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Shining Hope for Communities FREE hetto Mirror Do not buy G April 2017 Real life stories from the slums

ISSUE 40 Ghetto Mirror @Ghettomirror_KE ghettomirroronline.wordpress.com [email protected] Fresh Start for Kuwinda Slum Governor Dr. Evans Kidero donates six million shillings for residents to rebuild their homes The slum has burnt down thrice but this was the worst in its history. KUWINDA By Mirror Reporter

<<>> The fire started at 11.30pm on Wednesday 29th March after a lit candle fell on a mattress. The flames were spread by gas cylinder explosions. <<>> A total of 308 houses were burnt down in the midnight fire. One blind woman was killed and 2000 people were left homeless. <<>> The Wednesday fire was the third in the slum. The other fires were in 1991 and 1995. <<>> Governor Evans Kidero donated six million shillings for rehabilitation of the slum.

Residents of Kuwinda Slum are a happy lot after they received a five million shillings donation which will enable them rebuild their houses which were razed down by a massive fire three weeks ago. Continued on page 3

Do you know any survivor of Gender Based Violence? Report all forms of gender violence. Call Defilement? Domestic? Rape? ... 0703 445 737 ... ISSUE 40 Ghetto Mirror | 2 APRIL 2017 We welcome comments and letters on the stories we publish. Send your email to [email protected]. TALKING POINT You can also drop your letters at our offices in Gatwekera near PAG Church. Slum fires point to a deeper issue in society n January this year, residents of ’sLindi ward were rendered homeless after a huge fire burnt down their houses. The fire reportedly started in a food Ikiosk before quickly spreading to other houses. This was the first fire in Kibera this year. There have since been at least three other fires in different parts of the slum. In March, a fire in ’s 4A area burnt down more than 70 houses after a cooking stove is said to have exploded. One person was seriously injured in the incident. Come early April and Kuwinda slum in Karen was nearly wiped out by a huge fire which burnt down almost all the houses in the slum, killing one personand leaving more than 2000 people homeless. Before the smoke could settle in Kuwinda, another dawn fire was reported in Nairobi’s Gikomba market in Kamukunji which destroyed millions worth of property. These are just a handful of fires which have occurred in different slums in Nairobi just this year. Indeed fires are accidents which occur unexpectedly. However, the large number of fires breaking out in slums and informal settlements is disturbing. What’s worse is that the fires are now leaving casualties and fatalities behind. In Kibera slum, most fires are blamed on illegal electricity connections while in Gikomba market the fires are blamed on arson attacks. Could these fires be telling us something? Perhaps they are pointing to a deeper issue within the society. Sadder still, in almost all these incidents the fire rescue teams are unable to get to the scene fast enough because of lack of access roads. It is now time to sit and critically analyze why there are so many fires in slums, The High Cost of Unga is Alarming where they originate from and what measures can be taken to stop them before a By Kaluki Katanai In 2011, the ‘unga revolution’ upwards. Milk is selling between bigger inferno claims more lives. rallies hit the streets again, with Ksh55 and Ksh70 up from the n a country where maize Kenyans in different parts of the city previous Ksh45. flour is a staple commodity, protesting the high cost of living. What is obvious is that the poor Quote of the month Ithe skyrocketing prices of What is common about the are suffering from these prices. maize meal flour are a real cause for price increments is that with each Many Kenyans are still living under concern. different government that comes to one dollar per day, meaning that This considering that majority power, prices of basic commodities they cannot even purchase a pint of Progress is impossible of poor people, especially those hit the roof. milk without feeling the pinch. living in slums and rural areas rely 2017 being an election year The situation is made worse by on ugali made from maize meal means that things may not be too the prevailing drought which means without change, and those flour for their daily meals. different from the past. that even vegetables are expensive. This is not the first time the cost Perhaps with the new As it stands, Kenyans need to of flour has hit the roof; in 2006, government will come new price come together and stage another who cannot change their there were the popular ‘Unga for hikes? rally; however this time the 30/-’ campaign rallies after prices of It seems that 2011 was the last revolution needs to be felt strongly basic commodities like flour, sugar time there was a demonstration enough if at all any change is to be minds cannot change and bread were increased without about the high cost of living. made. explanation. This year, things have become At the time, the cost of a pack of worse. Maize flour is now retailing Kaluki Katanai is a anything. 