Fredrick Obenge

Meet the Lindi county representative who defied all the odds

My hood
Sego slum located just a few metres from the Statehouse in Nairobi.
Page 5

Male child
A woman divorced for not giving birth to a boy child Page 6

Page 3

FREE

Do no buy

The Digital Migration date postponed

Facts:
First phace had been set comence on Dec 2012 - Oct 2013 but holted by court order after COFEK had filed a compliant on behalf of Nairobians. The government in a rush to meet the international deadline of the analouge switch off in 2016. A large population of the people living in Nairobi are not ready for the switch siting its cost.

ISSUE 10 APRIL 2014 ghettomirror@shininghopeforcommunities.org Nairobi residents can sigh with relief after the high court moved to postpone the digital migration date

Ghetto Mirror
Real life stories from slums

The move by the high court to postponevv the digital migration date came as a sigh of relief among millions of the Nairobi residents after it appeared that a larger fraction was not prepared for the migration.
By George Sakwa & Vincent Oreje

Ariel view of some houses in Gatwikira, one of the villages in Kibra, showing just how people arent prepared for the digital switch. As it seems only a few families can be able to afford the satelite dishes. Photo: David Otieno

The court of Appeal on March 28 ruled in favor of the three mainstream media houses in Kenya, Nation Media Group, Standard Group and Royal Media Services ordering the Communication Commission of Kenya CCK to issue media owners with digital broadcasting license. This was in the bid to further delay the digital migration date until suitable legislations are passed by the parliament. The date then was moved to September 30. The Kenyan government has agreed to comply with an international standard to convert analogue television signals to digital by 2016 and lawyer Paul Muite who was representing the media houses defended the move by the court saying the media houses were not opposed to the migration but only wanted legislation that would ensure smooth transition. The analogue signal had earlier in Nairobi been switched

continue page 7

Divorced for not bearing a male child

Can the gender of a child (whether male of female) determine how long or short the marriage should last? It is sad to note that even in the 21st century, the digital era; the birth of a female child is considered a stigma. Njoki, aged 40 years, got married when she was 20 years old. She is blessed with four daughters, aged 18, 16, 15 and 10 years. According to Njoki, the drama started with paying the school fees to her kids, My first born was in school in Soweto area in Kibera slums with required school fees of Ksh 300 per month, pay-

By Johnson Abuto & Abdul Aziz

ing this was not easy since I had no work and my husband was the sole breadwinner for the family then, she says. This forced her to start washing clothes at Langata Estate where she was earning Ksh 200 per day. She was now able to pay a bit of school fees for her child, who was later admitted to a Missionary school. She completed her primary education in this missionary school. Things became worse, when she gave birth to her third baby, another daughter. My husband changed and became different towards me; his family members also portrayed the same attitude. I felt lonely

and the only people I could talk to were my children, said Njoki. She says she went through a hard situation since she had no one who could advise her on what to do. She became bitter when she remembered her husband saying I will leave this house to you and your children because you dont have any of my child. Njokis daughter remembers how the criticism continued even with the birth of our last born.

Continue page 6

Ghetto Mirror 2

APRIL 2014: ISSUE 10

We welcome letters or topical issues on the stories we publish. Engage us by sending them to ghettomirror@shininghopeforcommunities.org. You can also drop them in our offices at Gatwekera near PAG church, Kibra or call 0703 129 808/0723 997175 visit:www.shininghopeforcommunities.org/ghettomirror

TALKING POINT
D o y o u k n o w w h ere yo u r chi l d sl e e p s ?
By: George Sakwa
More than ten young children between the ages of 6 to 12 years were found locked in a room during the night. Amongst only two were girls while the rest were boys. I left our house at 8:30 p.m. to go to my sleeping room, I then went to take my friends, said Rose Kacheri, a standard five pupil at Global Academy, who was one of the children found at the room. We only managed to identify Rose (not her real name) who was just 8 years old. when our children have started doing this (sleeping out) at this tender age, do they have a bright future? The parents should keenly monitor the movements of their children during all the times to ensure that there future is not destroyed by the decisions that our children may make due to peer pressure from their friends. Furthermore, they should also choose their friends keenly, those who will help go places and not those who will retar their growth

Its time to go digital

Art By Dennis Mwanzia

#mwaahnzia

FB//mwaahnzia

Quote of the month Give every man the ear but few thy voice.
William Shakespear
A publication of Shining Hope for Communities
Designer
George Sakwa Boniface Nyamu Ronald Calcano

