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Kibera residents speak highly of their former MP. A man they popularly refer to as Baba. Page 6

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CHANGE OF GUARD: New MP to fire the whole CDF management Commitee
After 20 years under Raila Odingas leadership Kibera is slowly waking up to a new style of leadership
By Peter Ombedha & Sylvia Nekesa
After 20 years under veteran politician Raila Odinga, Nairobis largest informal settlement is now waking up under a postRaila era of leadership. Apart from being granted their own constituencyKibrathe residents of Kibera will be represented in parliament by 35-year-old Kenneth Okoth a first time entrant in the rough stream of Kibera politics who won the fiercely contested seat with a landslide on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket. He defied a strong wave of his well-moneyed main rival Fred Amayo of the Federal Party to win with 39,689 votes at the final tally. Amayo managed 16,454 votes while little known Said Ibrahim of TNA managed 12,068. In an exclusive interview with the Ghetto Mirror just a day after he won the seat, Okoth says his strategy was to start campaigning early. My record in life is to never underestimate anybody. I dont underestimate myself and I dont underestimate anybody, he said. Anyone in Kibera who didnt think we would win was underestimating us, but we employed a strategy of starting our campaigns early. As soon as the constitution was passed, we knew that there was going to be a new constituency in Kibera. I started viewing myself as a new person, with new constituents, he said.

Ghetto Mirror
Real life stories from slums
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Page 7

Raila Odinga

Kenneth Okoth

Continued on page 6

How music, messages and art prevented violence

By Nicodemus Odalo & Sylvia Nekesa
Despite earlier concerns and predictions that there would be an outbreak of violence, all the informal settlements in Nairobi were peaceful during the election period. Even the delays and contestation of the presidential results that many thought will spark some protests or violence did no harm. Many people believe this was as a result of widespread peace campaign in the run up to the general election. It was a campaign that got the Government, Non-Governmental organisations and almost everyone in the slums get involved. In Kibera, the campaigns did not stop and even on voting day peace messages were still being passed on the voting queues. A sizeable number of people were spotted wearing clothes with peace messages. I have been spreading peace messages to my friends on Facebook and Twitter because to me peace is crucial, said 24-year- old Daniel Owino. I have also attended quite a number of peace seminars and I hope that even with a new president Kenya will remain the way it was and be peaceful, He said. Like Daniel, Imelda Akinyi also encouraged to promote peace by posting peace messages on social sites. Some of my friends commented negatively on whenever I posted a peace message by I kept on doing it and encouraged them to love each other as we have only one tribe, Kenya, she said. Daniel Onyangos message was equal right and justice. He argued, Even if there is peace, without equal rights and justice, hatred will still be there and this is a great recipe for violence. Jack Otieno is not registered on any of the social sites. The 21year-old used the offer by Safaricom mobile network enabling one to send up to 200 messages daily for ten shillings to spread peace. I tried as much as I can to send peace messages to all the contacts on my phone. In a day I could send the same message to over a hundred people. He said. Whenever I received a peace message from someone, I immediately forwarded it to as many people as I could. I believe the small effort I made helped in preventing violence from erupting in Kibera. He added. If the courts decide that Uhuru won fairly, I hope that he would be able to unite all the Kenyans as right now we are a deeply divided country. He should start by Kibera and Kisumu. This will promote harmony which is lacking in our country right now. He said. Just a day to election students from Olympic Primary School came out in large numbers and walked through the streets of Kibera Cntinued on page 5

TALKING POINT
This is truly a new Kenya. For the first time since the first multi- party elections in 1992 there was no bloodshed. A lot of people had predicted that there would be an outbreak of violence especially in the informal settlements when the results were announced but none came. The huge turnout of voters at 86%, the highest ever in any general election in the country showed how eager the electorate were to cast their votes. Our writers visited a number of polling centres at 3 a.m. on voting day hoping to catch the first people to arrive only to discover that hundreds had spent the night there waiting for the centres to open. This shows that people not only believed in the integrity of the IEBC but also wanted to participate in the historic election. This was the first election under the new constitution that also brought along new elective posts meant to bring leadership closer to the people. We would like to congratulate all those who won but the electorate ought to know that the real work of rebuilding our country has just begun. The slums have for a long time been marginalised by the City council. Obviously the people expect the new governor Evans Kidero to fulfil his promises of bringing essential social services closer to the people. The Jubilee Alliance which was announced winners of the presidential election also has to make land ownership a reality for the people of Kibera and other slums as promised by its presidential candidate. However this promises may just be another campaign song if the people do not rise up and hold the elected leaders to account.

Ghetto Mirror

MARCH 2013: ISSUE 5

We welcome letters on topical issues or the stories we publish and comments on theghettomirror@gmail.com or ghettomirror@shininghopeforcommunities.org. You can also drop them at our office at Gatwekera near PAG Church, Kibera.

The voters did their Its sad to see the way most Kenyans vote part, it is up to the leaders to work
should be for wananchi. Yet, we dont see this cycle were stuck in. We find it much easier to align ourselves with a political party. In the just concluded elections people voted along ethnic lines. Why it is Kenyans are so tied to voting along tribal lines? Besides the complex nature of Kenyas party system, the most prominent cause is tribalism. In the election, the front-runners were known to be leaders of their respective tribes. Voters elected whoever they felt would favour their people most. They believe theyre voting for their best interests, yet it is not always the case. For example, having the ever-coveted Parliamentary majority doesnt always mean your tribe will benefit the most. Ultimately, the wealthy benefit most, regardless of tribe. The second reason parties dictate voter behaviour is a general lack of awareness. People tend to vote with the masses, wanting to align themselves with the winner. The candidate who puts on the best show is perceived as the likely winner. If he looks tough and talks smooth hes won the voters. They dont see that he may be corrupt, dishonest, and dangerous for Kenya. With so many parties to research, most people dont have the time or resources to educate themselves enough. So they end up voting for the big parties, the ones that are famous. Unfortunately those are ones that have always been part of the government. They are not the ones we can trust to affect change. The third reason we see such party allegiance is the lack of employment. Unemployment makes people desperate for jobs.

