Climate Change Conference At The Multemedia University

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Sande Wycliffe

The national Youth Conference on Climate Change that began on the 2nd November 2011 at the Multimedia University started with registration of participants as they were checking in ready to go.
I came in at about 10am the 2nd day feeling abit confused where to put my luggage but thanks for good communication from one of our team leaders who got me soughted pap! I had only settled for a few minutes when the time keeper reminded us that it was time for our tea break. There was a deep sigh of relieve for i was very angry and really waiting for that moment. After we had taken our breakfast we proceeded to the conference hall, everything was calm but things began getting big and better when it was time to get insights from the panelists as well as the audience. First we had the 2 panelists presenting about climate change, which was applauded by all to be as presentations well done; why should we care about climate change? Can we make a difference? Are we ready? We need to be proactive in dealing with issues that concern our environment so that we can reduce the effects of climate change, here are some of the things YOU can do; replace your lighting system with energy saving bulbs, drive less or use public transport, try as much as you can to recycle at least half of what you use at home, use less hot water, avoid products with a lot of packaging and above all be part of the solution and not the problem. From what attendants gathered, it was crystal clear that if we can be able to do the above and even more, if we could share information, talk about and against climate change with our fellow youth and initiate projects that seek to save our biodiversity, we will be well placed in reducing co2 emission by a huge percentage. Time is now! Let’s act then for we have faith in our brothers and sisters devoted to work together to this course.
During the question and answer time, questions focusing on pertinent issues as regards climate change were raised and in their responses the panelists stressed on the need to work together to help rally our troops during policy making so that we can have good policies (practical ones) on renewable energy sources, plastic bags menace among other related fields even as we seek alternative ways of reducing/combating climate change that is/has been the topic world over attracting different views and position of countries.
In the end I learnt that media is sometimes to blame e.g a couple of months ago, farmers from the Rift wanted to sue the Metrological department for giving them false information about when to expect rains. This was entirely ballooned up by the media for, from what the evening presenter shared, they reported from a point of no information, no research had been carried out thus it is the one to blame.
We therefore need;
• Media houses that can balance its programs like giving climate change issues airplay.
• We have to develop an interest in writing and reading, give your opinion and share the climate change stories with the world. We are not getting the African stories taught and heard. We are not getting good contend on Climate change from the media but we can work towards generating the content.
Just before we were to rap-up the business for the day, we had to celebrate a birthday for one of us; Hellen from Norway. The Luyhans in the house were invited to sing and dance for her after which we had song from her fellow Norwegians that I enjoyed listening to but never understood what it meant but to top it all up, there was this good Kenyan friend of mine in this Norwegian team claiming that he is also a from Norway (half-cast per say) hahahaaa! I must say he really made some to at least afford to put a smile on their faces.
I will leave you with this “We came in Nairobi on our bicycles, (cyclists for environment/climate change) and everywhere we were the media people were following us, they were talking to us and I personally had a chance to be interviewed live by them?” one of the cyclists recounting his fast experience with the Media”. It is indeed true that climate change can present us with lots of opportunities. ACT. The Ymca team on board will keep you posted.

Developments in Kibera.

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Lee Ibrahim

It all started with the Vision 2030 unveiling on 10 June 2008. Many of the Kenyans were curious if the nation could achieve the goals it had set when the President announced about the initiative. It has been a dream back then but now it was turning to be a reality as projects are being finished and unveiled to the public; an example is the Thika Road project which started earlier last year.
Back home in Kibera it was the Kibera Slum Upgrading program which many people were heard saying Kibera ni kubwa sana haitamalizwa kujengwa (Kibera is too big to be fully constructed). Which we are yet to see!

Laying the Drainage System.
In various parts of Kibera you will find big holes dug by the road side. These are drainage tranches which will help ease the drainage system in Kibera. Drainage has been a very key issue in the region for the area is full of small drainage streams which lead to the 3 rivers which pass through Kibera. These drainage streams are usually dirty and sometimes causes diseases to the residents.
The drainage systems which are about to be finished will really help Kibera in:
- Keeping a clean environment.
- Reduce the cases of water bone diseases
Mashimoni Road Construction.
The idea of the Government is to complete most of the roads by June 2013. This has seen road construction project brought forth also here in Kibera.