Hongera to 2013 form fours in Kibera

By Pamela Odera
Bravo! Bravo! To the 2013 form four candidates from the informal settlements who have achieved good grades in KCSE despite the odds that they went through during their studies. According to the Ministry of Education, good grades begin from C+ (plus) which most of the students from the slums have been achieving just as the rest of other students from well-off backgrounds despite the hurdle. Private/informal schools in Kibera like Maono school and Elite academy, among others, had candidates who scored more than C+. In Maono School, they had even a B which means direct entry to a public university. In Elite Academy, they too had students with B+ and above. This is very encouraging given that they have come from difficult environments. They have even outperformed some students from reputable schools and from well-off backgrounds. First, public schools are so few in the informal settlements that some slums even do not have a Public Secondary School. Lack of public-funded education facilities has meant that other partners like NGOs, Churches and Community Organizations have started informal schools to address the gap. This poses a clear danger to the quality assurance of the education at the informal settlements, impacting heavily on the low literacy level. In Kibera, there are only five public primary schools, that is Olympic, Ayany, Raila Education Centre, Shadrack Kimalel, and Kibera Primary Schools. Public Secondary schools in-

Illustration

Photo editor

Editing: David Otieno, Vincent Oreje, Erick

Okwama, Sakwa.

Design and layout: Dennis Mwanzia, George Photography: Erick Ouma, Adan Ibrahim and
Dishon Atira

Marketing and distribution: Pamela Odera,

Timothy Nadebu and Clementine Avedi

Contributors: Kevin Ochieng, Adull Aziz,

Cynthia Nyanchama, Mitchel Karush, Pauline Karush , Johnson Abuto , Esther Moraa, Calvince Omondi , Benard Ochieng,Nicodemus Odalo, and Lynn Seru

Technical Assistance:
Dan Whipple
ghettomirror@shininghopeforcommunities.org

clude Olympic, Raila, and Shadrack Kimalel. These schools cannot accommodate the high population in the slum. The County Government of Nairobi might have realized this problem and the Nairobi Governor, Dr. Evans Kidero recently announced that they will increase the number of public schools in The County, particularly in the densely populated informal settlements. This will indeed boost the education in the county and therefore more of the students from such low income residences will shine in The National Examinations. Secondly, these students either do not have access to or have limited access to vital resources for learning, such as a wellequipped laboratory, a wellequipped library, ample read-

ing rooms/spaces among other things. Many of these students have to look for innovative ways of doing private studies and sourcing for learning materials as they prepare to sit for the exams as their counterparts in well equipped institutions. However in order to help solve this problem, some organizations have come out to ensure that these students learn smoothly without disturbance. Organizations like Shining Hope For Communities (SHOFCO) has provided a community library, free of charge and well equipped with resource books that help the learners prepare adequately for the national examinations. The community library also provides ample private reading space for the students who may not have electricity in their

homes to use the library Monday to Sunday from 8am to 9pm. Parents should also be involved in their childrens study. They should inspect the books of their children whenever they return from schools to ensure that they actually went to school and were taught. They should also assist their children to do homework and should be in touch with the school to know the academic progress of their children. It is also their responsibility to support their children with necessary learning materials. Who knows, The future President or Chief Justice could be among these children? Let all parties be it the policy makers, our representatives, schools and parents help improve the performance of our children particularly in the slums.

APRIL 2014: ISSUE 10

Securing a political position is often associated with financial well being. However, there are individuals in the society who gradually contribute in dispelling this notion. Meet one of them, the 36-year-old FREDRICK OWINO OBENGE who rose from being a security guard to a Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Lindi Ward in Kibra Constituency, Nairobi County. Ghetto Mirror caught up with him in his office.

One on One.

Ghetto Mirror 3
High School is also one of the contributing factors in venturing into leadership positions.

A. It all began in 2002 General Election where I was among the youths who strongly took part in campaigning for the NARC Coalition. I then brought myself to the public domain in 2007 when I first contested for the position of Councillor in Lindi Ward on an ODM ticket but unfortunately lost to Babu Adams during the party nominations. I did not lose hope after the defeat and started preparing for the 2013 General Elections by taking part in The Referendum campaigns on the YES side. When 2013 came, I joined the race for the County Ward Representative for Lindi Ward and won on an ODM ticket. A. Since I did not have enough funds, I utilized any available forum in selling my policies to the people and also engaged in community sensitization on the Voter Registration exercise which gave opportunity to interact with the people.

Q. How then did your political journey begin?

Q. How did you conduct your campaigns?

Q. Are there any challenges you encountered during your campaign period?

A. The issue of money politics was my main challenge as the people are used to handouts.
Q. On matters of development, what have you achieved so far?
A. For my accessibility, I have established my office at Sura in Lindi Ward. We have begun projects on installation of floodlights, improving the drainage system, construction of community latrines and providing bursaries to Secondary, College and University students.

Hon. Obenge during his campaings for Lindi ward showing voters his certificates.
Q: Who is Obenge?

Photo: File

A: My full name is Fredrick Owino Obenge, 36 years old, a husband to one wife and a father of three children; one boy and two girls. My first born is in class seven at Olympic Primary School.