Ramadhan Obiero

Quote of the month

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams
A publication of Shining Hope For Communities
Editor-in-Chief
Vincent Achuka Line editor John P. Okewa Graphic design Paul Owino

ts sad to see the way most Kenyans vote. Voting is our power. Its our most obvious opportunity to exercise democracy. Its the best chance we have to impact change. Yet, the system of elections in Kenya prevents wananchi from voting for their best interests. In the 2007 election, many people didnt focus on quality leadership. Instead they turned to voting for political parties. But in Kenya, there are too many parties, too many acronyms floating around, too many empty campaign promises. It creates confusion easily. Its far too difficult to research the candidates for every party, leaving many voters ignorant of the candidates. Those who are voted into office are same people who have already had a hand in government. Theyre voted in over and over again. As they become greedy with power they find ways to avoid accountability for the money and programs that

In the election, the front-runners were known to be leaders of their respective tribes. Voters elected whoever they felt would favour their people most.
It gives candidates the opportunity to take advantage of such desperation. By claiming he will create tons of new jobs, a candidate wins the unemployed populations votes. When you cannot feed your family and someone promises you the opportunity to work, why would you need to do any more research on him? That candidate will get a huge percentage of the votes without standing for anything but an empty campaign promise. So how do we move past this issue? How do we get people educated enough to use their votes wisely? Education and awareness have to start at the grassroots level. Today, most organizations see a large problem and try to create a equally

large Band-Aid solution. Many civic education initiatives are not community-driven, meaning that they are unable to create sustainable solutions. A common approach is for organizations to come into a community like Baba Dogo and tell citizens a few things so we feel informed, so we feel empowered. Yet, theres so much information lacking, which means that organization will need to return in the future. I would say more than half of slum residents have no idea how this new system of governance will work. Theres a need for community education, but a single colourful chart or forum, at the end of the day, leaves the community hanging, still in the dark about many things, and means that the organization needs to keep seeking more funds to come back and do more education in the future. The most sustainable solution involves local community education. We need grassroots movements to create awareness and unity. The big leaders will divide us, and big organizations often do the same by privileging some community members over others and creating competition over the resources they provide. We need to take control over what happens to our community.

The writer is the Sisi Ni Amani coordinator for the Kasarani Chapter.

We need to urgently shun beliefs that are retrogresive in nature

Social issues are controversial, dynamic and interrelated and interdependent. This could be attributed to the cultural beliefs and practices in various communities. A child that grows in an iniquitous culture may find it impossible to acculturate. This is because attitudes formed through the central route of persuasion have a lasting effect compared to those formed through the peripheral route. Also the social systems found in a particular environment modify behavior either positively or negatively. They interact in an input/ output system, hence garbage in garbage out. Agents of socialization; family, media, religion, school, peer group, penal systems, language, economic system etc. directly determine moral decay or uprightness in the society for instance juvenile delinquency is trainable and correctable. It all depends with a persons values and vision. According to me a holistic thinker is likely to train a child on antisocial behavior. Some people in their adulthood indulge in socially

Lydia Mugo

Vision 2030 is still a mirage

We still have a long way to go as a country considering what we expected to have achieved in 2030, our countrys development ladder, has not been climbed to the middle. The only world class road dubbed Thika Super Highway is so far the only infrastructure development we can see. In terms of education, the system to be used is still under crucial debate. Whether it should be 8-4-4 or 2-6-6-3, we are not sure about communication and technology. The Konza Technology City is still under planning; health care services, our hospitals and health centres are still far from world class health care services as our leaders can be seen going for treatment abroad, in terms of economy our country is still below par.

A son who grows up in a family where the father batters the mother is likely to turn into a wife batterer.
unacceptable behavior that not only stresses their families but impacts others significantly. For instance a son who grows up in a family where the father batters the mother is likely to turn into a wife batterer himself when he gets married while

KIBERA NEWS TEAM: Eric Ouma,Godwin Oyindo, Abuto Rashid, Sylvia Nekesa, David Otieno, Kizito Nadebu, Nicodemus Odalo, Peter Ombedha, Mary Otieno MATHARE NEWS TEAM: Dennis Onyango, Geofrey Mimas, Irene Adhiambo, Maurice Adienge, Berryl Okello, Joseph Ochieng, Crispine Oginga, Gladys Akoth, Juma Onesmus, Mercy Aymah

a daughter who grows up in the same family would likely remain single for the whole of her life as she would have developed a hatred for men. In efforts to correct them, sometimes their families resort to consulting witchdoctors and some pastors who demand hefty sums of money. Most of these pastors who claim they can heal probably cannot and witch doctors are downright liars. How can someone for instance claim that he has the ability to cure AIDS when scientifically we know there is no cure. Such people actually promote retrogressive development because they waste resources which could be channeled to useful activities We can only lead in the right path if the choices we make as individuals are sound and meant to affect our futures positively.