2kg flour had increased from Ksh27 between Ksh140 and Ksh160 while correspondent of the to Ksh45. wheat flour is retailing from Ksh145 Ghetto Mirror George Bernard Shaw YOUR SAY A publication of Shining Hope For Communities New Policies Needed to Deal with Youth Unemployment nemployment is the there is still need for policies to make sure they eventually break Editor main problem faced which encourage and support even. Joyce Mutheu Uby youth in slums entrepreneurship. For instance, a good idea is and informal settlements in most The informal sector is currently to create an incubator system countries, as young people bear the the biggest employer of youth in whereby funds are set aside with Layout & Design brunt of poor economies and bad , yet it is rarely considered the expectation of helping young Owino Paul leadership by being sidelined when by financial institutions in termsof investors take baby steps in their it comes to employment. financial capital in form of loans and business start-ups. Illustrations Walking through the slums of credit. We also need to update our Grandsan Nairobi, you will often see many training to bring youth up to speed Contributors unemployed youth sitting idly Capital deficiency with current trends so that graduates Philip Ocheche, Jane Macharia, Fred Maingi, chatting away or engaging in casual can be marketable in the global Felix Omondi, Gerald Otieno, Rehema Zaid, labour in exchange for a few coins. As a result, many start-ups market. Adan Ibrahim & Liz Otieno Youth comprise a large end up closing shop even before In the words of former US percentage of the world population their first birthday due to capital President Barack Obama, “Change and now a good number of them deficiency. will not come if we wait for some Technical Assistance have resorted to self-employment Apart from stimulating other person or some other time. We in the informal sector to eke out a Albanous Gituru & Rose Adera economies to absorb more people are the ones we’ve been waiting for living. in company and government jobs, and we are the change that we seek.” However, there are many youth the government should find ways E-mail: [email protected] succeeding in the informal sector, of financing and nurturing start-ups James Lovi - Kibera ISSUE 40 APRIL 2017 Ghetto Mirror | 3 Fresh start for Kuwinda residents Gathoni where they are receiving year. temporary shelter as they await Shile’s house was among the reconstruction of the upgraded those which were burnt down and village. everything, including her two The remaining five families sisters’ school books and uniform, which were sheltered by the PCEA were left in ashes. church left the temporary shelter a Her sisters are living temporarily week ago. with their aunt in Gataka slum, The Kuwinda slum landlords’ , as they wait to move back committee later met and resolved home. “Where can we go? This is to allow only a few residents back the only place we know,” says Shile once the upgrading project is as she wipes a tear from her eye. completed in order to weed out the In the new slum upgrading said criminals. project, houses will be constructed This poses a challenge for in storeys to pave way for service those who wish to return but cannot lanes which are accessible by because for most teenagers and vehicles in case of emergency. infants, this was the only place they But even as the county Residents of Kuwinda slum in temporary tents donated by the Kenya Red Cross after fire razed knew as home. government sets out in this project, down their homes. (Cover photo) Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero presents Ksh6 million “I came here in 2014 to join a pending court case between the cash to Rev. Dr. Alphonce Kanga of PCEA Church. (Below) Molly Shile views the remains of my family. My mother has lived in owner of the 2.5 acre plot and the what was their home. Photos | Joyce Mutheu this slum for more than 10 years,” current 13 landlords will determine From page 1 Kenya Red Cross, which set Church Elder at the Presbyterian says 19-year old Molly Shile who whether Kuwinda slum is here to up camp at the PCEA Church Church in Kuwinda, the fire tragedy completed