City's slums sanitation upgrade bid launched

Africa Cities Research Consortium City Manager Jack Makay (right), SDI-Kenya Researcher Jane Njoroge (left) and Akiba Mashinani Trust Product Development and Innovation Lead Evans Otibino during the Food Security and Slum Sanitation at New Stanley hotel in Nairobi on October 16, 2024. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

An initiative to improve sanitation and living conditions in informal settlements of Mathare and Mukuru has been unveiled.

The initiative under the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) four action research projects, will see local partners implement interventions to transform key aspects of urban life, particularly in marginalised areas.

“The projects seek to use research to bring together communities, urban professionals, and politicians to co-produce knowledge that helps tackle complex development challenges and create a more inclusive city. Through action research, we seek to provide actionable recommendations on water and sanitation in Mukuru and waste management in Mathare,” said Dr Jerry Okal, research update lead, ACRC during the launch in Nairobi.

In Mathare, the initiative advocates a holistic waste management system to improve hygiene in one of Nairobi’s densely populated slums.

ACRC noted challenges such as uncoordinated waste management and insufficient resources have persisted. The project, championed by Slum Dwellers International – Kenya (SDI-Kenya), focuses on providing around-the-clock access to solid waste disposal, expanding sewerage services for residents, and creating public spaces that are both functional and safe.

This, seeks to ensure that waste is managed in a way that is both effective and sustainable, addressing the root causes of poor sanitation that have long plagued the settlement.

According to ACRC, the goal is to not only improve environmental health but also to provide a cleaner, more dignified living environment for residents.

In Mukuru, ACRC’s focus on water and sanitation is being driven by Akiba Mashinani Trust (AMT). The project aims to address longstanding issues with water access, affordability, and governance.

Dr Okal said residents of Mukuru often face erratic water supply and unreliable sanitation services, which complicates their everyday lives and poses significant health risks.

“Mukuru has a household population of over 100,000, with a total of approximately 400,000 residents. One of the most pressing challenges here is access to basic services. For example, only 1 per cent of Mukuru’s residents have access to private, in-home toilets, while an average of 547 households share a single public toilet. Pit latrines, the most common type of toilet, are often poorly maintained, rarely emptied, and tend to overflow during the rainy season. Waste from these latrines is frequently discharged directly into the Ngong River, creating significant environmental and health hazards,” he added.

He said lack of privacy, hygiene, and proper waste treatment makes inadequate toilets a serious health threat,especially for women and girls.

The intervention in Mukuru involves mobilising the community and forming a reform coalition of various stakeholders, including local institutions and residents.

The coalition will work towards better management and oversight of water and sanitation services, using comprehensive data analysis to identify targeted improvements.

The initiative also aims to foster better collaboration between community members and service providers, making it easier for residents to access the services they need.