The southern bypass which is a big project in itself passes through Kibera and it will benefit Kiberians in one way or the other. Another Project is the Makina to Highrise road which will pass through Lindi and the DC to Highrise road which will pass through Mashimoni. These are some of the project to be constructed to achieve the Governments goals.
The Mashimoni road just kicked off after the completion of laying the drainage pipes. Some kiosk owners who were doing business by the road side had to move their kiosks or demolished their residents after the road was marked ready for constructions.
Youth Employment.
Many projects have started and this has seen youth from Kibera get employment. “This is where I get bread”, says Said who works with the road constructions in Kibera. Many youths from a certain region get to work on a project once it get to that particular place. It is usually hard to get people from a different place working in another region hence the employers pick youth according to the area or village.
We the people of Kibera hope to see the completion of the projects and which will help the people of Kibera. It will all go down to the next president to continue from where President Kibaki has left. Indeed the vote of the people Kibera will decide if the projects end in time or see what we have experienced in the past. The decision is in the people’s hands.

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.

Catalyzing Change, Igniting Potential

75 schools in Mathare Valley operate without government support, trained teachers, or funding. More than 18,000 children go to these schools every day. Schools in Mathare Valley and other marginalized areas are typically operated as low-cost community schools in order to serve children who would otherwise not have access to schooling. Despite a five-fold increase in the population of children in the last 30 years, no new schools have been built in Nairobi's slums during the same period. Community entrepreneurs responded to the demand for schooling by launching low-cost community schools. Although education quality is mixed, the majority of the community's families choose these schools because they typically outperform government schools and are perceived to be better school environments.

Yet, these schools face great challenges: 90% of teachers are largely untrained and do not have access to professional development opportunities in any school. Classrooms are overcrowded and lack learning materials - it is not uncommon to find teachers borrowing textbooks from students attending another school because schools do not have the ability to provide these essential resources. Existing principals frequently have inadequate training and meager resources at their disposal.
Dignit
In fact, just 20 of the 75 schools offer levels up to Standard 8, the completion year of primary school. If you were a child in Mathare, your chances of finishing basic education and sitting for the exam would be very low. But we aim to change this.

We recruit teachers, principals, and emerging community leaders into a 1-year fellowship program. In our leadership institute they are provided on-site support, professional development, technical assistance, and coaching. During the school vacation months, intensive training sessions are held on the campuses of various Nairobi universities with Dignitas Project instructors equipping fellows with the knowledge and skills necessary to transform schools from marginalized and disconnected institutions into high-performing centers that enable strong education outcomes for children. Fellows receive certificates from Dignitas Project at the completion of the program.

We are committed to proving our model...
One community at a time.

Program Overview:
We are addressing the critical need for strong local leadership and accountability by providing leadership training, professional development, and support to teachers and principals working in independent, community-based schools and emerging leaders within the community. Learn more here.

One of the largest informal settlements (slums) in East Africa and the oldest in Kenya.
On a former rock quarry that resembles a shallow bowl, 600,000 people live without running water, sewage systems, electricity, roads, or adequate housing.
Imagine the population of boston squeezed into a space 1/30 its size.
There are just 3 government schools.
1 in 3 people are HIV+ and just 1 in 10 have stable employment.

Most organizations do not have the capacity or willingness to work in Mathare. To most Kenyans, Mathare is a desperate place and few people understand or visit due to fear and misinformation.
More than 93 million children around the world are not attending school. Millions more spend eight or more years in schools without gaining the knowledge and critical life skills they need to succeed in life.

Dignitas Project is a non-profit organization focused on developing passionate, ethical, and results-driven school and community leaders in underserved communities around the world. We do this because we believe that educating children means that they will stand up, speak up, ask questions and become a powerful tool in overcoming poverty and building a nation.

This is where we choose to be.

Story Courtesy Of Dignitas Project

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The Mathare Valley slum

Mathare is a collection of slums in Nairobi, Kenya with a population of approximately 500,000 people;^[1] the population of Mathare Valley alone, the oldest of the slums that make up Mathare, is 180,000 people.^[2] Mathare is the home of football team Mathare United of the MYSA.^[3]