secondary school last stay or if it is a passing cloud. The donation by Nairobi County neighboring the slum, confirmed opened up the slum for opportunities Governor Evans Kidero will be that one person had died and 388 such as the upgrading project which channeled towards the construction families displaced by the fire. will be done with the monetary of upgraded houses in the slum to This is the third time Kuwinda contributions. replace the cheap iron-sheet and slum has experienced a fire tragedy. Another positive factor is that wood structures which were there The first was in 1991 and the second the fire exposed hideouts which had before. in 1995. previously been used to sell and Almost the entire slum was However, the recent tragedy distribute narcotics and hard drugs razed down by a night fire after a was the worst because almost all like bhang. candle fell on a mattress as people residents were left homeless. Not only that, the slum was also were sleeping. notorious for commercial sex work The owner of the house was Mixed feelings and petty crime. Members of the unable to contain the fire as she was slum landlord’s committee vowed drunk, therefore the fire spread to The burning down of Kuwinda to bar the criminals from relocating other houses, fuelled by several gas slum has left mixed feelings among to the slum once construction is cylinder explosions. squatters who used to live there, completed. In the inferno, one blind woman their landlords and their neighbors The squatters who were was killed as she was unable to in the affluent Kuwinda area in displaced have since relocated to make her way out of the burning Karen. other slums and villages like Gataka, structures. According to Joel Njoroge, a Em Bulbul, Karindi and kwa 2017/2018 Budget a Blessing for the Poor because it is an election year. Kenyans in low- Highest ever income households This year’s budget reached a total of Ksh2.6 Trillion, which is the to benefit the most highest ever recorded amount for the national budget. from this year’s CS Rotich further announced that the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) tax national budget has been expanded by 10 percent meaning the lowest taxable income has increased to 13,486 per month from the previous 12,260 per month. NATIONAL Personal relief has also been increased by 10 percent from 15,360 per year to 16,896per year. By Mirror Reporter This means the take-home income is slightly higher and ow income earners employees now have a little more and people from poor money in their pockets. households are the Aside from cash disbursements, L Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury Mr. Henry Rotich outside the national treasury building biggest beneficiaries of this year’s the government is also putting in national budget, thanks to new on his way to present the 2017/2018 budget statement. place new systems and mechanisms Photo | Courtesy budgetary allocations which will see to improve its key priority areas them take home a big chunk of the cash allowance paid through million to run their programs and Programme. which include health, education, national cake. the government’s cash transfer activities. These announcements were agriculture and the Constituency Among the biggest beneficiaries programme. Besides this, the governmnet made by the Cabinet Secretary Development Fund (CDF). are the elderly over 70 years Another happy lot are people has allocated Ksh20 billion for state for National Treasury, Mr. For instance to improve who will now receive free health with disability (PWDs) who will cash transfers which will benefit Henry Rotich, who presented the delivery of health services in public insurance through the National also receive free NHIF cover. more than 1 million households with 2017/2018 budget to parliament on hospitals, the government has Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) as The National Development Fund elderly people, orphans, vulnerable 30th March. The budget is often provided specialized equipment and paid by the government. for persons with disabilities has also children and people with disabilities presented in June of every year but manpower in hospitals across the They will also receive a monthly been allocated an extra Ksh400 under the National Safety Net this year it was presented earlier country. | ISSUE 40 Ghetto Mirror 4 APRIL 2017 Made in Kibera Concert of Kibera artistes, the biggest slum in Africa, as a platform tomarket their talent worldwide. Musicians were represented by veterans like Virusi Mbaya, Natty Ngwai Konshanz and upcoming musicians including Shanique and The Maskas Clan Musiq among others. Churchill Show comedians Natty Chwani Mammito and Red Pro Fate tickled the crowd with their ever-hilarious KIBERA jokes while Gigi Spice emceed the event. By Felix Mutinda The concert was aimed at showcasing talented artistes in The much anticipated Made Kibera while motivating upcoming in Kibera live concert finally went artistes to polish their gifts and down atLaini Saba grounds, and as network with the old-timers. A group of Mathare youth who completed training in making environmentally-friendly bags. expected it did not disappoint. The event culminated in the The crowd began gathering launch of Made in Kibera Studio Photo by Liz Otieno early in the morning for what had which is located at Mashimoni. 