Urban CLTS Project in Mathare Slums, Nairobi - Kenya By Rose Nyawira
Project Rationale Based on current statistics and trends, it is clear that a larger majority of Kenyan pop. will live in urban areas. Generally, the sanitation situation in the poor peri- urban settings in Africa, Kenya included, is extremely bad. Most people in the informal settlements still defecate in the open. Those with a toilet do not see the need of having a clean and hygienic toilet.
Pop. Estimates and Spread According to the Kenya Population Census of 2010: Pop. of Kenya was estimated at 38 million. 12 million lived in urban areas. 60% of the urban pop. (12million) lived in low income, informal settlements.
Mathare 10 Urban CLTS Project o Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya with a population of about 4 million. o Out of this, about 60% (2.4 million) live in informal settlements (slums) like Kibera and Mathare. o With funding support from NLNO and AusAID, Plan Kenya partnered with Community Cleaning Services to pilot UCLTS in Mathare slums. o Project pilot comprises 4No. villages (Thayu, Mashimoni, Nyangau and Gumba) all with about 15,000 people.
Mathare 10 Urban CLTS Project Community Cleaning Services: A registered Kenyan company that works with entrepreneurial teams across Nairobi’s low-income communities to provide significantly cleaner, more hygienic and more “usable” toilets at a cost each client can afford (usually less than $0.75 per family per week, the same cost as a soda).
Project Implementation process Training of 30 selected community leaders Community triggering exercise. Post-triggering follow-up. Re-triggering Targeted triggering Reflection on the whole process Consensus building among all stakeholders Explore possible solution options with the community
The problem is complex
Problem scope Poor maintenance of existing Toilets Poor disposal of drained shit Poor water connection Hand washing Flying Toilets Poor sanitation Infrastructure Corruption Lack of responsible citizenship Garbage collection & Management Open Defecation Open Sewer Sanitation situation
Urban CLTS strategy Community ACTION Creating one voice Mobilization
Achievements……., so far
Achievements…., so far Project area is headed for OD eradication, committees formed to monitor status. Demand for improved sanitation services as community members have taken a collective approach to it. MCTs (Mobile Cleaning Teams - mostly youth) provide professional cleaning services to churches, schools, restaurants, etc., thus generating income.
CCS teams offer cleaning services that greatly improves the sanitation of toilet facilities. Before Cleaning After Cleaning
Achievements…., so far Increased support from key stakeholders (tenants, structure owners, local administration, politicians, line ministry depts., etc) Installation of 2 Sanergy model toilets, at a cost of $200 and $0.03 per use) – which has created demand for more. Local administration in a stakeholders’ forum on sanitation in Mathare Slums
Achievements…., so far Demolition of the helicopter toilet in Mathare by the community members after realizing that it was a health hazard in the community. Using GIS analyzed data to show the situation as it is with a view to enlisting support and commitment from key stakeholders for sanitation improvement. The demolished so called “Helicopter Toilet” draining into a river
Achievements…., so far Commissioning of a new sanergy toilet by the District Officer - Mathare
Achievements…., so far Mapping Points Of Interest in Mathare Maps Include OD areas, latrines (functional/non- functional) + helicopter type!, water kiosks (legal and illegal connections, garbage collection points, open and/or clogged drainage systems, schools, health facilities, etc
Challenges 1. Population density Large numbers of people who can’t all be present at the triggering session Large numbers of passing visitors and the number of public latrines is insufficient 2. Life style There is a greater level of indifference and they lack a sense of community Many people do not know their neighbors hence they don’t understand each others background. Security especially of women in community toilets
Challenges 3. Land ownership Problems with tenants or people with no land tenure, unwilling to invest in latrines in property that isn’t theirs Security of tenure where land is not legitimized by the government. 4. Governance and Advocacy Stakeholders involvement and engagements. Influencing policy implementation and Creating a sanitation movement By laws and policy regulations that govern the plans in cities Linkages and collaboration between the government departments is not clear. Takes much longer and requires more human resource.
Way forward Production of a video documentary on our successes by KBC to help generate enthusiasm and passion among key stakeholders Initiate a provocative message campaign in Mathare to increase the “shit gossips”. Based on lessons learnt, expand project to cover other villages in the greater Mathare slums.
Thank you.