Gang violence

In 2006, Mathare was damaged by violence between rival gangs the Taliban (not to be confused with the Islamist group of the same name), a Luo group, and the Mungiki, a Kikuyu group.^[1] Brewers of an illegal alcoholic drink, chang'aa, asked the Taliban for help after the Mungiki tried to raise their taxes on the drink; since then, fighting between the two has led to the burning of hundreds of homes and at least 10 deaths.^[1] Police entered the slum on November 7, 2006, and the General service unit(They are the paramilitary) arrived a day later, but many residents who fled are still afraid to return.^[1]
On June 5, 2007, the Mungiki murdered two police officers in Mathare; the same night, police retaliated by killing 22 people and detaining around 100.^[4]
Following the controversial presidential elections that took place on December 27, 2007, gangs of Kikuyu and Luo youth engaged in violent fights and burned more than 100 homes.^[5]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Gettleman, Jeffrey (2006-11-10). "Chased by Gang Violence, Residents Flee Kenyan Slum". The New York Times (The New York Times Company).
^ "Mathare Valley, Nairobi". ghettoradio.omroep.nl. Ghetto Radio. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
^ "Mathare United". Mathare United Football Club. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
^ "Police in Kenya Kill 22 in Gun Battles Over Sect". The New York Times (Associated Press, republished by The New York Times Company). 2007-06-07.
^ Jeffrey Gettleman, "Disputed Vote Plunges Kenya Into Bloodshed", The New York Times, December 31, 2007.

External links

Kenya portal

Mathare Light Centre Mathare Light Centre is a nonsectarian human development organization. The main goal is to feed and educate children in Mathare.
Mathare Roots Mathare Roots is a community based organization established in 2006 by local youth ready to make a positive change.
Rebel film board Rebel film board is our non-profit organization, providing the way for youth in mathare slum to share their stories with the world through video and films.
OneLife Africa-This organization exists to identify and equip at-risk young people in Mathare slums
Mathare Valley Outreach
Mathare Youth Sports Association
Nairobi Slums School Projects Trust
The Mwelu Foundation - Grass-roots youth project centering on photography
Mathare leader working on establishing further social changes in Mathare
Mercy Care Centre
Made in the Streets
Mathare-Inn Photobook Fundraising project by photographer Claudio Allia with texts by Claudio Torres. Content Courtesy of Wikipedia
Right to Sanitation-Mathare

Mathare area DO joins in celebrating sanitation with residents

On 28 July 2010 United Nations General Assembly declared, “the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights.” Kenya being a member of UN I believe Mathare people are too.
Looking at the situation in Mathare, it is sometimes too much to bear for the residents. The government officials are overburden with situation due to lack of equipment and little investment by the local authorities. This has forced youth groups to organize themselves to bridge lack of resources by the government to address water, environment and sanitation challenges in the slum.
Today (11/5/2011), I was part of a team that saw the launching of new type of toilets by Plan Kenya through partnership with local groups such as Community Cleaning Services, Tunaweza Youth Group and MANYGRO from Mathare.
The event was attend by Plan representatives from Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Plan Australia and Kenya office among other countries.
It is now apparent to the resident that the right to clean water and adequate sanitation has to be led by the people and not by government officials. The joy exhibited by the residents during the launch was a demonstration of their determination to make it a reality and an enjoyable right.
Having access to clean water and sanitation is no-longer a matter of health but people appreciating their environment and respecting their surrounding.
The water, environment and sanitation is the next biggest employer in the slums. Nearly all toilets employ more than ten people per toilet. All water points are managed by people who ran them on daily basis. Tunaweza Youth Group in Mashimoni has been able to construct a bio toilet. Through this venture, they have a meeting hall and are in the process of harnessing gas to generate electricity and sell to the community.
The Map Mathare group has been mapping water and sanitation points to establish the real situation. It is through generating information that the community can engage either development partners and government top facilitate more development projects. Mathare team has managed to map nearly all the open drainage in small section. This will help identify points where there broken sewer and water pipes.
Plan Kenya and Plan Australia have managed to help the community achieve their potential to enjoy their to water and sanitation. – Simon Mathere valley
Water and Poor Drainage

Broken water pipe running across open drainage

Strolling in small paths between houses in Mathare Valley, one will notice exposed water pipes and most are always leaking. If you following the water pipes, you will again note that the pipe either runs over or below an open drainage with dirty water mixed with raw sewer! One does not need to be a scientist to know what would happen in case of disease outbreak. The improvement of proper water distribution and repairing the broken water pipes coupled with constructing good drainage system, is the key to fighting common illness in the slums. All NGOs working in the water sector are in a hurry to facilitate access to water in the slums forgetting about the safety and costs which might result because of not putting proper safety measures and structures. Access to clean water and proper sanitation is a right and it is only achieved when the targeted user access it safely. – Simon Mathare Valley
Waste Management