Mark Owino

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MARCH 2013: ISSUE 5

Ghetto Mirror
What they will do
The President

CONFUSED VOTERS: Most voters do not yet know the roles of the new offices

Lack of voter education evident on polling day

By Sylvia Nekesa and Peter Ombedha
A majority of the voters from Mathare and Kibera who participated in Kenyas first election under the new constitution often did not understand the role of the new elected officials they are voting for, like senators, governors, county representatives and womens representative. They were however familiar with the role of the deputy president, who will be a kind of vice president in the new government. Mirror reporters spoke with voters in Mathare and Kibera about their understanding of the new government offices. Many people have not read the new constitution. Consequently, they are uncertain about the roles of the new officers created by it. John Irungu, 42, at Mathare North Primary School, a disabled voter, said hes confused about the difference between senator and a governor. The womens representative, he said, just represents women. Judith Adhiambo, 28, also in Mathare, said, I only know the role of the president, member of parliament and the county representative. She says she doesnt know about the governor and the senator. Michael Otieno, 25, at Mathare Social Hall, said, I think the governor is the eyes of the president. Kenyas new constitution, passed on August 27, 2010, created several new elected positions which havent existed in the country before. These include county representative, governor, senator and womens representative. Under the new constitution, Kenya is divided into 47 counties, each of which has a governor and county assembly elected from among representatives in the county. The national legisla-

Chair cabinet meetings Direct and co-ordinate the functions of ministries and government departments. Exercise power of mercy on the petition of any person in accordance with the advice of the Advisory Committee. Address the opening of each newly opened parliament and also address a special sitting of parliament once a year. Be the Head of State and the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.

Deputy President
Is the principal assistant of the President and deputies for the head of state in the execution of the offices functions. Will not be liable to hold any other state office. Will take over presidency if there is a vacancy in the office of the President.

Out of over 20 voters who were interviewed at different polling stations only one voter clearly understood the roles of these new offices.

Senator
Is to determine allocation of national revenue among counties. Ensure equity in resource distribution. Check the executive through being part of determining any resolution to remove the President or Deputy President from office. Shall check the parliament by participating in debates and approval Bills concerning counties. He/she represent a county in the national level.

Governor
Will represent the county in national and international forums and events as the chief executive officer of the county. Submit the county plans and policies to the County Assembly for approval. Consider, approve and assent to bills passed by the county assembly. Chair meetings of the county executive committee. Assign responsibities of ensuring the discharge of any function of within the county and the provision of related services to every member of the executive committee of the county assembly. Deliver annual state of the county address. Chair the county equivalent of the national Security Council. Sign or designate a county public officer to sign county gazette notices, unless county legislation provides otherwise. Constitute the county executive committee to respond to the functions and competencies assigned to and transferred to each county.

tive branch will consist of an upper house, the Senate, and lower house, the National Assembly. Each county elected a woman Member of Parliament, guaranteeing that there will be at least 47 women in the legislature. Gideon Kaburu, 68, a voter at Toi Primary School, knew what the role of the governor is under devolution. The governor is the manager of the county, therefore manages all the resources of the county by putting them into good use and creating opportunities. Out of over 20 voters who were interviewed by reporters from the Mirror at different polling stations on voting day only one voter clearly understood

A voter cast his vote dirinng the General Election at Social Hall in Mathare Area Two
Photo: Nicodemus Odalo

the roles of these new offices. The governor is in charge of county services appoints county executive committees with the approval of the county assembly and appoints town and municipal boards within the county.

Even though people are exercising their right to vote, they often seem to be uncertain about the offices they are voting for. This means that many people are voting based on party affiliation rather than individual qualifications for the position.

Member of Parliament
Represent the people of a constituency and special interests in the National Assembly. Deliberate on and resolve issues of concern to the people. Enact legislation. Determine the allocation of national revenue to between the levels of government. Appropriate funds for expenditure by the national government and other State organs. Exercise oversight of state organs. Approve declaration of war and extensions of states of emergency. Review the conduct of the President, the Deputy President and other state officers and initiates the process of removing them from office.

The non performing MPs can be sacked by the electorate

By Mirror Reporter

TEAM KIBRA: New Kbra County representatives show their electon certficates. From left: Fredrick ObengeLindi, Ahmed Adam - Makina and Davd Njoroge-Woodley.

Although the elections have been mostly decided, voters dont necessarily have to live permanently with their choices. The electorate has the power to recall the newly elected legislators if they are unhappy with them. According to article 104 of the new constitution, the electorate has the right to recall the member of parliament representing their constituency before the end of the term of the relevant house of parliament. The article also says that Parliament should establish recall procedures. MPs in the last parliament added an amendment to the law blocking recall with the first two years of a legislators term and within the last year. With parliamentary terms lasting only five years, the electorate now only has two years in which they can recall a member of parliament. The MPs also introduced

Women representatives
Represent the people of a constituency at the national government. Makes laws in the National Assembly. Approves nominations for various public offices before appointment by the President. Sits in Parliament committees of various sectors. Approves national budget. May represent interests of women when necessary.

County representatives
Present views, opinions and proposals of the electorate to the County Assembly. Attend sessions of the County Assembly and its committees. Provide a linkage between the county assembly and the electorate on public services delivery. Extend professional knowledge, experience or specialized knowledge to any issue for discussion in the County Assembly. Maintain close contact with the electorate and consult them on issues before or under discussion in the County Assembly.

another amendment to delay recalls by making them first be subject to a count process. In order for a recall petition to be filed, it must be signed by at least 30 percent of the registered voters in a constituency. The petitioners must

also pay Ksh 500,000 with those signed petitions. A person who unsuccessfully contested an election is not eligible to initiate the position. If a legislator survives one recall, another petition cannot be filed within the five years

time. Voters in a county or constituency may recall their MP if such a member is found after to have violated the provision of chapter six of the constitution on leadership and integrity, mismanaged public resources, or if he is convicted of a crime.

