About Kibera slums
The Nubian term (kibra) came about because colonialist identified the place as an army camp for the retired African Army Officers 80% of whom were Nubians. These were soldiers who served in the World War I. This area was far from Nairobi town.
Today, Kibera is now not only a home for Nubians but also to many other ethnic groups from all parts of the country. The European settlers grabbed the lands from most native people who were staying in the Kenya highlands and this facilitated rural-urban migration by people who lived in these areas.
Kibera is now a home to people from almost all communities in Kenya. These include the Luo, Kikuyu, Luhyas, Boranas, Somalis, Maasais, Kambas, Taitas Kalenjins etc. Kibera also habours refugees from the neighbouring countries especially from the Great Lakes regions, Somali and Sudan. Kenya has since been a peace island in Africa while neighbouring countries have suffered from insecurity caused by wars (internal conflicts).
Kibera is composed of eleven villages, namely: Kianda, Soweto, Raila, Gatwekera, Kambi Muru, Makina, Kichinjio,Laini saba, Lindi, Kisumu Ndogo and Silanga.
By independence, Nairobi’s population was only about 300,000, and now it is a bout ten (10) times this. Kenya got its independence in 1963, barely 45 years ago from today. This means the population growth rate is rapid and is poised to increase by more than twofold in the next ten years.
Kibera has become the largest slums in Africa south of Sahara.
1. Rural-Urban Migration;
2. Improved and access to medical facility.
1. Rural-Urban Migration
There has been tendency of a large number of people moving from rural to urban areas. This number has been more inclined to the capital city (Nairobi) than any other urban areas. Factors contributing to this are:-
i. Population pressure in the rural areas: with the increased population in rural areas, there is tendency of people moving to urban areas. People may not be able to get enough land for agricultural activities as they are divided in small patches. Poor rains caused by clearance of water catchments areas have not made it possible for agricultural activities.
ii. Internal conflicts: many people run away from the internal conflicts by their fellow tribesmen. They easily find landing places in urban area.
iii. Greener pasture: There are no jobs in rural areas. Industries and administrative headquarters are located in urban centres. School leavers in rural areas have no otherwise but to try their luck to get employment opportunities in the urban areas. Such people find their way in the slums.
iv. Lack of social amenities in rural areas: improved social amenities in urban areas usually attract people living in rural areas so as to lead good town life.
2. Improved and access to medical facilities
Improved medical facilities in urban areas have checked the child mortality rate. The sick are able to seek medical attention at their proximity.
Those who are self employed are engaged in small businesses like sale of vegetables, charcoals, second hand clothes sweets etc. Many youth and women form the majority who are unemployed.
There are others who have nothing at all, who can even stay for a day or two without eating anything. Some are involved in casual work in order to get daily bread. Most women are working as housemaids in the neighbouring estates of the high class people.
People here cannot access public hospitals because of inability to meet medical expenses. Funerals usually take between one month to two months before burial. This is because most burials take place in the rural areas as per the customary beliefs but it takes time before the cost is meet through fundraising because people are poor.
The level of illiteracy is high. However, majority has acquired education ranging between class 8 and Form four. Out of this, about 60% of slum dwellers are unemployed.
There are any with limited learning opportunities. The area boasts of only three government primary schools (Olympic, Ayany and Old Kibera) and 3 government secondary schools. Others are informal schools with few or no trained teachers.
The area lacks water and sanitation services. The top diseases are malaria, diarrhoea, cholera and TB.
Kibera is a heterogeneous society. Nearly all major tribes of Kenya are represented. There are variations in the concentration of certain ethnic groups in the area.
Among the Nubian community, the majority are practising Islamic faith. Many mosques are scattered in the area, especially where these Nubians live.
Christianity is the most widely practised in Kibera. There exist such denominations as Catholic, Seventh Day Adventists, Anglican and many other Pentecostal churches.
Lack of social amenities such as social halls, stadium and recreational facilities make the residents look for alternatives during their free time. Some resort to taking local liquor (busaa), video shows, open entertainment groups etc.
Many medical clinics privately owned scattered through the slums. They are manned by unskilled personnel. Cases of emergencies are difficult to handle as no ambulance can penetrate the slums.
Kibera is in Langata constituency. This is one of the constituencies in Nairobi that boasts of a big number of voters. It is one constituency whose constituents have been in the frontline in the advocacy for change. It is believed that people’s low standards of living here make them think that a new government in place would change their lifestyle.
It is the constituency represented by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga. The violence that broke out after the elections was a manifest that the people living here needed a change. They believed they were neglected and the best they could make the world know this was by actions such as derailing the railway lines for several metres.
Post election violence came with its own effects; many people were displaced, there was wanton destruction of property and no business could go on at the time. Few businesses which were in place were destroyed, making life more unbearable to the already poor slum dwellers.