Nairobi's city's slums sanitation upgrade bid launched

An initiative aimed at improving sanitation and living conditions in Nairobi's informal settlements of Mathare and Mukuru has been launched.

Under the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC), the initiative is part of its four action research projects that rely on local partners to implement interventions that address key urban challenges, particularly for marginalised communities.

“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 for a holistic waste management system to improve hygiene in one of Nairobi’s densely populated informal settlements.

According to ACRC, despite efforts to improve conditions in the area, challenges such as uncoordinated waste management and insufficient resources have persisted.

The project, which will be championed by Slum Dwellers International – Kenya (SDI-Kenya) which is a local implementing partner, 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.

The Mukuru project, led by Akiba Mashinani Trust (AMT), targets improvements in water access, affordability, and governance.

ACRC states that the residents of Mukuru often face erratic water supply and unreliable sanitation services, which complicates their everyday lives and poses significant health risks.

Residents of Mukuru often face inconsistent water supply and inadequate sanitation services, which pose significant health risks.

Patrick Njoroge, the AMT program manager, said that only 1% of 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,” said Njoroge.

Njoroge said that the lack of privacy, hygiene, and proper waste treatment makes inadequate toilets a serious health threat, particularly 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.

According to ACRC, the initiatives go beyond sanitation, incorporating broader efforts like extending school feeding programs and improving land tenure security in Nairobi’s informal areas.

“The Dishi na County and other school feeding programs are extremely important programs to enhance child nutrition- however, Dishi na county does not cover children in private informal schools. These children are among the most vulnerable and this exclusion means that the vulnerability is worsened,” said Dr Stephen Mulupi, the head, of research implementation at LVCT Health.

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

However, ACRC notes that the sanitation and waste management projects stand out for their potential to significantly uplift the health and quality of life of residents in the communities.

By addressing systemic issues through community-driven approaches, ACRC and its partners aim to create sustainable models for urban reform.

The projects are part of a broader effort to reshape urban living conditions in Nairobi, with a focus on providing essential services that many residents in informal settlements currently lack.

According to ACRC as the city continues to grow, the challenges facing its informal settlements remain a significant concern.

Poor sanitation and inadequate waste management have direct consequences on public health, especially in areas like Mathare and Mukuru, where overcrowding worsens these issues.

ACRC’s action research projects represent an effort to find practical, community-oriented solutions to these persistent problems.

“We aim to work with various government agencies, including the county government, county assemblies, members of parliament and other key influencers, to co-produce and share research findings that can inform government policies and programming,” said Sue Mwanzia, the political settlement research lead, ACRC.