAT and the Kenyan government—KENSUP is the result of a meeting between the then President of Kenya and the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT in November 2000. Allegedly, the Executive Director offered to spearhead a Kenyan slum upgrading program—starting with its largest slum: Kibera. The grant agreements was signed in July 2002 and a Memorandum of Understanding, put into place on the 15^th of February 2003, laid down responsibilities to upgrade informal settlements in Nairobi, Mavoko, Mombasa and Kisumu.

Mr. Charles Sikuku explains the connection between KENSUP and KISIP

According to Mr. Sikuku, the government of Kenya “must lead as an example” on the topic of slum upgrading. It is for that reason that the president himself acts as the patron of this particular program. The realization that slum upgrading was an essential government responsibility had been reached over time, as reflected in the increasing amounts of funding the government allocated towards slum upgrading over time. From a mere 1 million shillings following Independence, to 5 million in the 1990s, then 20 million, then 300 million. “Now, it is billions,” Sikuku announced proudly.

The decanting site, in fact, can be seen as KENSUP’s go to example. Soweto East Zone A was the largest zone within the Kibera village Soweto East. The area accounts for 37% of the houses in Soweto East, home to 19,000 residents.

Initially, Soweto East Zone A residents were supposed to temporarily relocate to flats in Athi River. The problem was that Athi River was 23 kilometers away from Kibera—a tragedy to local social and economic networks. After an intervention by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the temporary relocation site was shifted to Lang’ata, southwest of Kibera. The first phase in the Soweto Kibera pilot began in September 2009 with 5,000 relocated residents. Today, the 632 three-room units—each at 50 square meters including a kitchen, a toilet, a shower and a small veranda for laundry washing and drying—in 17 five-story buildings hold around 1,800 households—about one household per room. Depending on the source, a room goes for between 500 and 1,000 Shillings a month, a high price that some Soweto East tenants refused to pay. For construction of the permanent relocation site, they were moved to Zones B, C or D of Soweto East.

 

View from a veranda of one of the units at the decanting site

As we entered the complex, I immediately noticed a difference to the last time I had visited: no informal shops. While ground-floor balconies were previously used to continue running small informal markets, they no longer exist. One of our Kenyan partners had told me about the ban of informal trade within the site. She had called it problematic.

Informal Shop operated out of Decanting Site balcony, December 2010

 

The same balcony (on left) without informal shop, January 2013

Of course, the decanting site project has not been without its challenges, especially with informality. One of the problems the Ministry of Housing has encountered is illegal sub-rentals. “People in slums are different—just give them something good and they’ll sell it,” one of our guides at the decanting site said, as we surrounded him to listen. To avoid this trend, residents are now requested to provide documentation to prove whether they are indeed family members who are temporary sub-letting a room or part of a room from the official decanting site tenants.

Water delivery appeared problematic as well. As we listened to our guide by the administrative buildings, long lines of people equipped with empty water canisters were waiting close-by. When I asked our guide about the waiting people, he said that the main water pipe leading to the decanting site and the entire neighborhood had had a leakage problem for the past few months. The pressure was simply not strong enough to pump the water directly to the tenants’ apartments.

The decanting site has also been ripe with controversies, reported in the local press, surrounding eviction of families who could no longer afford the rent or others who had illegally been brewing chang’aa inside their houses. Amnesty International as well as UN-HABITAT in 2009 released documents that clearly called into question the process of relocation, the level of affordability and the quality of housing.

Finally, there is, of course, the eternal dilemma of ownership. According to a survey conducted by UN-HABITAT, a significant number of Soweto East A residents would have preferred to continue a rental arrangement instead of owning it. Urban residency is often regarded as transitional rather than permanent.

Yet, the permanent relocation site with a permanent ownership structure is well on its way. Walking around the extremely familiar construction site, blue helmets protect us—it is clear that this is an occasion of limited access. We are even allowed into the room where maps, plans and time schedules spread across the walls.

The buildings are, indeed, nearly identical to those at the Lang’ata decanting site. Same materials. Five stories. One major difference: Instead of the exclusive 3-room units, the Soweto East relocation site offers different typologies: 1, 2 and 3-room apartments. The idea is that smaller units might be more affordable. It remains to be seen. Construction began in 2011 and is expected to be completed in 2014.