Ghetto Mirror

MARCH 2013: ISSUE 5

Pic Speak

The excitement, exhaustion and despair before, during and after the historic day

GRANNYS DAY OUT: This eldery woman shows her best dance moves during the Sitarusha Mawe Tena peace campaign at Kamukunji Grounds Kibera on February 28 just a few days to the election Photo: Peter Ombedha COST OF DEMOCRACY: Voters queue past the Chiefs office on their way to Olympic Primary School voting centre in Kibera. Hundreds of eager voters spent the night outside the schools gate on the eve of voting day. At 4.30 a.m they forced their way in. Photo: Peter Omedha

MOTHERLY AFFAIR: IEBC gave preference to the sick and mothers with children but at Ndururuno Primary School they were so many that a queue was made for them and it still stretch over two hundred metres. Photo: Nicodemus Odalo

OVERWHELMED: A police officer restrains a large group of voters at Old Kibera Primary School polling centre. No incidents were reported. Photo: Peter Ombedha

DEMOCRATIC RIGHT: A voter casts his ballot at Mathare 4A Primary School polling centre. Many voters argued that the color codes of the ballot boxes were not very distinct leading to confusion .
Photo: Nicodemus Odalo

DESPAIR: Supporters of Prime Minister Raila Odinga in deep thought as it emerged that Uhuru Kenyatta had won the election in the first round. The situation was replicated across the whole of Kibera where the Prime Minister enjoys a fanatical following. Photo: Peter Ombedha

PEACE WANTED: Street artist Solomon Muyundo Solo 7 Paints on a speed bump along Karanja road as children Download free QR reader from the watch. internet and scan this code with
Photo: Peter Ombedha

your smart phone for constant photos, news and vdeos from the informal settlements

MARCH 2013: ISSUE 5

CORD outshines Jubilee in the informal settlements

Out of six constituencies, CORD won five that are considered informal settlements
By Mirror Team
The Jubilee coalition and its opponents in the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy won a roughly equal number of parliamentary seats in Nairobi, but CORD proved more popular in the ghettos and informal settlements. Out of six constituencies, CORD won five that are considered informal settlements. Controversial business man Ishad Sumra of ODM won the Embakasi South constituency seat despite stiff competition. Apart from Imara Daima Estate along Mombasa Road, the rest of the vast constituency is filled up with informal settlements: Kware, Mukuru kwa Njenga in Industrial area, Mukuru kwa Rueben, Mukuru Kayaba and Pipeline. The eldest son of former Starehe MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru easily won the new Mathare constituency which was curved from the large Starehe Constituency. According to Bishop Wanjiru the constituency had pressed her to give them a leader and she proposed her son Stephen Kariuki, who was contesting on an ODM ticket. Mathare is the second largest informal settlement, behind Kibera, with over 500,000 people residing in it.

Ghetto Mirror 5 Kidero vows to change the slums

By Mirror reporter

ODM Area won by a large marign ODM Area won by a small marign TNA Area won by a large marign TNA Area won by a small marign ODMs Tom Joseph Kajwang won the new Ruaraka constituency. The younger brother of the immigration Minister and senator-elect of Homabay county Hon. Otieno Kajwang, Tom Kajwang also hails from a political family like Kariuki. Korogocho, Mathare North, Lucky Summer and Baba Dogo constitute the Ruaraka constituency. Newcomer to city politics Simba Arati is the new Dagoretti North Member of Parliament. The ODM leader is not, however, new to politics. He is a former student leader at the Kenya Polytechnic. However, it was not easy for him as he had to edge out youthSOURCE: Google maps

The eldest son of former Starehe MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru won the new Mathare constituency which was curved from the large Starehe Constituency.

ful charismatic politician John Kiarie. 35 -year-old Kenneth Odhiambo Okoth is the new MP for Kibera, taking over from Prime Minister Raila Odinga who has been the MP for Kibera for 20 years. Okoth beat radical politician Fred Amayo of the Federal Party in a fierce competition. The Jubilee Coalition only managed to capture Embakasi North constituency parliamentary seat. George Gakuya of The National Alliance who was considered an underdog in the race proved his critics wrong. Dandora and Kariobangi North make up this expansive constituency.

New Nairobi Governor elect, Evans Kidero has vowed to restructure the informal settlements as soon as he is sworn in. Kidero who reported to office even before being sworn in said he will ensure that resources are allocated to improve the needs of the slum dwellers. I will prioritise services like, water, electricity, housing and expansion of the narrow roads especially within the slums so that they can also enjoy quality living standards, He said. Kidero of ODM fought off fierce competition from Ferdinand Waititu of TNA to garner 692,483 votes against Waititu 617,839. Political analysts argue Kidero got most his votes from the middle class while his rival depended on votes from the informal settlements. I will marshal and allocate enough resources to enable residents enjoy these basic needs, he said.

How music, messages and art helped prevent violence

From Page 1
waving peace placards and singing songs about peace. They were joined with students from neighbouring Raila education centre and Kibra Academy. Non-Governmental organisations were perhaps the most visible on peace campaigns in all the major informal settlements holding countless peace concerts and rallies spread over two years. These campaigns ran simultaneously with the political campaigns. Just two weeks to the election, on February 17 Ghetto Radio, the Ghettogether peace concerts at Mathare and Kibera. The two concerts that ran simultaneously in both slums. This was one of the biggest peace concerts held in the informal settlements with attendance running into thousands. The two events were aired live on Ghetto Radio. Prior to that, another big concert was the Kibera Good Governance Festival organised by Culture Connect In partnership with Action Aid and Kibera Community Development Agenda. The concert happened on December 15 last year with the theme Jiamulie, Jichagulie Amani (Decide for yourself and choose peace). Music is a strong and fundamental channel of communication, especially among youth as it brings attention to matters that would rather not have gotten much interest to this crucial group, said Thomas Menzer, the Cul-

Passengers board a train sprayed with graffitti at Gatwekera in Kibera.