Q. A part from latrine construction, what are you also doing to improve the health standards of Lindi residents?
A. We have identified a space for construction of a Health Centre and we have also taken part in mosquito net distribution.

A. Born in 1978, I attended Ugunja Primary School in 1985-1993, joined Rangala Boys Secondary in 19941997 both in Siaya County and later joined Associated Computer Services in Nairobi for a one year course in Computer Electronics where I attained a diploma certificate. I will be joining University of Nairobi in May this year to pursue a degree in Political science. A. Subsequent to completion of my Secondary Education, I came to Nairobi in 1998 and put up with a cousin as I looked for a job. Luckily enough, I got a job with G4S Security Firm as a Security Guard.

Q. Tell us about your education background.

Q. What are some of the things you do in contributing to women empowerment? Q. What about the youth?

A. We have so far identified 65 registered women groups that we will offer support. A. For the youth, we are involved in talent promotion in theatre and soccer, some of which I sponsor personally.

Q. How did you get yourself in Nairobi?

Q. What are you doing to the Lindi residents regarding security?

Q. Did you also manage to get a job with your Computer Electronics course credential?

A. I actually pursued my Computer Electronics Q. Your area of representation falls in that Courses subsequent to getting employed with the G4S bracket of those susceptible to fire tragedies, Security firm but due to the normal dynamics, I have not what measures do you have in place for mitigasucceeded in getting a job with it. A. My inspiration into politics emanated from my father and some African leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu whom I learnt in History classes while in school. Having been a school prefect while in

A. Plans are underway to construct an Administration Police Post in Lindi Ward. We will also talk to Dr. Wanga to sell to us the former Wanga health centre to be our police post.

Q. What drove you into politics?

tion?

A. We have plans to bring a fire ambulance and we have also partnered with the Kenya Red Cross in training the youths on handling any fire outbreak.

Q. On political matters, you are a member of ODM, did you intend vie for any post during the controversial party elections?
A. I did not contest for any post but I actively participated in the party elections as a delegate.

People should not be elected on the basis of money that they issue to the electorate but on the development agenda that they have for their electorates. Once elected to these offices, we should work for the benefit of mwananchi but not fill our pockets for our own benefit.

Q. What is your final word to the residents of Lindi Ward?

A. I thank the Lindi residents immensely for voting me in and I promise to work tirelessly in achieving and fulfilling the promises I made. May God bless them.

County Ward Representative for Lindi, Hon. Fredrick Owino Obenge. He is also a family man, being a husband and a father of three children. His eldest child is in standard seven at Olympic Primary School. He is an icon and a model to young people as he struggled to make ends meet by first accepting the career of a night guard with a security firm. Photo: David Otieno

for any questions or concerns, get to us: ghettomirror@shininghopeforcommunities.org

Ghetto Mirror 4

APRIL 2014: ISSUE 10

Pic speak

Lack of proper dumpsites in basically all the informal settlements across Nairobi has led to careless dumping of wastes.
Photo: David Otieno

Kevin Ochieng (back) seems to be digesting what he is reading while his counterpart Kevin Omondi is putting it down on paper for future reference. Photo: Boniface Nyamu

The upcoming stars nurturing their talent in soccer in a training session in Hillcrest Academy in Karen. They are among the many children being coached by Maurice Olum. Photo: Dennis Mwanzia

What a funny way to way relax! The direction does not matter

Photo: Ronald Calcano

A County Council Askari in deep thoughts perhaps of how the Tumaini ya Jamii Insurance would benefit her it was during the launch of the insurance at Bus Station in Town. Photo: David Otieno

A bite as we take a walk and chat about the current issues in this village.
Photo: Boniface Nyamu

APRIL 2014: ISSUE 10

In this column, the Ghetto Mirror brings you details about the various ghettos of Nairobi, one at a time. This month, we covered Sego slum, a slum just infront of Statehouse Nairobi. If you want Ghetto Mirror to cover your hood, email us through ghettomirror@shininghopeforcommunities.org
dents. Many workers from the Central Business District, Community and the construction workers around have been having their meals from the area. They come to have breakfast and lunch because we provide these meals at affordable prices than the price being offered in town, added Mrs. Muli. The business has therefore been booming over a long period of time. The slum does not have a schoolneither a public nor a private school. The children therefore go to the neighbouring schools which include St. Georges Primary School and the schools in Kibera slum like Toy, Three bells and Olympic Primary schools. Our children have been going to the nearby schools since we do not have a school in the slum, said Mrs. Muli. It is always very far but they have to cope with it as they have no other choice, she added. Apart from schools, we do not also have health centres in the slum. We have been therefore attending the nearby health centres whenever we seek treatment, said a resident who sought anonymity. This has been a challenge since feeling ill is an emergency and you dont plan to be ill. Emergency cases which need quick attention also have been a problem, he added. However, the residents have high hopes in their elected leaders beginning with their Member of CountyAssembly Representative, Mr. Moses Ogetto and Member of Parliament Mr. Simba Arati. Since the slum is just some metres from the Official residence of the President, security is not a problem. We have not had cases of insecurity in the slum over the years. There are always police patrols during the nights. This has enhanced the security here, echoed another resident. Our attempts to get comments on security from the area chief, Mr. Otoyo were unsuccessful.

