Author Archives: daveboni

Burundi Steve’s Smokies…

By any measure it’s a protracted safari from Burundi to Kibera and at around 1200 matatu kilometres is an arduous achievement. Barely breaching his twenties, Steve had left his family and the Burundi challenges to make the long trek solo in search of the bright lights and financial illusions of the Nairobi metropolis. Realistically thatContinue reading “Burundi Steve’s Smokies…”

Long Rains and Hair Spray…

Confusion and the stubborn non-compliance of former climate patterns are a daily reality to Kibera residents. Climate change is a fact; presidential hair spray and coal washing are ridiculous irrelevancies when standing knee deep in the aromatic consequences of the longer dry season, informal surface sewers and the current fluvial overload. Conforming to geographic principles,Continue reading “Long Rains and Hair Spray…”

Shylock’s Phoenix…

Devastating fires occur with alarming regularity on the Kibera slum. Informally acquired mains power and open charcoal stoves conspire with densely packed shacks and kiosks constructed mainly of branch wood. Conflagration is inevitable and this time it was Toi market’s turn. An essential business node that allow Kibera’s residents to trade and maintain a levelContinue reading “Shylock’s Phoenix…”

Riding the Matatu…

It is conceivable that the Swahili word ‘tatu’ referred to the one time three shilling standard fare, is now more likely to indicate ‘always room for three more’.  The maximum advertised passenger vehicle capacity is always a minimum. Boarding the Matatu is a chaotic endeavour. Conductors hustle passengers, negotiate fares and communicate with the driversContinue reading “Riding the Matatu…”

The Bank of Kibera…

Financial services are naturally reluctant to venture too close to Kibera as the possibilities and pickings are rather slim. On the more driveable and part metaled roads Equity and Coop Bank branches have taken residence amongst the formalised, better constructed business that have established roots in fortified former grand-by-Kibera-standards houses. Security heavily beefed up andContinue reading “The Bank of Kibera…”

Whipping the Dog…

In common with the International scout ground, the private Moi Girls boarding school ground shares part of its boundary with the sprawling unplanned metropolis of Kibera.  For the most part this is not regarded as a problem as rigorous fencing and 24 hour manned security protects and maintains the inequalities and the status quo.  WhilstContinue reading “Whipping the Dog…”

Growing Pains…

Settling into the ‘Emirates’ Hope School building has not been without its challenges. Requisite construction techniques outpace the realisation; the deviation from original concept and design resulted in an internal latrine waste pipe terminating stubbornly in solid concrete. Releasing and rerouting the malodorous contents using pick axes were no impediment to teaching and learning. NorContinue reading “Growing Pains…”

The Bijou Barber…

Formal employment rates in Kibera are predictably miniscule and the near zero government support necessitates entrepreneurial activity just to survive. Whilst the proximity of the Nairobi Metropolis provides an unsteady demand for low-skill low-cost labour, the slum businesses are stunted by nano-access to reasonably priced credit from the formal institutions whilst the ‘Shylock’ lenders back-fillContinue reading “The Bijou Barber…”

The Red Cross and Will’s House…

Nuzzling the putrid river boundaries of the informal Kibera chaotic sprawl are a good number of modest land plots on government 99 year leases being sold to the bolder developers and entrepreneurs.  The relatively high land prices forces builds skywards, testing rudimentary concrete moulding skills, bamboo scaffolding and the laws of physics way beyond theContinue reading “The Red Cross and Will’s House…”