Photo: Peter Ombedha

ture Connect chairman in an interview with the Ghetto Mirror during the event. Football was also a big ingredient in the campaign for peace with numerous peace tournaments being held across all the major slums. The Amani Kibera football tournament was held annually since the outbreak of violence in 2007. Graffiti, which the Nairobi City Council has outlawed, was once again used to foster peace in the major informal settlements. Street artist Solomon Muyundo popularly known as Solo 7 was very active painting thousands of graffiti in Kibera, Mathare and Huruma with his trademark Peace wanted alive slogan. The Ghetto Mirror caught up with him on polling day painting along Karanja Road and Kibera Drive. I have lost count of how many paintings on peace I have done so

far, but I hope the people will see this as they head home from voting and they maintain peace even as we wait for the results, He said. When we fight no one gains anything. If you beat me and I get injured or I loose my life, what have you gained, He posed. With permission from Kenya Railways, Kibera Walls for Peace and Kibera Hamlets, gathered graffiti artists from different regions that sprayed all the cars of the train that commutes from Nairobi City to Kikuyu through Kibera and Dagoretti with peace graffiti. The train covers seven kilometres on its Kibera part of the journey. This was the first time in Kenyan history that a whole train was sprayed with authorised graffiti. The train is perhaps the only one in Africa with such graffiti.

Ghetto Mirror

New MP outlines his vision for Kibra

Apart from Woodley Estate, Kibra constituency is largely informal with the Kibera Slum occupying 95 percent of the total constituency. Apart from trying to fit in the large shoes of his predecessor Raila Odinga, the new MP has also inherited a myriad of challenges faced by his constituents ranging from poor housing, sanitation, lack of jobs and insecurity. (See separate story) Immediately after the results were announced, Okoths Facebook page was awash with what the people want him to do. David Owino wrote, You guys the ball is on your court. To begin with, poverty in Kibra is a matter of concern. The education standards are pathetic. Olympic Primary School must get back to its former standards of excellence. The slum upgrading housing project ought to continue at quicker pace. We also need your leadership on lack of jobs so that hao vijana wana piga watu ngeta area ya (Guys who are mugging people at gunpoint in these areas can find something else to do) Makina, Mashimoni, Mama Okinda and Baraka down Soweto waache kusurvive na guns. access to better housing, water and health care. I understand this will take a longer time, but it is a priority. On the streets of Kibera however, his critics argue that he is soft and may not be able to transform Kibera as he said. When the Ghetto Mirror posed this question to him, he refused to answer. The results speak for themselves. It doesnt take a soft mind to plan and build a school, he said. It takes a focused guy with a hard mind, connections and discipline. Nobody has done it in Kibera apart from the Prime Minister and Kennedy Odede of SHOFCO (the Ghetto Mirror is published by SHOFCO). I deliver results. Right now I have 39,000-plus votes elected by the people of Kibera, so obviously they chose the hardest person. Among the first changes he says he would bring will be to fire the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) committee which has been accused of managing the funds which were created by the government to help develop constituencies. According National Tax Payers Association Langata constituency which was divided into twoKibra and Langatascored a poor 39 percent on CDF management last year. None of the projects done by the fund scored more than 45 percent. We need to hire new CDF management and committee. This is a new Kenya. I will not hire people because they are my friends. The new office will not be corrupt or tribal. Those who want to be part of the committee will be interviewed afresh and I will call the press to be cover the process, Okoth said. Only time will tell if the new MP who rose from selling newspapers since he couldnt afford university fees even after being an A student from the Starehe Boys Centre can transform Kibera. But at the moment he hardly has time to celebrate.

MARCH 2013: ISSUE 5

Eager voters d not sleep on polling day

By Paul Owino & Nicodemus Odalo
Many people in Kibera and other informal settlements hardly sleep on the eve of an election. This time wa sno different. This is the first election under the devolved constitution. The fact that Kibera member of parliament Raila Odinga was running for president perhaps explains some of the enthusiasm. Jared Omulo did not sleep on the eve of election day. Like more than 100 other enthusiastic voters, the father of four kept vigil outside Olympic Primary School waiting for the polls to open at 6:00 a.m. on March 4. Before election day, enthusiasm was running high as people waited eagerly to participate in Kenyas first election since the passage of the new constitution in August of 2010. The early risers all over Kibera were chanting, Round one, no extra time, as they streamed to the polls at 4:00 a.m. on election day. At 3 a.m. Monday morning, people had already begun screaming, playing vuvuzelas and whistles, calling each other on phones, and knocking on peoples doors and gates to mobilize voters. Momanyi Robert said, I was here at 2:00 a.m. I will vote. I cant go without voting because the time is now for change. I will vote, even if it is late hours. Robert is enthusiastic about casting his vote and seeing the election process work. The mood in Mathare was the same at about 1:30 a.m. Charles in Mathare said, We are not sleeping, because when we sleep the leadership of this country will sleep and we are avoiding what happened in 2007. Thats why we have to search every car and bus entering Mathare North Primary School to avoid what happened in 2007. At Daima Primary School near Huruma Flats, Peterson Mbugua said they are out because everyone was out. They are are going to have a huge voter turnout, he said. So he queues early, before 6:00 a.m., so he can go back home and watch the news on the television. At 6:20 a.m., polling was delayed, so voters in queues forced their way into the polling station. The four policemen on the scene tried to stop them, but the crowd was too large. The crowd began to call them names. One of the officers tried to explain the reason for the delay, but the crowd shouted him down with cries of Waiganjoo, the name of a famous police imposter in the Rift Valley. In Huruma, between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m., the line was long, but it was well organized and quiet, compared to Mathare North and Kibera. In Huruma and Mathare North, initial enthusiasm was dampened by slow voting proceduresespecially the name searchand the failure of the new voting equipment. One mother at Drive Inn Primary School said, The voting was fast but was slowed down when the battery of the biometric machines went low. But it was fixed, so things improved after that. This was the most organized polling station the Mirror reporters saw. The mood of party agents and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was upbeat and confident at all the polling stations Mirror writers visited. Security was tight in all the centers. Police were on standby in case of emergency or civil unrest. IEBC officials demanded official IEBC approval letters to identify people from media houses. Expectant mothers, the handicapped, and mothers with young children were being given first priority by the voters in the queues at all the stations except Mathare North Social Hall. The voting process started late at this station.