My Hood.

Ghetto Mirror 5

Just an overview of Sego slums that is located at Milimani off Statehouse road. Its main residents are said to be unversity students. The slum lacks schools and health facilities.
Just a few meters in front of the Nairobi Statehouse gate lies a low income housing. Very small to be recognized as a slum, Sego slum adds to the list of over 160 informal settlements in Nairobi County. The slum is located along Milimani Road off State house road. It is a walking distance from the Central Business

By: George Sakwa & David Otieno

District as no matatus are allowed to operate on the route for security purposes. From valley road,walk along the Milimani road just until you reach the slum. The slums proximity to the town centre makes it to be sort after by many people, particularly the university students and others who wish to save on fare. This has made the rent here to be very high. Just a single roomed

house cost said Magdalene Muli, a business lady who has resided in the slum for over 18 years. The slum is very different from other slums as there are decent houses and it is also divided into different sections. From the road, there is the Sego market, from the market is a dump site and then the blocks of houses. Sego market has been the main income source for the local resi-

Insurance scheme that targets the low income earners

able. We as Jubilee, we call upon Kenyans from all walks to apply for the insurance policy as they offer different options depending on pocket size, he said. In order to avoid facing greater financial burden when hit by an unexpected event, such as the untimely death of a family member, deadly illness or injury, or loss of assets from natural disasters, Kenyans were urged to register themselves and their families. We should avoid last minute rush when faced with problems and instead learn to take preventive measures rather than to cure, said Mr. Dickson Mbugua, the chairman of Matatu Owners Association who are also partners in the micro insurance business. Mr. Mbugua urged all Matatu Welfare Association (MWA) members to join. These comprise the drivers and touts in the public sector and other workers in the transport sector, from boda boda operators to lorry drivers and the rest. These people work long hours under strenuous circumstances, performing basic, essential services. Mr. Elvis Ackel also believed that theres need to take care of the financial needs of people working in the transport sector through inclusivity and socially protection pillar. We are very grateful for the insurance company for coming up with this type of initiative for our aid, said Mrs. Risper Mutie, a widow who works as a tout. I normally find it hard waking up as early as 5 a.m. to go to the touting job only to be handcuffed by police for committing offence. At times, I face hurdles when I have funeral since I am the only person responsible to cater for all the expenses, explained Risper, a Kibera slum resident. Referring to the fire outbreaks in the slums which led to displacement, e.g. Sinai and Mathare fire outbreaks, Elvis believes theres a demand for social protection among the poor. Most of the families affected whose loved ones died and lost properties are mostly forced to start from scratch but I believe Tumaini ya Jamii micro insurance cover will accommodate every affected victim and will at least have somewhere to start from, said Elvis. Tumaini ya Jamii is a combined family protection cover. It covers three main risks: fire and allied perils for household assets; disability or any accident that may rise as a result of fire outbreak; and funeral expense support for all the insured members. The program is spreading rapidly in different Nairobi informal settlements including, Mathare, Kibera, Kawangware, Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Mukuru Kwa Njenga among others. In order to reach the slum areas and make the residents feel part of it, we have partnered with UMANDE TRUST, Elvis Added. UMANDE TRUST is a non. Cover option governmental organization operating in poor urban areas providing bio-sanitation services, including clean drinking water. These are again basic but essential services and core to the communities living around the bio centers. These centers will not only act as distribution and claims management points but more specifically act as capacity building and knowledge centers. All members who successfully apply for the cover are all given membership cards and are entitled to premiums. Premiums are paid through mobile money payments or at any post office for the other members of the public. The claims are also payable within 48 hours maximum and will be managed effectively through respective partners. Basic documentation such as chiefs letters and burial permits is devoid of cumbersome claims procedures normally witnessed in conventional business.