22-year old Henry Gitimu is one sold. been hyped for weeks as Kibera’s The studio will enable artistes, MATHARE of the youth engaged in the program Gitimu says making the bags biggest meet up of talents. especially musicians from Kibera, to By Liz Otieno which started in February this year. is a lucrative business venture Made in Kibera is a movement produce their tracks at a subsidized “Our main objective is to because raw materials are cheap and created last year to unify the voices cost compared to other studios. s the government was change people’s minds and attitudes available, the labour used is minimal banning the use of by encouraging them to use bags and the returns are high. Apolythene paper bags in made of materials which will leave Making one bag takes about TRENDS | What's trending in your hood Kenya last month, a group of young the environment clean instead of five minutes and the group makes men in Mathare were learning a new polythene paper bags,” says Gitimu. approximately 100 bags in a day. skill that will help them cash in on He says the bags are easy to The bags are made in different the ban. make and convenient to use. sizes, with the big ones carrying a Bags which Love the Environment Nganya - Rugged The youth make bags from They use craft papers to make maximum capacity of 2kgs while biodegradable materials like brown the body of the bag. the smaller ones carry a maximum craft paper, sisal ropes and banana The papers are cut according capacity of 1kg. fiber which they then sell to their to different sizes, folded and glued After sales, the group saves up clients. together. 50 percent of their earnings, uses 25 The group was brought together The handles are then made from percent of the income to purchase by Ghetto Foundation which rolls of paper, glue and ropes woven more stock while the remaining carries out various training and from sisal or banana fiber. 25 percent is divided amongst the empowerment programs in the After assembling the bags, they members as wages. sprawling Mathare slum. are then branded with calligraphy Fashion - Dera Music - Muziki depending on the client’s likes and

one on one: ArrowVee changing the society and also MATHARE testimony to other youth about the Lord’s greatness. reaching more youth in the By Felix Omondi slums with the gospel of the GM: How many songs have Lord is what motivates me. GM: You have risen very fast you released so far? in Mathare’s gospel music ArrowVee: I have five songs in GM: What are some of the scene; tell us about your total; Si sote, Niko point, Amani challenges you face as an musical journey. Kenya, Papa Forgive them and artiste? ArrowVee: I have been in the Mizizi. ArrowVee: Getting airplay for music industry for the past seven my music in radio stations has years. I started singing in the GM: Mizizi is already causing been quite difficult and recording year 2010 as member of a secular a stir on the airwaves, what is quality music is expensive. music group called J-Stars. so special about it? It is also a challenge to land ArrowVee: The song is meant opportunities to perform in Then in the year 2012 I broke to give hope to people in the events as a new artiste. off to pursue a career as a gospel ghetto that they can rise up from musician. their unlucky background to GM: What are your future prosperity. plans? GM: Why did you switch to ArrowVee: I am in the process gospel music? It was produced by Jacky B, I of launching an organization ArrowVee: I looked into my released it in April last year and called Balcones Music Family life and saw how far the Lord I plan to release the video this which aims to nurture children had brought me through many year. in Mathare who have special difficulties to success. talents. GM: What’s your source of Very soon I will also release a Therefore I switched to gospel inspiration? new song titled Nimeyashinda music so as to use my life as a ArrowVee: The thought of featuring Guardian Angel. ISSUE 40 APRIL 2017 Ghetto Mirror | 5 ISSUE 40 Ghetto Mirror | 6 APRIL 2017 Pic Speak