New Kibra Mp elect Kenneth Okoth addressing the crowd during the final CORD rally at Nyayo Stadium. Looking on is the Embakasi North Mp elect Ishad Sumra Photo: Peter Ombedha From page 1
In a bid to become better known, last year Okothwho was born and raised in Kibera by a single mother organized The Children of Kibera festival, a two-day theatre and dance competition that attracted over 3,000 participants from schools around the slum. He is also synonymous with the Ken Okoth soccer tournament that has been taking place for a while now. We talked to people in churches, schools, community health workers and everyone else who we could reach. I believe people elected me because of the vision I had for them, he said. Other people who came after me came with money. Let me tell you, the people of Kibera may be poor, but they are not stupid. If people believe in you, they will vote for you even without money. They want someone who

The total number of votes that Okoth garnered.

has their long term interests at heart. The competition was so fierce, especially during the nominations, that a school that he runs within Kibera was vandalized when he won the ticket. He said all that is behind him now. I dont know who vandalized my school, you go and ask them. I dont want to escalate tension. Three days after that event the kids were back in school. At that time I did not want to revenge. My focus is not to fight with people who go around vandalizing schools, he said.

39,689

His three main priorities?

Number one: Wealth creation, by providing loans whether it is to women groups, youth groups or the jua kali sector. You can create employment for everybody but people can create their own employment if they have capital.If you want capital you go to a bank but the process does not favour the poor, he asserts. My second priority would be providing quality technical and vocational training for the youth, school drop outs, children and elderly people who need training on how to run their business. I mean training to be a plumber, electrician, sports man or even musician.Simple things that can improve your livelihood, he adds. I will also strive to improve

We will miss Odinga- Kibera residents

Residents speak highly of a man they popularly refer to as Baba (Father)
By Mary Otieno & Peter Ombedha
For the first time since 1992, Kibera will not be represented in Parliament by Raila Odinga. He was a contestant in the presidential race in the just concluded general election and is currently engaged in a legal battle challenging the credibility of the results. Many residents will find it hardKenya politics will be more boring without him, some say. Prisca Nyangua sells fruits and sukumawiki in Toi market. Shes lived in Kibera since 1984. Raila Odinga has done more in Kibera. People should not say that he has done nothing. In a real sense he has done more and I appreciate for work he has done. Some complain that Odinga did not do enough for them with the Constituency Development Funds that MPs are allocated. But William Mbula said, He loves and fights for the rights of marginalized people in the society, especially the poor. A report by the National Tax Payers Association says last year Langata constituency development funds were poorly used. The constituency from which the new Kibra Constituency falls scored a paltry 39 percent in the use of the CDF. Jacklyn Nyakwara, another Kibera resident, said he fought for people in the slum, leading to decreases in rent and improvements infrastructure and sanitation. People in Kibera will be neglected, the poor will be discriminated not only

for people in the slum, leading to decreases in rent and improvements infrastructure and sanitation. Without him people in Kibera will be neglected.
Jackline Nyakwara A supporter of Prime Minister Raila Odinga with a dummy note bearing his image during the CORD final poltical rally at Nyayo Stadium on March 1. Photo: Peter Ombedha
in Kibera but in Kenya and there will be no democracy in Kenya, she said. Joyce Akoth, who sells vegetables along Karanja Road, said that Raila was a good leader, who brought a lot of NonGovernmental Organizations in the area plus he was a good communicator. He knows how to communicate with people, using their own language at rallies and meetings. He can easily know what people like and what they dislike. She said. Mary Muthoni, a vendor in Gatwekera, said, I think Kenyans and not only Kibera residents should give their appreciation to Raila Odinga for work he has done to the people of Kenya. I have been in Kibera for more than twenty years. He has served us and I know him. If Raila Odinga says that he wants any leadership position I will still vote for him. He is not from my tribe but I know his potential, she said. Peter Njoroge, a cobbler at Ayany, said he likes Raila, and that he voted for him for president. Without Raila, I think Kenyans were already divided into two parts, and because of Raila here we are one country, he said. People should not forget that Raila Odinga is still a hero not only in Kenya, but a world hero. But Joseph Opondo, a tailor in Laini Saba, blamed Odinga for not doing a lot better for the people of Kibera when he had the chance. Raila was teaching hundreds of children with CDF money, but he never thought to build another school and employ more teachers so that more children who are walking around can get enough education in their life. Kibera has only three public primary schools and they are oversubscribed.