Patrick Tumbo(center) CEO Jubilee Insurance, Sammy Makove CEO IRA and Dickson Mbugua the matatu owners association chairman. During the launch of Tuamaini ya jamii micro insurance.
Photo: David Otieno

By: David Otieno

Jubilee Insurance, in partnership with Citadel Insurance Company, have announced the Tumaini ya Jamii program, in which slum residents can insure themselves and their property for Ksh 450 per year. The perception people have that insurance is only meant for the rich should not be the case, said Mr. Elvis Ackel, C.E.O of Citadel Insurance Agency. Tumaini ya Jamii has no boundary and it welcomes every Kenyan

whether the rich or the poor. Tumaini ya Jamii micro insurance offers protection for low income families against specific problems in exchange of premium payment which is proportionate to the likelihood and cost of the risks involved. Many Kenyans living in slum areas have been losing lives and properties worth millions of shillings, either through fire outbreakswhich are frequent in slumsfloods and other accidents. Despite the frequency of these accidents, the victims have

had no way of getting compensation. Mr. Ackel believes that Tumaini ya Jamii micro-insurance can provide affordable insurance for low income people to protect themselves from financial shocks of unpredictable events. The risks faced by the poor are no different from those encountered by rich. These groups of people are more vulnerable to such risks due to their very limited resource base, said Elvis. Jubilee Insurance C.E.O Mr. Patrick Tumbo urged Kenyans to take advantage of the microinsurance that was being launched because its very much afford-

The total amount to be paid in a year

3 4 5 6 100000 4200

450

Table showing types of cover,benefit payout andannual premium

1 2 Benefit pay out 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 Annual premium 450 850 1150 1650 2100

Divorced for not bearing a male child

According to Diana Ayabei, a clinician at SHOFCO clinic, many factors can lead to the birth of a girl. First, a child comes from God and every family should always know that. But on the question about who determines the gender of a foetus, the answer is a man, she explained. The generally accepted theory is that males determine the sex because males have both an X and Y chromosome, while females only have X chromosomes. The female contribution is constant and the males contribution varies which, under normal circumstances, determines the offsprings gender, she added. According to Diana, because male has XY chromosome, he has the vital role to play to determine the gender since he has both X- chromosome for baby girl and Y-chromosomes for baby boy. The gender can also be determined by what is called timing and here requires openness from the woman side. When a woman is ovulating, at this time, she is on the high side of attracting either Y or X chromosomes from a man when they have intercourse, she added. The genetic issue may also be a problem and therefore divorce should not be an option in such a case, says Diana.

Ghetto Mirror 6

APRIL 2014 ISSUE 10

Women protestors, protesting against gender based violence. Some demonise being divorced for not being able to bear male children. It has since seemed a norm among in the community. Photo: Ronald Calcano
From page 1
My mother was mocked and ridiculed for giving birth to a girl. My father started mocking my mother and soon enough, relatives, friends and neighbours followed suit. I remembered my uncle telling my father that, why do you have to waste resources on girls and their mother who will go and cant give birth to a baby boy? At this point, the husband threatened to leave her if she gave birth to another girl. According to Njoki, her paternal grandmother and aunts had suddenly assumed the roles of her worst enemies. She, however, suffered silently. She prayed to God to protect her children and to give sense to those people. Tears rolled down her cheek when she told me one of the incidences; the landlord came to ask for the rent and found her husband, who retorted, ....this is not my house, the owner of the house is coming! Giving birth to our last born, however, was the toughest phase of my mothers life, Njokis eldest daughter said. By this time, she was sure if it was not a boy, my father would leave her. He desperately wanted a boy, but to his utter disappointment, she gave birth to a baby girl. This was the beginning of a dark life of taunts, threats and despair for my mother and sisters. She said her father started ignoring them, even the uncles rejected them. This was a hard situation for the family and the girls stayed at home due to lack of school fees after finishing primary school. The gloom and sadness was evident on the faces of the family members. My husband was furious and blamed me entirely for giving birth to our last born as if giving birth to a girl was my choice. My paternal grandmother and aunts pushed for the divorce. All my relatives wanted my husband to leave me so that I could bestow my punishment in proportion with the crime I had committed of giving birth to yet another daughter. Njoki was divorced in 2007 and the husband got married to another woman. We, his very own daughters, were a stain on his reputation, said the daughter. We had stripped him of his honour and let him down, all because we were born girls. We would obviously grow up to be good-for-nothing burdens on his shoulders, mere liabilities or perhaps just bad luck. So, according to him, it was best that he left us and cut all ties. Pretending we dont exist is probably was the solution he resorted to and made his mind to leave mum and her four wild cats as he normally referred to us.

Ngumos undrying water

Water has been flowingthroughout the year from Ngumo Estate into Laini Saba towards the railway line in Kibera. It is difficult to tell whether it rained during the night or underground spring as the water flows daily for the last six years as noted by Beth Wambui, a resident and a business lady at Laini Saba. The water is clean and if correctly utilized, it can help solve water problems in the area. The residents believe that the source of the flowing water is plastic water pipes broken by vehicles, carts and passers-by. When the pipes are broken, wateris mixed with mud and sewage and therefore making the water

By: Erick Ouma & Kevin Ochieng

The number of children Njoki has at 40 with none being a male.

unsafe for human consumption. O c c a s i o n a l l y the pipes are repaired but no sooner than not the water flows again, I guess the owners have despaired with the repairs, Wambui further laments. Though there are numerous plastic water pipes of different sizes emerging from one angle to unknown directions, it is at times believed that the draining water comes directly from the water pipes that have been broken down by the heavy vehicles. Since it has taken place for over six years, no one can tell if there is a spring in the area. At times, mainly during morning hours, the place gets muddy, another resident complained. Vehicles move at high speed, hence splashing water on us and even our goods.

