By Kwach Abonyo
Walking into Nairobi’s major slums, the sight of sprawling waste, disorganised makeshift shelters, and the overwhelming stench of poor sanitation will welcome you first.
These features, unfortunately, have come to define the slums in the minds of many. The prevailing narrative is one of hopelessness, a belief that such areas are doomed to remain chaotic, dirty, and uninhabitable. But what if this perception could change? Could a slum, despite its challenges, transform into a clean, organised, and liveable space?
Sceptics often blame these dire conditions on political mismanagement, resource misuse, and systemic poverty. While these factors hold weight, a closer examination reveals that many of the slums’ issues are self-inflicted, arising from attitudes and practices within the community. Take hygiene, for instance; this is a fundamental concept we are introduced to as children. Cleanliness, we are taught, starts with the individual. Yet, in slums, this lesson seems to have been overshadowed by a culture of apathy.
Many residents approach sanitation with a passive mindset, leaving it to the government to address issues that could begin at the household level. This lack of personal responsibility has led to the sanitation crisis. For many, cleaning their compounds is seen as someone else’s responsibility, a mindset that perpetuates the cycle of poor hygiene. The result is an environment where neglect and carelessness thrive, further deepening the challenges of slum life.

Access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and proper hygiene practices—collectively known as WASH—remains a significant challenge for thousands of residents in Nairobi’s major slums. Areas such as Kibra, Mathare, Korogocho, and Mukuru face the adverse effects of these issues, which impact the overall health of the community and jeopardize the growth and survival of children and adolescents, who make up nearly half (41%) of Nairobi’s population.
A 2020 report from USAID’s Health Evaluation and Applied Research Development (HEARD) project indicated that about 75% of slum dwellers purchase water from kiosks, while only 3% have access to public taps. Additionally, the available water is often contaminated and requires treatment before use; however, many households cannot afford the fuel needed to boil it. The report reveals that most water pipes carrying clean water run alongside broken sewer lines. When these pipes burst, residents are forced to consume with contaminated water.
To tackle this issue, we must first define what overall contamination entails. The report indicates that the root cause lies in inadequate waste management practices prevalent in slums, which have become a significant challenge in various areas of Nairobi. It is crucial to recognise that this problem stems from the government’s failure to implement effective policies and guidelines for waste management, augmented by insufficient funding and infrastructure.
In Kibera, for instance, residential toilets are often pit latrines that rarely exceed 15 meters in depth. As these latrines fill up over time, residents have limited options. The only other toilets available are those constructed by NGOs and self-help groups, which often charge fees. Residents unable to afford these facilities are compelled to use plastic bags for defecation, discarding them in ditches along the roadside or as far away as possible.
One in three people considers these “flying toilets” the main method of waste disposal. The discarded plastic bags frequently block drainage systems and pathways, resulting in pressure buildup and subsequent bursts. All of these factors, whether directly or indirectly, contribute to the ongoing hygiene crisis.
Poor sanitation has led to diseases that have, tragically, resulted in fatalities within the slums. Aside from poor toileting, waste management is a significant problem. Illegal dumping cannot solely be blamed on the government; it stems from public attitudes, misconceptions, and behaviours. Residents have developed a habit of disposing of waste in open spaces, drainage systems, or nearby water bodies.
This practice contributes to the overall contamination in the slums. One could argue that the lack of sufficient waste collection points, which is partly the government’s responsibility, has intensified the issue.
Although Kenyan law provides for proper waste management, enforcement in slums has been minimal. In Mathare, residents dispose of waste carelessly, seemingly unconcerned about the impact, and it is almost shocking to learn that no one cares whether it lands on their doorstep or the roofs of their houses. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that enhancing proper hygiene is more a responsibility of the community than of the government.
This may sound like a far-fetched dream, but communities in other parts of the world are proving it is possible. Take, for instance, Rocinha, the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Once notorious for its poor living conditions, Rocinha has seen remarkable improvements, thanks to the self-organized efforts of the community.

Residents, without waiting for government intervention, formed neighbourhood groups to collect and sort garbage, created recycling initiatives, and conducted clean-up drives. Informal networks educated locals about waste disposal practices, while community-led infrastructure, like makeshift drainage systems, helped manage sanitation.
Their collective action fostered a cleaner environment without government effort. Recently, they have launched collective initiatives to manage waste, maintain cleaner public spaces, and upgrade basic infrastructure.
Similarly, Khuda Ki Basti in Karachi, Pakistan, which was once globally ridiculed for its poor conditions, has emerged as a model of transformation. Residents addressed waste management and cleanliness through innovative, community-driven strategies. They established local committees to oversee waste collection and segregation, employing informal waste collectors to gather and recycle usable materials.
Organic waste was often composted for agricultural purposes, thereby reducing reliance on landfills. Awareness campaigns within the community educated residents about hygiene and waste reduction practices. By pooling resources and fostering cooperation, they created a self-sustaining waste management system that effectively addressed their needs without depending on government support.
This approach not only enhanced cleanliness but also empowered the community to take ownership of their environment.
It may seem inappropriate to compare how different countries address slum-related challenges due to varying external factors. However, it is good to acknowledge that a well-coordinated effort within a community can achieve significant improvements, regardless of situational conditions. The benefits of such efforts outweigh the required input.
Environmental hygiene begins at the individual level before expanding to the community and beyond. If slum residents do not take the initiative to improve hygiene and sanitation within their areas, it is unlikely anyone else will. These residents are the ones most affected by the consequences of poor sanitation and are, therefore, best positioned to take action to mitigate these risks.
Not all initiatives require financial backing to be effective. Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) have proven that organised, collaborative efforts can significantly impact the broader community without the need to generate income. Some Nairobi slums have already embraced this approach, mobilizing residents to address these challenges.

For instance, in Korogocho, Komb Green Solutions has spearheaded efforts to create green spaces and promote environmental conservation. Similarly, in Kibra, Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) has made strides by distributing clean water and encouraging residents to maintain a clean environment. Such initiatives, if replicated starting at the most basic residential levels, could bring about substantial improvements.
Coordinating hygiene and sanitation efforts across entire communities would likely reduce health risks, improve living conditions, and create a more sustainable environment. It is imperative that slum residents in Nairobi take decisive action to address these challenges. Progress is attainable, but it requires collective commitment and responsibility at all levels.
About the Author

A graduate teacher by profession, Kwach Abonyo is the Founder – SADU-Community, a CBO whose primary concern is create mental health awareness and addiction among youth in Kawangware, Nairobi. As a reformed addict and mental illness survivor, he uses his agency to speak on mental health, addiction, environmental health and youth empowerment.
He is a passionate writer, and prospective author.