He fought

MAECH 2013: ISSUE 5

Clever residents of Dandora have turned East Africas largest dump into a cash cow
By Peter Ombedha
Mwangi alights from a Toyota Probox car dressed in a navy blue suit, a white shirt and a matching tie. It is around 1 p.m. in the afternoon and the sun is scorching over Dandora. This is not his only car; he claims to own a Mercedes Benz. He immediately enters into a room and comes out a few minutes later in a tattered pair of jeans, matching shirt and gum boots. He soon trudges through the filth at Dandora dumpsite and joins his employees 30 employees who earn a living from sifting through the garbage to look for recyclable items. Whether you choose to call it the Dandora Dumpsite or Capital Boma Marketas some dothe Dandora dumpsite is a capital market which employs more than 5,000 residents from Dandora and other slums. Mwangi has been working at Boma Market since he lost his father in 1987 while in class six. He is now one of the leaders who control the dump. When my father died, I was left with my mother, sister and two brothers and we were very poor at that time, He said. Since I wanted to help my family to put something on the table I decided to join garbage collec-

Dreams from the dandora dumpsite

tion. Things were very difficult but I learnt with time. he explained. Mwangi now owns three Lorries. He uses them to ferry garbage from different locations around Nairobi on a daily basis. His main customers are Nakumatt Holdings, Kawangware Market and sometimes from the Jomo Kenyatta International Market (JKIA). Each lorry goes three round trips per day. He said. After the garbage has been emptied, we immediately sort it out and select what we think can be recycled. This includes plastic bags, containers and metals. This is what we sell to recycling companies. He added.

Ghetto Mirror

Workers at the Dandora dumpsite scramble for fresh garbage. The dumpsite employs thousands of people who earn an average of 1000 shillings per day

Photo: Peter Ombedha

a big industry. The dumpsite (sic) can employ thousands of people around Nairobi if we thought of starting a recycling plant in the area, he said during one of his campaigns in the area.

Respiratory diseases
Dandora, which is home to the site, was listed as one of the most polluted areas in the world by the blacksmith institute. A study conducted by the United Nations Environmental Programme in 2007 found that about half of the 330 children living near the dumpsite suffered from respiratory illnesses. I am afraid that my health is not good because the air that we breathe around here but I have to appreciate this is where I make a living. Said David Kwamboka who has been working there for 12 years. He makes

20,000 shillings daily

Mwangi is among thousands of garbage transporters, recyclers and handcart pushers who rely on the site for survival since the first batch of garbage was dumped there in 1975. He makes 20,000 shillings per day and each of his 30 employees earns 1,500 shillings. Most of the political aspirants in the just concluded elections used the dumpsite to bargain for votes. Newly elected Nairobi City Governor Evans Kidero said it can be transformed into

From the proceeds I have managed to build a permanent house in the area and another one in our rural home for my mother.
Joseph Omondi
an average of 1000 shillings per day. Margaret Atieno, who this writer found with her two children sifting through the garbage for recyclable items, said she started working there

even before the birth of her first born. One of my two girls is now a student at Makerere University and the other one is at Mombasa Polytechnic. She said Joseph Omondi, a school dropout is perhaps one of the best success stories of people who work at the dump. Last year I collected gold worth 30 thousand shillings, silver of 50 thousand and also 25 thousand shillings in cash after a lorry from JKIA dropped rejected dumps, He claimed. From the proceeds he has managed to build his mother a permanent house in the area and another one in his rural home. There has been an attempt to relocate the 32 acre dumpsite which was declared full by the City Council in 2002 to Ruai but the Airports Authority resisted the move saying birds which are attracted to dumpsites are will be risky to aeroplanes .

Slum economy has not yet recovered after elections

Mathare MP in tussle with IEBC

By Mirror reporter

Rows of empty stalls at the Toi Market during election week. One cabbage was retailing for 100 shillings up from 30 shillings in the market famous for its cheap prices. According to Lilian Ochieng (right) this was caused by low supply Photos: David Otieno
By David Otieno & Godwin Oyindo
It may take some time before the slum economy comes back to normal after suffering a big blow during the election week. Most shops and vendors closed their businesses two days before the election and several days after the election for fear of the outcome. According to Lialian Ochieng, a seasoned vendor in Toi market, prices have increased because of low supplies from the wholesalers and exaggeration of prices. Today tomatoes which used to be sold at Ksh 5 have tripled and a kilogram of cabbage of that used to be Ksh 10 has hiked to Ksh 100, Lillian said. Lillian said the market was empty because many of her fellow vendors skipped work for fear that violence may erupt, as it happened in 2007-08 after the general election. You see in 2007, goods worth millions of shillings were destroyed and goods looted by people from Kibera after the election body delayed announcing the final presidential result and it is unfortunate that the same is happening, she said. The case was not different in shops along the streets of the slum as the prices of basic commodities increased sharply. Since most shops are closed and as now theres tension in Kibera, we do not want to experience the repeat of 2007-08 violence, said John, a shopkeeper. We are therefore forced to clear the stock as quick as possible to

minimize loss in case violence erupts. Since most slum residents live on less than a dollar a day and depend on kadogo economy, the rise in economy directly affects them. Kepha Otieno, a jua kali artisan who lives in Kibera, believes that the rapid rise in prices was a result of tension created due to delay in announcing the presidential result. Its unfortunate that sugar, maize flour, vegetables, cooking fat, fuel and some other basic commodities prices has doubled while others tripled, he said. I think the government through IEBC should release the final presidential results as soon as possible so that things get back to normal and live people to continue with other chores. Caroline Atieno, a widow and a mother of two also cited how uncomfortable she was during this electioneering period. For me I have survived through Gods grace because for the last two days I have eaten nothing, She posed. Prices of basic commodities have tripled and Mboga that I used to buy at Ksh10 is now Ksh50, I just wonder where we are leading to! Caroline said emotionally. I just wish somebody gives me fare so that I can return to my rural home. It is unfortunate that fare has now hiked three times the normal. She added.