IRRESPONSIBLE LIFESTYLE
By: Erick Ouma

Belinda Achieng, 22 years old and a resident of Gatwekera vil lage in Kibera all her life, has a dream of a better life. But she faces many challenges. She has a men tal disability and ear problem. Belinda left primary school in class five and joined vocational training. She lives with her mother, Mary Adongo, and three of her cousins. Mary is currently working in a hotel in the Central Busi ness District which forces her to wake up very early to make it on time to work. We live five people, that is my mum, three cousins (my uncles children who are under the care of my mother) with my mother the sole bread winner, Belinda Achieng said. Achieng dropped out of school in 2003 in standard five at St. Charles Lwanga School. She could neither write nor read. She never wanted to waste her moth ers income. Her mother enrolled her in a tailoring course which she was also unable to complete. While still in college, my mother would send me to a mans house whom she claimed owed her some money for Chama. He occasionally took advantage of her mental state to have

A woman cooking mandazi just to ensure she makes a living, but doesnt seem to be caring about her environment. Children are playing around and is just behind a stream that has for a longtime served as a dumpsite for residents.
sexual intercourse without considering the repercussions. After realizing that Achieng was pregnant, her mother could not do anything as she knew very well the condition and mental state of her daughter. She however gave her the courage and support that she needed during the pregnancy and opted to bear the burden of caring for the new member despite her meager income. She is currently expect ing her second child in three months time. She doesnt know the whereabouts of the man responsible for the pregnancy. The man responsible for my second preg nancy came to our place numerously when he was in need of seeing me but immediately after he noticed I was pregnant, he stopped coming to our home. This has made me to conclude that he only wanted to use and dump me, Achieng added with tears rolling down her cheeks. Wanjera (not his real name) is a manual labourer at a changaa den in Kisumu Ndogo village. He decided not to take the responsibility as he too is hav ing a miserable life in the slum. Achieng is not mentally fit and at times she laughs in a very loud voice and this autoPhoto: David Otieno

matically tells me that she is disabled and to think that some men have indeed come and given her just a twen ty shilling coin to sleep with her without considering her mental state, is indeed irresponsible, said Esther Adhiambo, a close neighbour. She has an ear problem but since she lacks funds, she only visits the local free health centers for treatment when her problem arises. She cannot af ford to pay for advanced treat ment to solve the problem. She is slowly becoming deaf. My ears have been having this problem ever since my childhood and my mothers basic salary is not enough for her to take me to an advanced hospital for treatment. I can as well say thanks a lot to SHOFCO since it has brought some doctors for ear treatment to the community and many were assisted through that medica tion. I was helped though they were not properly treated and referred me for further specialized treatment. Achieng is capable of sewing and hopes to get her own sew ing machine to help her realize her dream of venturing into the fashion and design industry.

ID registration
By Mirror reporter
The government will register all Kenyans and non-Kenyans who are legally residing in the country in a national digital database as a measure of addressing security challenges and to stop cases of fake identification documents. Deputy President Hon. William Samoei Ruto said they will ensure that all Kenyans are safe and that the move will minimise criminals entering into the country. In order to address the prevailing security challenges, we intend to consolidate all current registers of persons into a single national register with accurate and relevant information, he said. With this move, all the information of an individual will be contained in one database. These will include the birth registration, personal identification number, Public Service Commission, National Social Security Fund and National Hospital Insurance Fund registers and voter registration among others. One will only require one identification document unlike now. It is a good move though it will cost the citizen much.

APRIL 2014: ISSUE 10

Digital migration postponed. Your Opinion

talking to the Ghetto Mirror said, I will use my television to watch movies from the compact disks and listen to music because the cost is too much for me. The government though has been making efforts to make the migration affordable and friendly to the low income earners. It had promised to issue a third broadcast signal distribution license through a competitive process. The license however, will be ring-fenced to restrict it to only local investors which is expected to lower the cost back to low income earners. The good news however, could be that not all set-top boxes are paid monthly. Consumers who may not want to subscribe to pay TV have the option of buying an approved free to air set-top box at a higher price though and be able to watch local channels for free. Consumers must exercise care when purchasing set-top boxes to avoid being duped by unscrupulous vendors who are out to make a quick buck. They should ensure that the set-top boxes or other digital receiving devices they are buying are original from the manufacturer and approved through Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK). Some of the advantages of digital signals are that they will increase the quality of the signals and images and sound will be very clear. Furthermore, there will be a number of channels to choose from as compared to analogue transmission

Ghetto Mirror 7

Name: Michael John Age: 20 yrs Occupation: Student I dont support because I will not be able to watch my favourite programs since I am not able to buy a set-top box. The cost of living has also gone up that this will add more burden to us.