Waste field in Mathare North

Waste management has a become major problem in Mathare north and its environs. In the past Nairobi city council had the capacity and machinery to handle waste but due to curruption, proper waste management policies and proper resource management things are falling apart because waste is being dumped every were.
Ateku, project manager for a progressive development organization (CBO), says that in the year 1996 up to the 1999 they were handling a capacity of two to four tonnes of solid waste per day, but due to rapid population growth in the urban areas they are now handling a capacity 10 to 15 tonnes of waste per day. But due to ignorance from Nairobi city council and the Government who failed to assist them to secure funds and suitable places to dump, nowadays waste is being littered every where which in return has made mathare and its environ untidy and filthy both for children and grown ups living around.
George Wambua, children rights activist, says that most CBO’s working within mathare lack machinery in terms of tools, man power, vehicles which will help them transport waste to the government designated area which is about 40 kilometer from mathare north. In return it has led to a wider spread of waste being dumped everywhere and the talk of the day is that there is wider spread of cholera and asthma being transmitted to young children who have got no proper playing grounds, hence they end up playing with garbage leading to early death cases.
Our request to the Goverment, National and International NGO’S is that” waste is money ”if managed well. Most of the youths living within mathare north are idle and jobless, which in return has wider spread of crime and death of young people between the age of 12 to 18 years. Please help equip the local CBO’S around mathare north with machines so that they can improve their working standard and the environment.
- Javin Mathare Valley

Access to Shelter in Mathare
Having a comfortable shelter is dream to many slum dwellers. The business of accessing shelter had always been in the hands of elected leaders, village elders and local administration (sub-chief and chief) in Mathare Valley. In Mathare village 2, it was the village elders who would identify a space and collude with elected leaders and local administration to decide who to benefit.
One of the key requirements in the 1980s was availability of funds by the beneficiary to put up the structures. Failure to put up the structure on time would lead to the re-allocation to another ‘investors’. Since most of the people in Mathare could not afford to put up the structures, the community was invaded by ‘private developers’ who were mainly outsiders.
When allocating space to build houses elected leaders, village elders and local administration never considered leaving spaces for social amenities. One of the repercussions of not engaging community in development matters is that by 1995, community owned nursery schools in Mathare and Huruma were dished out churches that were pro-establishment.
By mid 80s, most structures were owned by absentee landlord and village elders and cronies of the local administration. This made it very difficult for tenants to make long term plans for the community.
However with time and opening up of democratic space in 90s, it led to the formation of human rights and social movements in Mathare Valley. These groups have been instrumental in engaging the elected leaders, village elders, local administration and other government agencies about their rights.
Currently any development being initiated in Mathare Valley, the community must be engaged. This has helped control illegal evictions. – Simon Mathare Valley
Water is life but in Mathare north there is none

Mathare north consists of four areas: 1,2,3,4 with a population of approximately 23,000 thousand.
As from last June there have been water scarcities in Mathare north and its environs due to a road upgrading project along Thika road. Since then the government has constructed extra roads to ease the jam of vehicles travelling on thika road, and along the way destroyed and ‘vandalized’ water pipes which are supplying water to the communities living in and around Mathare north area and its environs. Up to date there has been no communication or assistance made from the relevant ministries or from the Department of water and irrigation and Nairobi water company to assist people living in these areas. Cartels who are using handcarts to distribute water have taken advantage of the situation and are supplying water to the residents at a price of 70 shillings par jerrican (1 us dollar).
A lot of women and children have become victims of rape and other violente actions like muggings, some have also been killed, by people who have taken advantage of the situation to pray upon people walking on paths, and roads (sometimes at night) which lead to water points.
Most schools within Mathare north also have no water, which in return has led to a wider spread of water born diseases like cholera and typoid and other neusences like bad odor which emits from the school toilets.
Our request to the government and the donor community is: “We need boreholes to be drilled, we need more water reservoirs and water kiosks to be constructed so as to ease the water problem within Mathare north and its environs!”
- – Javin Mathare Valley