Beryl Arogo, an officer from the Nairobi Gender Violence Recovery Centre A bowl of tomatoes in Kibera Olympic market. One tomato is currently being (GVRC) speaks to a client at a Legal Aid Clinic in Kamukunji grounds, Kibera. sold for Ksh10 as high commodity prices force people to dig deeper into their Photo Adan Ibrahim pockets. Photo | Adan Ibrahim

US Embassy outreach coordinator, public affairs sections Ms Rukiya Mwinyi Members of the SHOFCO Gender deparment listen to a client during a Legal joins hands with a child to plant a tree during the Nairobi Peace Ambassadors Aid Clinic in Gatwekera.The clinic was aimed at providing members of the Caravan at in Nairobi. Photo | Rehema Zaid community with important information on gender issues. Photo | Adan Ibrahim BUSINESS Female Barber Taming the Beards of Men hundreds of clients, most of whom with customers who think they can KAYOLE have become regulars. negotiate for very low amounts By Gerald Otieno Winfred however mentions that because the services are being offered it was not easy starting the business by a woman. Not only that, Winfred n Obama estate of Kayole slum because of the perception that a woman discloses that there are male clients at the place popularly known cannot become a ‘proper barber.’ who often seduce her in the guise of Ias ‘junction’, is Hayley’s “I ignored this intimidation and having a haircut, something which Barbershop. focused on mymain objective which annoys her. The small one-roomed barbershop was to run a successful barbershop,” Despite the challenges, she with white-coloured walls and a blue she says. She also made sure to select has a dream of expanding her door is a regular stop-over for many her friends who she says have helped small barbershop into a bigger and men who want their beards trimmed her to build a successful brand. modernized beauty parlor. and their heads shaved. The mother of one is now a She also uses her shop as a platform However, out of several similar manager, having employed two staff to encourage youth, especially ladies barbershops which line this street, to assist with the workload. She opens that it is possible to become financially Hayley’s has a special aspect which the barbershop early every morning independent and to realize any dream. makes it a favourite for many clients. and closes late in the night, having “If you have an idea, you need to The barbershop is owned and manned served both new and regular clients. work very hard at it. Don’t give up by a woman. She says the most interesting part hope and take the initiative to jump Winfred Wanjera, the owner of of her work is seeing a new customer’s at the opportunities which come your the barber’s, is a confident and social reaction when he realizes that she is way. Remember that your greatness lady who had mastered how to use a the barber. lies within you,” she says. shaving machine to the pleasure of her “Huwa wananiuliza wapi kinyozi, Winfred draws inspiration for her clients. nikiwaambia ni mimi wanashangaa!” work from her young daughter. When Winfred says she has always been (They often ask where the barber is, she is not busy shaving a beard or passionate about beauty, a factor which when I tell them that it is me they get making a haircut, you will often find motivated her to open the barbershop surprised!”) She laughs. the two travelling, reading or dancing, two years ago. However for her, the most which she says are her favorite Winfred Wanjera shaving a client. Photo | Gerald Otieno Since then, she has served challenging part is bargaining prices pastimes. ISSUE 40 APRIL 2017 Ghetto Mirror | 7 Tuberculosis TB:Child-friendly Drug Makes Treatment Stress-free the results. KIBERA Initially, Lewis had been diagnosed with tonsillitis and was given antibiotics for his symptoms By Veronica Kaveza which included fever and a swelling on his neck. reating children suffering Unfortunately, he did not from tuberculosis (TB) is respond to treatment and the Tnow an easy and stress- swelling became bigger. free process, thanks to the new Eventually Wamaitha was friendly TB medicines for children. directed to go for further treatment The new drugs were introduced at Kiambu District Hospital where in October last year by the Ministry her son was diagnosed with TB. He of Health (MOH), making Kenya the was put on treatment immediately. first country in the world to introduce “The treatment process has been child friendly TB medicines. easy. My son takes the medicine The child-friendly drugs were with comfort and I come to the introduced in an effort to reduce clinic for weekly checkups.” the