Name: Rachel Ambassa Age: 24 yrs Occupation: Business lady I fully support the digital migration as it will increase the number of frequencies available to media houses. The Government should not backtrack on this issue but move forward with speed because the whole world is going digital.

Compact disks dimmed to sell as many residents have resolved to buy them as an alterantive since they cannot afford the set-top noxes.
from page 1
nal converter box costs at least Ksh. 1499 whereas the lowest monthly subscription fee is Ksh. 500. This according to the media houses is a burden to most of the residents living in Nairobi as they struggle with fending for their families as well as pay for television signals. According to some residents the moved had come in handy as the cost of living is steadily rising. I would like to go digital as the world is all digital, but I cannot manage to pay monthly

Photo: David Otieno

off by the respective media hous on December 26 2013 that had been the initial date set by the court after it had failed on its earlier date December 13. The media houses however reversed the move allowing residents enough time to comply. Switching from analogue to digital requires that each owner of a television set purchases a signal converter box for their television. The cheapest sig-

for viewing television, Mr. Phanuel Owino, a Kibera resident complained. He further added I am paying school fees for my children, paying rent, electricity and providing food for my family, this is too much for a common man. Whereas there are those who have already purchased the set top boxes while others wishing they could afford the set top boxes there are those that perhaps careless about the migration. Alice Molo a Mathare residents

Name: Wilberforce Aluda Age: 23 yrs Occupation: Security I strongly oppose this decision. We are still not ready to go digital. The government should give us more time to migrate or we should be left to migrate at our own pace and will.

Call: 0715830070

Ghetto Mirror

Passionate coach nurturing young Talents

and the main language used by residents of informal settlements especially among the youths. The academy currently has ten children from different informal settlements who are fully sponsored in terms of costumes, training facilities, equipment and training. Unlike those from well off families.The coach too pays for the mode of transport for those from low income eraning families just to ensure they get to the training ground. Players joining the academy are not picked randomly but scouted for. The academies scouts are sent out to look for fresh talent and passionate players especially from the slums and ask to recommend suitable ones. Mr. Olums love for the game and children has been the drive for him to perhaps invest in nurturing young talents. As I see children training, I see a world champion, efforts well earned, he said talking to the Ghetto Mirror. I was brought up in Kibera slum in Kisumu Ndogo village. I therefore do not want to see talents wasted and children taken advantage of by people who do not see their potential but only want to benefit themselves, I want to see them living up to their expectations, he added. Olum though doesnt do all the work by himself; he is helped by five experienced coaches who also share in his dreams of building the game through growing young talents. Mohammed Ibrahim, Kennedy Onyango, Felix Onyango, Yasin Ngurai and Eliakim. In a year, Express has three seasons. Each season takes a duration of twelve weeks. The twelve weeks are inclu-sive of school coaching and Saturday coaching. Most of the young soccer players from the slums meet on Saturdays from 9 oclock until 12 noon. During these meetings, the coaches helping Olum in running the academy are assigned different duties and different stages to handle. Coach Olums dream was to become Kenya international player but never came to be. However though he is very optimistic that through Express Soccer Academy the kids can make him live in his dreams. In return he has put all his effort to ensuring they play their best in order to see them join the Kenyan Premier League big clubs or even play abroad. As a matter of fact the young kids are all grateful for him. Morgan Tabu 13, is among those sponsored players told the Ghetto Mirror how grateful he was to the academy and the coach. Express Soccer Academy made me know what foot-

APRIL 2014: ISSUE 10

ball is, and I return my sincere gratitude to the coach for being with s and building us, he said. Other than the soccer academy coach Maurice Olum acts as the coach for both Hillcrest and Banda schools all in Karen and it was while acting as an intern coach in Banda that the idea of creating an academy crossed his mind. The academy though was only meant to nurture talents has ended up creating job opportunities for one lucky slum dweller, this is apart from offering training to their young kids. Most of the people who visit Hillcrest are from well established homes, I agreed to help one youth from the slum to sell soccer boots to the visitors of Hillcrest School. He brings the boots to the training ground and with the help of my wife Pholter Adhiambothe soccer boots are sold at an affordable prices, said Maurice.

