At SDI Kenya, we believe that the voices of those closest to the challenges of urban slum living are essential to shaping inclusive cities. This blog serves as a platform where staff, community members, and partners collaborate to share diverse perspectives — covering pressing issues, showcasing transformative initiatives, and highlighting innovative research that drives our mission.
From grassroots-led solutions to climate resilience to the power of data in advocacy, our posts reflect the lived experiences, expertise, and collective efforts shaping a brighter future for Kenya’s urban communities. Dive in to explore the stories that inspire action and amplify the voices of change-makers on the ground.
In Naivasha, the community-led KCC Safe Space Project, supported by Shack Dwellers International Kenya and Muungano wa Wanavijiji, will provide healthcare, sanitation, youth and women’s facilities, and flood-response support.
What happens when young people map their own communities? In Mathare, it means more than better data, it means new skills, new confidence, and new pathways into work. This story traces how community-led data is evolving into a tool not just for advocacy, but for livelihoods.
SDI Kenya and Muungano Wa Wanavijiji hosted youth leaders from seven African cities for the SDI Impact Innovation Initiative inception meeting, launching a bold program that equips young people with data, storytelling, and innovation skills to drive community-led solutions, create livelihoods, and transform informal settlements across Africa.
Tudor Moroto, an informal settlement in Mombasa located just 200 meters from the Indian Ocean, is home to over 8,300 residents navigating land insecurity, limited healthcare access, and climate-related risks such as flooding and rising temperatures. Despite these challenges, the community is actively organizing with SDI Kenya and Muungano wa Wanavijiji to advance tenure security, improve essential services, and establish a Community Resilience Hub. Their efforts reflect a strong commitment to building a safer, more dignified, and climate-resilient future.
As Muungano wa Wanavijiji celebrates 30 years, Njuguna James Gathiru’s journey highlights the power of unity, advocacy, and community action. From securing land and housing in Huruma to mentoring younger generations, his story reflects the movement’s enduring mission: empowering communities to claim their rights and build a dignified future.
In Naivasha, the community-led KCC Safe Space Project, supported by Shack Dwellers International Kenya and Muungano wa Wanavijiji, will provide healthcare, sanitation, youth and women’s facilities, and flood-response support.
Community Mappers is a women-led group of young single mothers in Kibera using savings and community-generated data to strengthen livelihoods, amplify women’s voices, and drive inclusive, climate-focused development from the ground up.
We are pleased to officially announce the appointment of the following distinguished professionals to the SDI Kenya Board of Trustees. Their collective expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence will strengthen our governance, strategic direction, and impact, as we continue advancing inclusive urban development and community-led solutions.
Redefining what settlement improvement means, we partner with communities to co-create innovative, inclusive solutions that enhance housing, infrastructure, and resilience, ensuring that development truly reflects the needs, voices, and aspirations of the people who live there.
As we mark #IDDRR2025, SDI Kenya urges a shift from reaction to prevention — from relief spending to resilience financing. Across Kenya’s informal settlements, communities are mapping risks, upgrading homes, and leading preparedness efforts. It’s time to fund resilience, not disasters, for safer, equitable cities
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