Don’t Miss the Sunrise

One of the most breath taking sights in the world is a sunrise. Many miss it because they are maybe surrounded by buildings that hinder their sight; others are usually asleep while some are not just looking. You look at life in Mathare or in any other slum and it is deplorable: hunger, fear and insecurity, rape, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, abortions, child abuse, hopelessness, HIV/AIDS, etc. Just looking at the houses and structures people live in paints a picture of a people forgotten by the world. But one thing very few seem to see is that behind all this are a people who are realizing that though everything seems to be against them they can beat the odds. These ones are rising up and giving it all they have got and they have begun to bring change to their lives and to Mathare. They are rising like the sun out of the darkness that has been and sight is breath taking. They might just be a handful right now but soon it will be hundreds and then thousands and hundreds of thousands. Lepta is determined to be counted among these. Do not allow your sight to be distracted by things around you. For those who have always wanted to do something about Mathare this is the time. Do not miss the sunrise.

Write to lepta.org@gmail.com

Incredible !

Reports coming in from Mathare indicate that police and other government administrators who just recently were ordering people to destroy their houses as they watched and who were beating up everyone in sight are now pouring in to rebuild the houses in Mathare. Residents from other areas who have never been to a slum and have been terrified to enter into one are streaming in with food, clothing and building materials. The residents of Mathare themselves are sharing with one another the little they have left. Criminals and hardcore Mungiki members and leaders are handing in their weapons and asking people to forgive them. They have even started giving money towards helping people construct their houses and put their lives back together. This has never happened before in Mathare and maybe never in any place in the world. Peace, hope and laughter have replaced the fear, despair and tears. The world that had seen the death and destruction in Mathare stands amazed at the sudden change. And like a chain reaction this change is moving across the city of Nairobi and into the whole country. Sworn enemies are embracing one another. It is truly incredible.

This has actually not happened but it is not impossible. It can happen if we pull together in prayer, love and support for the people of Mathare. Every one of us can do something to actualize this. Are you doing your bit to make this a reality? Join us for at least five minutes of prayer daily till the 30^th of June. To donate to Mathare and for other support please contact us through our email address at lepta.org@gmail.com

History of Mathare

Location

Mathare valley is situated in the northern part of Nairobi city. It covers an area of 157 hectares starting from Pangani slopes to Gitathuru river. The valley is enclosed by Pangani on the West. On the north it is enclosed by the police depot, Mathare primary school and Mathare mental hospital. To the south it borders Juja road that separates it from Eastleigh. To the east it borders Huruma estate.

How It Begun

Research by Helen G.B (1980) indicates that before 1950s Mathare valley was predominantly owned by Asians who used to extract stones (brown) for building. It was later allocated to carrier corps who had earlier been settled in today’s Kariokor market.

In the late 1950s it was dominated by “mau mau” freedom fighters who used to hide weapons and conduct oathing ceremonies there. There were only a few authorized houses in the area due to lack of proper sanitation and refuse disposal. After independence, there were many people who were left landless and without shelter and most of them came to Nairobi to look for employment. Unfortunately, there were no readily available jobs. This forced some to go back home while those who had no shelter and no land settled in Mathare valley that was government-unutilized land. They erected shanties that could be built at a minimal cost, to serve as shelters while still looking for employment. They also took casual work in industries and building construction sites. Some started brewing commercial changaa and busaa (illicit brews). Others started small food kiosks, green grocers and hawking. Another group which inhibited the area since independence are youngsters who migrated from rural areas to Nairobi, in search of jobs. They were frustrated by lack of employment in industries and constructions sites. They could not afford to pay more costly houses in other estates and hence they settle in slums where cheap houses were readily available. Some of the group who never went back to rural areas started small businesses in slums, others engaged in illegal brewing and selling of illicit brews, bhang, others took up robbery with violence, while others took up prostitution.