A student From Express Soccer Acedmy shows off his skills during ther training session at Hillcrest Preparatory School in Karen.
By Daniel Mwanzia
I wanted to be an international player but due to unavoidable circumstances, my dream was not realized, said Mr. Olum. Maurice Olum a football coach who grew up in Kisumu Ndogo, a village in Kibera slum. He also featured for Kibera Golden F.C and Recymianto F.C during footballing career. In spite of not living in his dreams he wanted to achieve them, as a result founded a soccer academy Express

Reclaimed wasted land

Photo: Dennis Mwanzia Soccer Academy. The academy was started in 2011 as a stepping stone targeting young talented soccer player from low income families but mainly living in the slum. The soccer academy though is situated at Hillcrest Preparatory School in Karen most of the players are from slums and showing his love for the slum players, Mr. Olum came up with the motto of the academy, Cheza Boli a sheng word meaning Play Football. Sheng is a language formed by combining some English and Swahili words,

Coach Kennedy Onyanyo (right) wathces as Maurice Olum (in Red Jerseys) issues instructions to his players during a training a session in Karen Photo: Dennis Mwanzia

By: Mirror Correspondence All the teams that have been promoted to the various leagues have been urged to put up a spirited fight to ensure that they remain and continue mov ing up the league standings. The local residents noted that through this, they will show their talents to the outside world and the local players will also have a platform to showcase their tal ents as they participate in their own teams. These teams include SHOFCO FC, KIBRA UNITED FC, MT. ZION FC and LUCKY BOYZ FC which have been promoted to participate in the Nairobi County League. They join KIBERA CELTIC and other teams in the county league. This is a great opportunity for these young talents since they can be scouted by corporations that would in turn pay them better and provide a source of income to support their families. Furthermore, they will not engage in criminal activities which has been the case with many footballers from the slum and they end up be ing killed by the security men. The ladies teams should also be supported so that they can emulate their men counter parts by also working hard and then joining the league. If this will be achieved, then hopefully, Kenya will be a country of great soccer play ers; both men and womens teams. Federation of Kenyan Football (FKF) president, Mr. Sam Nyam weya, recently said that they will fully support womens football and will start the womens league to also run as the main league. This will be a boost to the wom en football which has been on the dark over the last years. This is the right direction that our country has taken.

Well done

Wasted land that Kenya Design Initiative (KDI) reclaimed and transformed into a social and rcreation facility center that also provides a meeting place to Photo: File the local residents
Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) s: /con-coo-ee/ is a Thai word meaning to know intimately. The organization transforms impoverished com munities by collaborating with residents to create low-cost, high-impact built environments (also referred to as Productive Public

Before

After

By: David Otieno & George Sakwa

Spaces) that improve their daily lives. Be gun in 2006, KDI is an innova tive international partnership specializing in the practices of architecture, engineering, landscaping and urban planning. KDI believes that par ticipatory planning and design are key to sustainable develop ment. By working collabora tively with communities from inception

through implemen tation, we build on their ideas, enhance them with technical knowledge and design innova tion, that connect them to external resources. Says Charles New man, the Country Director. In doing so, KDI empowers com munities to advocate for them selves and address the major physical, social, and economic

challenges they face. He added. I am very grateful to KDI for coming up with this ini tiative in our area, says Irene Ochieng, Commu nity coordinator. At a personal level Im very thankful be cause through KDI I secured a job and that enables me to feed my family since Im the sole breadwinner of the family. added Irene, a mother of two.

Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) partners with residents of impoverished areas to de velop and implement design solutions that improve physical, economic, and social aspects of life. We refer to the low-cost, high impact environments we cre ate Productive Public Spaces Productives Pub lic Spaces (PPS) are: 1. Formerly unus able and sometimes unsafe areas that become active pub lic spaces such as community meeting areas, vegetable gar dens, and micro-enterprise and recreation spaces, along with basic infrastructure (e.g. sanitation, bridges, walkways 2. Conceived, con structed and managed by the people who use them, in collaboration with lo cal and international partners 3. Income-gen erating, socially con structive, and sustainable 4. Projects that would otherwise not be realized through traditional channels

5. Targeted areas that employ strong design con cepts to create beautiful and aesthetic places 6. Catalysts by which communities improve the so cial, economic, and environ mental lives of their residents The KDI has 4 different projects in Kibera slum located at Lindi and Katwekera respectively. We normally work with orga nized groups based in the slums where we offer them opportunity to apply for our services there after the qualified groups are taken into consideration. explains Charles. Since we dont evict anyone from their residential ar eas we therefore consider groups who have not occupied public space, normally before we start building the projects, we fol low the legal process of acquir ing and developing land by liaising with relevant government departments, chiefs and local leaders. he added.

G hetto Mirror

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 issues affecting the residents of the informal settlements. All the work that goes into production of this newspaper is done by youths from the slums. Correspondence should be addressed to ghettomirrornews. You can also visit our facebook page: www.facebook for constant news updates, photos and video. News and advertisement: 0703 129 808