number of TB deaths among “The swelling on my baby’s children. neck has disappeared, he has added This comes as the number of TB The Director for Medical Services Jackson Kioko displays the diluted TB drug for children after more weight and his feeding has deaths stands at 140,000 children per its launch last year. Kenya is the first country in the world to have the child-friendly drug. improved,” says Wamaitha. year which translates to 400 deaths Photo | courtesy Dr. Mungai urges parents to per day, according to data from the confuse TB with other ailments rate of treatment in children, leading children will now take two tablets be aware of TB symptoms in their World Health Organization. which have similar symptoms. to a high number of deaths. which are diluted in water. children. Further statistics show that at “The biggest challenge we get By introducing the child- This is taken daily for the six- She says that if a parent has TB, least one million children get sick in diagnosing children with TB is friendly medicines, it is hoped month treatment cycle required for their children will most likely be with TB every year. that the symptoms that the deaths full treatment of TB. infected especially if the parents do Initially, children with TB were are similar to TB SYMPTOMS IN will significantly Dr Mungai says that the new not take safety precautions. treated using the adult dose of pills pneumonia,” says CHILDREN reduce while also medicines are a great relief for “I urge parents to bring their which parents had to break into Dr. Elizabeth encouraging parents children because they have reduced children for TB testing, especially smaller doses, crush, mix with water Mungai of Kiambu • Fever to complete the the pill burden and have minimal children below five years because then give the child. District Hospital. entire treatment side effects. they have low immunity,” she However this process was Unfortunately, • Cough cycle. Moreover, parents have an easy stresses. tedious and risky because the parent most parents do • Low weight gain The medicines time because chopping or crushing Aside from the child-friendly could either overdose or under-dose not know the • Lethargy are fixed dose is not necessary. drugs, the country has also acquired the child. symptoms of TB, combinations Children rarely vomitor refuse a gene expert machine which is Moreover, the drugs have a bad which makes the • Reduced playfulness (FDCs) which to take the drugs because they have able to detect TB at an early stage taste which would often discourage situation worse. • Cough for more than contain the proper a nice fruity flavor. and identify if the patient has drug children from taking them. According to 1 week doses for children Sarah Wamaitha, mother of two resistant TB. Another big challenge in the Dr. Mungai, these of multiple drugs. year-old Lewis has been giving her Screening and treatment of TB treatment of TB in children was factors contributed • No response to Instead of child the new TB drugs for the past is free in all public hospitals. misdiagnosis by doctors who to the high failure antibiotics taking eight pills, four months and she is happy with

Government to Use School Going Children to Fight TB Head of the National TB, Leprosy The counties includes: and Lung Disease Program (NTLD) Mombasa, Kiambu, Kakamega, in the Ministry of Health, these new Meru and Nakuru. infections in children are contracted The competitionis aimed at from adults. awarding the best school and best “It is so unfortunate that many pupil in essay and arts while giving people in the community have signs children crucial information on TB and symptoms of TB but they do and HIV/AIDS. not go to health centers to be tested. The Ministry of Health has These people continue suffering further urged school heads to from the disease but the worrying ensure that school buildings like thing is they continue spreading it,” dormitories, computer laboratories he said. and classes are well ventilated to Dr. Masini went on to explain reduce the spread of TB. that for this reason, children are the best channels to identify new It is so unfortunate infections because they point to the source of the disease, which could that many people in the be the child’s family members or community have signs neighbors. and symptoms of TB but Children are also good in relaying information and crucial they do not go to health School children participate in this year’s World TB Day celebrations which were held in Kiambu health messages to those around centers to be tested. County. them. Photo | Veronica Kaveza Dr. Masini was speaking at These people continue Ministry of Education aimed