Slums: Upgrading People’s Livelihood

Main street in Mathare 4A

I like my sister very much. She is the only girl we have in the family amongst five boys. We had a heated debate about slum upgrading which people have already started saving for in Kosovo. She is part of leadership for savings scheme and also a structure owner. While the intention is good, my worries was about the real tenants, who pay rent but do not own any structure within the community. Are they going to benefit? I think no. Since all the land has been occupied within Kosovo and structure owners have taken over. She had a difficult time trying to convince me that the process is inclusive for the the structure owners and tenants; My question to her was, where will they get the extra land for tenants? Land is never exported or imported but rather it is the people who move to where there is land. She was not convincing despite her insistence that all will benefit.
After sometime, the topic changed to livelihood with the community. According to her and neighbour who joined in the discussion, the current economic activities in the slums should be catered for while designing any upgrading project. People withing the informal settlement are able to save on a daily basis because of their involvement in the informal trade.
In Mathare, most people are either selling within or working as casual labourers in the nearby neighhoods of Eastleigh, Town and Industrial area. It is this kind of informal trade that enable people to aspire f0r higher activities. Some of the economic activities currently taking place might not fit into the newly upgraded houses. It is important for planners to also factor in livelihood. It is through informal livelihood that people are able to save, service loans, feed their families and provide education to their children.
At the end of our discussion we were all in agreement that Slum Upgradineg is not all about upgrading houses but also upgrading people’s livelihood. – Simon Mathare Valley
Content Courtesy Of Mathare Valley
Korogocho is one of the largest slum neighbourhoods of Nairobi, Kenya. Home to 150,000 to 200,000 people pressed into 1.5 square kilometres, northeast of the city centre, Korogocho was founded as a shanty town on the then outskirts of the city.^[1]^[2] In 2009 it was estimated to be the fourth largest slum in Nairobi, after Kibera, Mathare Valley and Mukuru kwa Njenga.^[3] The name Korogocho is a Swahili term meaning crowded shoulder to shoulder.^[1]
Contents
Location
Located 11 kilometres northeast of the Nairobi city centre, Korogocho's 1-1.5 square kilometres were originally on government owned land which was a vacant outskirt when it was founded by rural migrants to the city in the 1960s. It borders one of Nairobi's main rubbish dumps, Dandora.^[4] The slum is a "Location" (a formal subdivision) of Kasarani division, Nairobi Province,^[2] and is divided into seven "villages": Highridge, Grogan, Ngomongo, Ngunyumu, Githaturu, Kisumu Ndogo/Nyayo and Korogocho.^[4]
As Korogocho expanded, it grew onto private land, and almost half its land is now owned privately.^[4]

Ethnicity
Korogocho residents come from more than thirty ethnic groups, although most are from the Kikuyu, Luo, and Luhya peoples.^[4]

Infrastructure
There is little formal infrastructure serving Korogocho's residents, and most housing was built by families living there, and is made of found or recycled materials. Despite this, many of the residents pay land rent for the right to live there. Others pay rent to those who have constructed their habitations.^[2] There is no central sewer system, piped fresh water, and crime rates are high.^[2] An informal council of elders and chieftaincy, like that found in much of Kenya, also provides land and housing for some widows and others in greater need.^[5] Small scale farming is commonly practiced, despite the crowded conditions.^[5] There is no system of street lighting, resulting in increased insecurity and the construction of special lighted safe areas by government and NGOs.^[6] There is an Kenyan Police station, along with the chieftaincy at the very centre of Korogocho village.^[4] Crime is endemic, and law enforcement in the shanty towns are poor. Organised crime groups are said to operate here. In 2004 the Zambian diplomat Osward Banda was murdered and his five year old son, tied to his dead father, was left in his car in a Korogocho street.^[7]

Healthcare
With poor infrastructure, few resources, overcrowding, and proximity to the dump, health in Korogocho is poor. Several organisations provide free clinics in the slum,^[4] while other organise HIV/AIDS prevention work. The area has been singled out by officials because of high illegal drug and alcohol abuse, and had an estimated 14% HIV infection rate in 2008.^[8] An education centre has been set up in Korogocho called the " Caretakers Orphans Education Centre" CEOC funded by charitable donations in the UK to help HIV orphaned children gain an education,food,and basic medical attention. http://thebusinessphone.com/the-caretakers-orphans-education-centre/