Mathare MP elect Stephen Kariuki is embroiled in a tussle with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after the commission said it irregularly issued a winners certificate to him. Kariuki who vied on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) insists he won the election and is accusing the commission of being unfair because his opponent did not raise issues when the results were announced. I was declared the winner by the Returning Officer and issued with the certificate which I have and I am not returning it back, he said. Anybody with disputes should go to court as per the Elections Act, he said. An IEBC official from the poll agency said they were taking measures to correct the anomaly.

Mathare: How gang feud led to torched houses and death

body of member of the Croatian gang was found dead outside Baba Karios bar. He was accused of the death and the gang threatened his life. It was during the same time that a body of one of the gang member was found dead. He had been stubbed by knife and the gang blamed it on Baba Kario as his body had been carried and dumped outside his bar, she said. Chairman tried defending himself but the gang collided with the deceased mother to threaten him. On December 23rd the gang attacked him, bit him up and also had some cuts on him before setting his bar a blaze while he was inside, no resident was allowed to rescue him instead they stood outside until his bar was burnt completely,. As the bar burnt down other houses also caught the fire and a few families were affected as well, she added. But even after burning down the bar the gang still didnt stop there instead turned their attention to the chairmans children. The gang had only wanted to repay their loss of a member. They were punishing the chairmans children. His M-pesa shops were also burnt down as a form of the punishment. After burning him inside his bar they turned to his M-pesa which they also burnt down to punish his sons. William said, The Croatia group was accusing chairmans man children for the death of their member who had accompanied them in a mission of theft outside Mathare as has always been their norm, the mission was successful but when they were to share the possessions a slight misunderstanding erupted and they went physical in this was how the deceased met his death all these took place outside the chairmans bar.

Ghetto Mirror

MARCH 2013: ISSUE 5

GANG VALLEY: An aerial view of Mathare where during the festive season over 100 houses were torched and six people klled as rival gangs clashed. Photo: File By Nicodemus Odalo & Paul Owino
Residents of Mathare continue living in fear and suspicion of each other as insecurity heightens in Mathare 3C area where six residents lost their lives in December last year in arson attacks in the area. Several families are still homeless. More than hundred houses were been burnt down in a retaliatory attack and many people are afraid to talk about the matter for fear of reprisals. An investigation by the Ghetto Mirror reveals the attacks were planned and executed by the rival illegal gangs in the slum. According to Esther Munde (not her real name), there had been peaceful co-existence until the illegal gangs started burning down houses in late December last year. Peace had seemingly been retained until late December last year and some part of January this year when all these started, she said. Residents of Mathare 3C appointed a chairman of the area whose responsibilities were to ensure the security of the residents. Soon the some residents complained that he was not a good leader. He was removed and a resident only identified to us a Baba Kario became the new chairman. As the rivalry which no one had expected such outcome begun there was need to tame it, Peter Wambugu was made the chairman of 3C but as residents complained of his poor leadership he was removed and replaced by Baba Kario, Esther said. He is a successful business man who runs a well known bar here and an M-pesa shop. He was a good leader and fought for the restoration of peace of in this area but got resistance from the illegal gang known as Croatia who by then had been harassing residents and had even gone to the extent of attacking early risers who were on their way to their jobs, they threatened and robbed them each morning of anything they possessed, Esther said. However, another resident, William Ogutu, 20, who also asked for anonymity, told the Mirror that Baba Kario was in a different gang from outside 3C, which was the reason why the Croatians rejected him. Baba Karios children are also members of which is not from 3C and are also thieves, he said.

Main targets
According to Esther, businesses were the main targets of the 3C illegal gang. Even those who had used his Mpesa shops were threatened. The gangs never liked his leadership and started targeting his businesses, they had also threatened and even stole from those who use his M-pesa shops, said Esther. There were a number of residents bitten up by these boys just to stop them from using his shops. Baba Karios sons who used to run his m-pesa shop after seeing all these decided to intervene and this was the begin of the animosity.

More than 100 houses were been burnt down in a retaliatory attack and many people are still afraid to talk about the matter for fear of reprisals.
The animosity grew when the

The gang then decided to revenge by setting his bar and M-pesa shops a blaze but in the process several houses got burnt down, William added. The gang continued harassing residents. Neighbours who had to rise early for work were the worst casualties. They stole from them anything they could steal. Even after having done all these they never stopped instead turned on us stealing from us and even threatening our lives. The worst hit were those going to work very early in the morning, Esther said. As this continued a different gang known us the Taliban from the neighbouring village, Mathare 4B decided to intervene mainly targeting the Croatia gang. The gang from 4B in area known as Kwa Kitunguu, a Swahili word for onion a food spice used especially in frying and as the name suggested meant the area is a place of being fried especially for anyone trying to mess around. The Taliban had only wanted to help contain the situation in 3C. They acted first by also attacking the Croatia gang by burning down their houses, but also burned some innocent residents houses.

Taliban vs Mungiki
As these continued Taliban, a gang from Mathare 4B saw that innocent residents were being mistreated, losing lives and properties decided to intervene. They burnt down the Croatian gangs houses but then the fire again spread not only burning the intended houses but also affecting others, William said. The Taliban is the most feared gang after Mungiki in the slum.

What they say what we say

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Ghetto Mirror
Real life stories from slums

The Ghetto Mirror, is a monthly newspaper published and distributed for free by Shining Hope For Communities as part of its programs aimed at empowering the youth through developing their media skills and also to bring attention to the issues affecting the residents of the informal settlements. All the work that goes into production of this newspaper is done by youth from the slums. Correspondence should be addressed to theghettomirror@ gmail.com. You can also visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ghettomirror for constant news updates, photos and videos . News and advertising: 0721689996, 020-2329661