at used as screening centers for TB the school health TB essay and art KIBERA suffering from the reducing the number of new TB in an effort to detect and treat new competition award ceremony where disease but the worrying By Veronica Kaveza infections in the country. infections. he awarded the best school and the The children, particularly those This comes at a time when the best pupil in the competition. thing is they continue School-going children are the in primary school, will be used to number of children infected withTB The school health TB essay new agents for fighting tuberculosis relay information on TB infection, in Kenya is estimated to be 11,000 and arts competition began in 2016 spreading it (TB) in an ambitious partnership prevention and treatment. each year. involving seven counties which Dr. Enos Masini by the Ministry of Health and the Besides that, schools will be According to Dr. Enos Masini, have a very high burden of TB. Head of NTLD ISSUE 40 Ghetto Mirror | 8 APRIL 2017 Lacrossing Mukuru in American Style Veterans plead Sports Sport started just after an american student visited in 2014 for sportsmen’s ‘Koth Biro’ recognition JERICHO mourns a By Fred Maingi Two former boxing greats legend Stephen Muchoki and Suleiman Bilali have appealed to the national ZIWANI and county governments to form a board that will look after the welfare By Felix Omondi of sportsmen languishing in the Legendary football player slums. Charles ‘Sodjah’ Handas is dead. The duo dominated the boxing Handas passed away on the 14th of sport at an amateur level in different March while receiving treatment at eras, bringing honor to the country the Nairobi West hospital. at commonwealth games and the Handas had been admitted at Olympics but they now live in abject the Nairobi West hospital with an poverty in the slums. illness relating to a blood clot in his Lacrosse Players prepare for a training session at Chaminade grounds in Mukuru kwa Njenga. “We have brought glory to brain and is said to have died while Photo | Philip Ocheche the country and it is only fair that awaiting an operation to remove the sticks and a ball, they get down to growth surge of the sport in Mukuru sportsmen are given a deserving blood clot. MUKURU business. slum began in June 2014 when an retirement package. Not all of us Handas started his professional The games are often American student Ian Macleod held earn enough to take care of ourselves football career in 1983 with Lanet- By Felix Omondi competitive, with each team aiming a fundraiser for a trip to Nairobi to and our families,” said Muchoki. based Scarlet FC and hanged his for the highest goals. They run, hold introductory lessons and kick “Most sportsmen come from boots in 2006 while at Bandari. very day at 4pm, a carry, catch, shoot and pass the ball off the first ever lacrosse league in poor backgrounds that is why it is He played for a total of 10 crowd of enthusiastic with unmatched vigor. The lacrosse Kenya. through sports that wemanage to different teams in his career which youth make their way to team with the most points or goals at This was facilitated by Micato get recognition. However once a E sportsman retires he is ignored,” lasted a span of 23 years. the grassy Chaminade Grounds in the end of the time period wins the Safaris in conjunction with These teams included Limuru- Mukuru kwa Njenga. game. AmericaShare. The main aim of the added Muchoki who was awarded based Bata Bullets, Alaskan FC, Re- On any other day, they would For almost two years now, project was to keep youth away from an Order of the Burning Spear by union, Gor Mahia, Oserian Fastac be heading off to their cliques to players from primary and secondary drug and substance abuse which is a the late former president Mzee FC and Dubai bank. spend time gossiping, indulging schools in Mukuru have converged rampant vice in the slum. Jomo Kenyatta for his outstanding Handas also played for the Coast in petty crime and taking drugs. in these grounds for competitive Since then, the sport has seen contribution to boxing in Kenya. Stars where he got his first National But nowadays, they all gather at tourneys and practice. a steady growth and in December The two boxers were speaking team call up in 1998. Chaminade with a higher purpose. Kelvin Mwangi and Joyce 2015, Kenya was enlisted as the on the sidelines of an awareness Handas was able to lift the Meet Mukuru’s lacrosse Muthoni are the two team coaches 54th member in the FIL, becoming event held at Jericho’s camp Toyoyo premiership title with two teams, players; more than 200 children and who train and mentor the lacrosse the second African nation after sponsored