Development programmes
Slums, covering only 5% of Nairobi, provide homes for 2.5 million Kenyans, well over half the city's entire population.^[4] Several large Italian development projects are based in Korogocho, including those funded by Italian Government and World Bank debt swaps,^[3] and a coalition of Catholic Church charities, Bega Kwa Bega, founded in 1991 and based on an earlier project by the Italian Comboni Missionary society, begun in 1973.^[9]
The Government of Kenya has created a development body focused solely upon improving the lives of Korogocho residents, the Korogocho Slum Upgrading Programme (KSUP) .^[10]The KSUP is funded through the Italian Government as part of a debt swaps scheme and involves representatives from UNHabitat, local government and federal government. Local representation for the people of Korogocho was to be guaranteed through the establishment of a Koch Resident's Committee consisting of 6 residents from each of the 8 'villages' in Koch, totaling 48 people and headed by a Chairman (Peter Kinyanjui), Secretary (John Okello) and Treasurer (Nyaga, a former enforcer and gangster). Membership of the KRC is supposed to be through democratic election every two years. However, an election was due in November 2010 but the current members refused to stand down and have turned themselves into a Community Based Organization (CBO), unlawfully, since the money they control is not for their personal use.
Although the KRC was set up to be a representative body for Koch residents, the Committee has, over the last two years, turned into a corrupt organization headed by self-interested individuals who wield significant power because of the large amounts of money and resources they have access to.^[11]
Korogocho came to popular attention in some parts of the west following the marketing of several export based craft and clothing companies which were founded there,^[12]^[13] while the 2007 Seventh World Social Forum ended its Nairobi summit with a half marathon which was begun, symbolically, in Korogocho slum.^[14]

Political unrest
Korogocho was one of the sites of the 2007-2008 unrest over the disputed presidency of Kenya. At least fifteen men died in one incident at the end of 2007,^[15]^[16] when ethnic and political divisions resulted in rioting and battles with the police.^[17]

Market
This is an informal market not licensed by Nairobi city council. It specialises in selling fresh food produces and also new and second hand clothes. It operates from all the days with no official hours. It is a bit disorganised in terms of the arrangements but people trade within the constrains of the disorderliness. It is located adjacent to Korogocho slums opposite Dandora estate.^{[citation needed]}

References
1. ^ ^a ^b Korogocho. BEGA KWA BEGA Development project. Accessed 2009-06-02
2. ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Background. Korogocho Slum Upgrading Programme (KSUP). Government of Kenya. 15 January 2009.
3. ^ ^a ^b Kenya-Italy swap benefits Korogocho slums. Millicent Muthoni, The Standard. 15 January 2009.
4. ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g PRESENTATION OF KOROGOCHO SLUM. Korogocho.org, Comboni Missionaries. 8 January 2008.
5. ^ ^a ^b City farmers of Kenya. Diana Lee-Smith, peoplendplant.net/Mazingira Institute. 19 Oct 2000
6. ^ Nairobi's Lady of the lamp. The Independent (London) 16 June 2007.
7. ^ Gunmen bind boy to his father's bloody body. Reuters. November 25, 2004.
8. ^ KENYA: Selling beer and HIV education in Nairobi's slums. IRIN. 05 Nov 2008
9. ^ GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BEGA KWA BEGA. BEGA KWA BEGA Development project. Accessed 2009-06-02
10. ^ KSUP.org. Korogocho Slum Upgrading Programme (KSUP). Government of Kenya. 15 January 2009.
11. ^ Other KRC members include Hawa Dima
12. ^ Kenyan Company Launches a Line of Environment-Friendly Footwear. CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Aired August 26, 2001
13. ^ Pulling Up by Their Sandal Straps. Jennifer Friedlin, Wired Magazine. 06.26.2003
14. ^ What did we achieve? Another world is possible. The World Social Forum is a small part of the road to it. Sasha Simic, the Guardian (London) 27 January 2007.
15. ^ Scores dead as Kenya erupts post result. Reuters Jan 01, 2008
16. ^ Kenya death toll seen at 250. Helen Nyambura-Mwaura and Daniel Wallis, Reuters. 1 January 2008.
17. ^ Kenya: Citizens Wanted Change But Were Short-Changed. The Weekly Observer (Kampala), Martyn Drakard. 10 January 2008
External links

Kenya portal
'People United for a New Korogocho' – Korogocho (KENYA). UN-HABITAT (2006). Accessed 2009-06-02.
Korogocho, Kenya. Intrepid Arts (UK). Accessed 2009-06-02.
Korogocho, Nairobi. Nikolaj Nielsen. Monthly Review. 29 October 2005.
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