Launch of the Urban Tracs Project in Mathare
Community member Mathare, presenting on community projects
SDI Kenya launched the Urban TRACs (Transformative Research for Adaptation to the Climate Crisis in informal settlements) project on the 30th of April 2024 at Ghetto Foundation, Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi, bringing together key stakeholders, including government representatives, community leaders, researchers, civil society organisations, and international partners. Funded by FCDO through IDRC, the Urban TRACs project has been designed based on longstanding engagement with these actors.
In an increasingly urban world, the impacts of climate change will be concentrated among the most marginalised urban residents, particularly the one billion people living in informal settlements (IPCC 2022). How to increase resilience for the most marginalized urban residents in an equitable and inclusive manner will be the key focus of Urban TRACs, which is a research-informed action project.
Kenya's informal settlements are highly vulnerable to climate change, residents are grappling with more frequent and intense floods, extreme heat, water shortages, and declining environmental health. These challenges are layered on top of existing vulnerabilities linked to poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to essential services. The physical layout of informal settlements, characterized by dense, unplanned housing, poor drainage, and minimal green space, amplifies the impacts of climate shocks. These environmental risks are not distributed equally. Women, youth, and persons with disabilities are often disproportionately affected, yet their knowledge, leadership, and capacity to adapt remain underutilized.
Joseph Kimani, executive director of SDI Kenya, recognized the community’s growing prioritization of climate change. He emphasized the importance of youth involvement as community champions and reflected the deadly floods of April 2024, as evidence of climate-related crises.
Killion Nyamboga, program coordinator at SDI Kenya, highlighted SDI Kenya and Muungano’s ongoing work in enumeration, profiling, mapping, and risk assessment since 2021. He discussed the FLOCCA Project and ward-level adaptation plans implemented in Nakuru. He emphasized the integration of risk data into policy-making and community co-creation.
Urban TRACs is a collaborative project designed to support and strengthen grassroots climate adaptation efforts and is supported under the CLARE Programme.
CLARE is a flagship research programme on climate adaptation and resilience, funded mostly (about 90%) by UK Aid through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and co-funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. CLARE is bridging critical gaps between science and action by championing Southern leadership to enable socially inclusive and sustainable action to build resilience to climate change and natural hazards. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the UK government, IDRC, or its Board of Governors.
Also present during the launch were partners from Manuela Dimauro, Climate Adaptation and Resilience Research Lead, FCDO, and Mercy Ojoyii, Senior Program Specialist. The partners were officially welcomed to the Muungano family, the Muungano Wa Wanavijiji way, and they pledged to walk with the community in the implementation of the urban tracs project. “We all have a role to play in protecting nature, and it must be inclusive.” Mercy Ojoyii
Manuela Dimauro, Climate Adaptation and Resilience Research Lead, FCDO, Mercy Ojoyii, Senior Program Specialist, and Joyce Kigah, IDRC Muunganonized by the community
The Urban TRACs event was launched in Mathare to officially introduce the project and articulate its core objectives to the community members, setting the stage for its implementation.
Many communities are already responding in creative and practical ways. Local groups are planting trees, organizing clean-ups, and educating others about disaster preparedness. These efforts demonstrate deep-rooted resilience, but they often lack the technical support, visibility, and resources needed to scale up or influence formal urban planning and policy. Urban TRACs is a collaborative project that aims to support and strengthen these grassroots efforts by enabling communities to lead climate adaptation in their neighborhoods.
ED SDI Kenya, Joseph Kimani, and Manuela Dimauro, Climate Adaptation and Resilience Research Lead FCDO, at a field visit in Mathare.
The event emphasised the critical role of community participation in driving climate adaptation. It also served as a platform to discuss the integration of climate action into policy and explore sustainable financing mechanisms to support long-term impact.
Local leadership voices added urgency and clarity. Chief Peter Irungu of Mathare, just one week into office, emphasized: “Security is essential, but so is improving our rivers, our schools, and our hospitals. This is our chance to change Mathare and its climate.” Assistant Chief Geoffrey Lunge from Mabatini added: “Participation without information is not participation.” His message underscored the need for transparency and inclusion in every phase from planning to implementation.
Mercy, the sub-county environmental officer, echoed the call to action: “We are here to make Nairobi green. The data exists, now we must use it to support local actions.”
Leading academic institutions in Kenya were also in attendance, including representatives from the University of Nairobi (UoN), the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
Dr. Bessie, a lecturer at UoN and long-time supporter of Muungano wa Wanavijiji, introduced the Tuwe Pamoja project, Swahili for “let’s be together.” She explained that the project, also funded by CLARE, aims to strengthen the capacity of city actors to plan and implement climate-resilient, nature-based solutions that are locally driven, effective, and equitable for all urban residents. The project runs in informal settlements in Accra, Cape Town, Lusaka, and Nairobi from May 2024 to December 2026. Work is focused on three themes: nature-based solutions (NbS), climate risk, and intersectionality,” said Dr. Bessie.
The Urban TRACs launch in Mathare was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when communities lead. It brought together voices that are often excluded from climate conversations and made space for shared vision, learning, and action. From chiefs to youth leaders, academics to environmental officers, the message was clear: real change starts at the grassroots.
As Urban TRACs move forward in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Naivasha, it will build on this momentum, supporting local solutions, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that climate adaptation is inclusive, data-informed, and community-driven. The road ahead is long, but with commitment, collaboration, and trust in local knowledge, we take the first steps toward cities that are not only more resilient but also more just.
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