by the Nairobi County Gor Mahia and Oserian Fastac FC. youth who have dedicated their time players. So far there are four major Uganda to be enlisted. Liquor Licensing Board. The first title came with Gor to learning and playing the popular teams from Our Lady of Nazareth “We hope to start training The board’s Chairman Vincent Mahia FC in 1995 season and he American sport. primary school, Kwa Njenga lacrosse in other areas outside Shimoli, himself a former player later won two back to back titles As soon as they get to the primary school, Bahati secondary Mukuru Kwa Njenga because it will and football administrator with with Oserian Fastac FC in the 2001 grounds, the players change into school and Chaminade training help to rehabilitate youth from drug AFC Leopards, said the board was and 2002 seasons. their attire consisting of helmets, center. abuse and provide opportunities determined to help sportsmen who After hanging his boots from mouth guards, gloves and protective According to the Federation of forsports scholarships abroad,” says have been drawn into drug abuse professional football, Handas shifted pads. Then armed with lacrosse International Lacrosse (FIL), the Mwangi. dueto depression and boredom. gear and went into the coaching and “We must as a country take care refereeing field. of the sportsmen who brought us He coached a number of teams Rachel Shebesh Urges Support for Slum Teams alot of pride in their prime years. including Yatta Combined, Eastleigh An excited Sitting Volleyball We recognize that they cannot live Stars, Kamukunji High school and President Polycarp Opiyo spoke off fame alone and some have fallen Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). highly of the event, saying the prey to alcohol and drug abuse.” By the time of his death, Handas tournament was aimed at selecting “It’s important that we support was the chairman of the Koth Biro a team to represent Nairobi County them and this initiative we held tournament which boasts of being at the national team trials which todayis just the beginning of a the oldest off season tournament in will be held in Kakamega County programme we plan to roll out the country. on February 25th and 26th this year. throughout Nairobi’s seventeen A series of matches have been Twelve players were eventually constituencies to try and seek held at the Ziwani sports grounds selected by a panelist of six coaches support to help those who are in Nairobi to help raise funds to to the county. affected and warn those engaged assist the deceased family offset the “I would like to appeal to in illicit brew of the danger of drug hospital bill and give the football all Kenyans to appreciate the abuse,” Shimoli said. legend a befitting send off. role playedby slum teams and During the occasion former especially people with disability. Harambee Stars players played Shebesh awards the winners Photo | Fred Maingi We should encourage themto exploit afriendly football match against The two day tournament their talents and also make their Jericho’s Wazee with the tie ending sponsored by Nairobi County sportssomething that they can earn 2-2. women representative Rachel from,” said Shebesh. Among those who featured for By Fred Maingi Shebesh was dubbed ‘Mama Naina Kenya will host the Africa Para- the national team veterans were The annual Nairobi County sports’ and attracted five teams from volley championships from May Peter Mwololo, Omar Shaban, Allan sitting volleyball tournament came Kasarani, Kamukunji, Dagoretti, 15th - 22nd this year. Thigo, George Sunguti, Maurice to a close in Nairobi’s Kasarani Langata and Starehe. Kamukunji The grand event will serve as Ole Tunda, Josephat Murila while indoor gymnasium with Kamukunji outplayed Kasarani in a hotly the 2018 World Cupqualifiers which John shot Lukoye, Musa Otieno ladies’ and Langata men’s teams contested ladies’ final, winning the will take place in Holland later in and Jacob Ghost Mulee represented Charles ‘Handas’ Ochieng’ carrying the day. match 2-0. the year. Jericho Wazee Boxers. Ghetto Mirror is a monthly newspaper published and distributed for free by Shining Hope for Communities as part of its programs hetto aimed at empowering slum youth by developing their media skills and also to bring attention to the issues affecting the residents G of informal settlements. All the work that goes into production of this newspaper is done by youth from the slums. Correspondence should be addressed to [email protected]. You can also visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ Mirror ghettomirror for constant news updates, photos, and videos. 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