Informal settlement housing across Nairobi and Kenya more broadly is often characterized by poor quality structures: leaking roofs, rusted iron-sheet walls, makeshift doors, and unstable, sinking floors. These homes offer little protection against the city's harsh climatic extremes—sweltering heat during the day and biting cold at night made worse by the growing impacts of climate change. Their precarious locations, often on unsafe or contested land, combined with these physical vulnerabilities, make them uninhabitable and highly unresilient to shocks.
In response to these long-standing challenges, SDI Kenya and Muungano wa Wanavijiji, with support from the Skoll Foundation Fund, embarked on an initiative to improve living conditions within several informal settlements: Kahawa, Mathare (Kosovo, Kiamutisya, Mabatini, Madoya), Mukuru (Viwandani, Kayaba, Reuben), and Kibera.
The Skoll Foundation Fund was established to address such vulnerabilities by supporting community-driven solutions aimed at strengthening resilience and preparedness in informal settlements. Specifically, the fund sought to enable incremental housing improvements, helping residents reduce their exposure to risks and improve the safety, durability, and dignity of their homes.
To ensure the transparent and fair distribution of these resources, SDI Kenya and Muungano Wa Wanavijiji developed a clear selection process for beneficiaries. The response from the community was overwhelming over 150 applications were received, but due to budget constraints, only 17 beneficiaries were selected to receive support for their housing upgrades.
This ground breaking initiative is a reflection of SDI Kenya’s ongoing commitment to supporting the urban poor. It directly aligns with the organization's broader mission to secure a future where slum dwellers live in dignified, safe, and upgraded settlements, free from the constant threat of forced evictions. SDI Kenya's work prioritizes secure land tenure, universal access to essential services (such as water, sanitation, healthcare, and education), and community-driven improvements to housing and public amenities.
The Skoll Foundation’s support has greatly enhanced these efforts by providing targeted funding that empowers residents to actively improve their living conditions, laying the groundwork for long-term resilience.
Progress So Far
Housing improvements by the 17 selected beneficiaries are well underway. More than half have already procured construction materials and commenced upgrading their homes. Others are in the process of resolving administrative and logistical matters to facilitate smooth implementation.
SDI Kenya and Muungano wa Wanavijiji continue to closely monitor the progress, providing technical support and addressing emerging challenges to ensure the initiative’s success. Ongoing activities include:
· Documentation of housing upgrades;
· Tracking and evaluation of project outcomes;
· Community learning and exchange sessions to capture lessons and best practices.
These efforts not only demonstrate the fund’s impact but also offer critical insights for refining and scaling similar community-led housing models in other regions facing housing insecurity.
Stay tuned for the full report on our website, where we will share in-depth stories and outcomes from this transformative journey.
In her interview, Nicera Wanjiru shares the impactful stories of two young residents from Kibera informal settlement, Vivian Vushele and Charles Gicura, as they reflect on how the Covid-19 pandemic has transformed their lives. Both faced significant challenges: Vivian experienced her parents' separation, while Charles had to pivot from a career in hospitality due to the industry's collapse. Their narratives highlight the emotional and economic upheaval that many young people endured during this unprecedented time.
In this piece, Jacob Omondi, Jackline Waithaka, and Jane Wairutu discuss the profound impact of COVID-19 on youth in informal settlements like Mathare, Nairobi. The pandemic has exacerbated job losses and financial instability, particularly affecting those in the informal economic sector, where many young people rely on daily earnings from their businesses.
In Loitoktok, Kajiado County, a women’s group is transforming lives through resilience and innovation. With support from the Next Level Grant Facility under Voices for Just Climate Action, they’ve expanded urban farming and beekeeping, proving the power of collective action in climate adaptation and economic empowerment.
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