Transformation the Bio Centre Story

Transformation The Bio Centre Story

UmandeUMANDE Trust TRUST P.O.BOX 43691 -00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254-20-8079001 / +254-20-772092343. Nairobi Office: Olympic Estate, Kibera, Nairobi Email: [email protected] Website: www.umande.org Transformation UMANDE TRUST The Bio Centre Story Transformation The Bio Centre Story Copyright @Umande Trust,2014

Editorial

Editorial Support Musyimi Mbathi

Concept, Design & Layout Brenda A. Ogutu , Nasra O. Bwana and Odinga R. O

Photographers Odinga R.O, Nasra O. Bwana and Brenda A. Ogutu

Cover Photo: N.Omar

Editing & Printing: Resources International Contacts Managing Trustee Josiah Omotto

Umande Trust P.O.BOX 43691 -00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254-20-8079001 / +254-20-772092343. Nairobi Office: Olympic Estate, Kibera, Nairobi Email: [email protected] t@umande_trust www.umande.org/www.facebook.com Skype:Umande trust Blog:umandetrust.blogspot.com

Funding Support: UNEP, NIC Bank, Comic Relief, Nawassco, Engineers Without Borders(USA), Japanese Government, Nairobi Water Company, Equity Bank, Cordaid, JOAC, SIDA, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Per Josephsson, Halcrow Foundation, UN-Habitat, Cooperazione Internazionale, Kiwasco, Oxfam, Athi Water, WSUP, Civil Society Urban Development Programme, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Sustainable Energy

2 Acknowledgement

The compilation of this publication would not have been possible without the support and guidance of many people. Umande Trust wishes to express gratitude to Dr. Musyimi Mbathi who conceptualized the idea and put together a dedicated team of students from the University of Nairobi. Over the years, Dr. Mbathi has offered invaluable support and guidance to programme development at Umande Trust.

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in the successful completion of this publication. Special thanks especially to Nasra Omar, Brenda Amondi and Ronald Odinga who tirelessly visited all the facilities and engaged communities managing them. Their experience and the voices of the beneficiary communities have been well presented thanks to the attention to detail and passion for the assignment. Not forgetting to the numerous community members who volunteered information and details used to describe the facilities. We at Umande Trust believe that the narratives and stories presented here will inspire others and transform the service delivery in water and sanitation within people’s settlements. So, perhaps this publication and it’s pages will be seen as “thanks” to the tens of thousands of community members who have helped make the Bio-Centres story truly a story worth telling. The dedicated staff of Umande Trust has shared their knowledge, ideas and tips, all of which culminated in the completion of this book. Thank you for the sacrifice and dedication over the years.

No one walks alone on the journey of life. Over the years, numerous partners have extended support and shown confidence with the work Umande Trust is carrying out. Special thanks to VE / Sustainable Energy, Denmark who have provided resources to facilitate publishing. To our partner organizations and individuals, Umande Trust values your investment in communities and the associated transformation.

Josiah Omotto Managing Trustee, Umande Trust The Bio Centre Story Bio Centre The

3 Executive Summary

Expanding Opportunities in People’s Settlements Information and detailed about the facilities Before the Bio-centres were constructed, many through Innovative Solutions in Sanitation was collected through the help of groups of households in the settlements opted for open Provision men and women including the youth who defecation and other expensive modes of managed the facilities. Observations and waste disposal. The Bio-centres offer clean and Inadequate sanitation according to recent photography were carried for each facility and adequate facilities which are a pride of the user 1 research is a driver of diseases such as details collaborated by user communities and communities. Surrounding environments have diarrhoea, endemic cholera and respiratory management committees. Without the local changed as a result of better disposal methods infections seen as the biggest contributor of knowledge and lived experience, this publication available to the residents in the settlements. child mortality for the under five, where an and contents would not have been possible. The The most innovative outcome has been the estimated 2.4 million children fall victim. It is voices and personal experiences presented in generation of gas which is a by-product of without doubt that sanitation is the single most the publication are testimony that the Bio-Centre the waste breakdown process. This renewable cost-effective major public health intervention facilities had indeed led to transformation of the energy source has been used to power many 2 to reduce child mortality. The United Nations communities and users. commercial and household activities ranging observed that in developing countries and from hotels to warming water for the shower indeed informal settlements, there is no single The findings led to a transformed socio- facilities located within the facilities. development intervention that brings greater economic and environmental landscape in the public health returns. Additionally, for every $1 settlements. Many of the beneficiary groups The findings point to a bright future and the invested in sanitation, it is estimated that at least continued to earn dividends and monetary gains need to explore other potential beneficiaries $9 is returned to national economies in increased as a result of offering the service. Youth led such as schools and settlements in Kenya and the productivity and a reduced burden of healthcare. groups realized significant results for example region. Umande Trust believes this innovative yet where members were previously unemployed. accessible approach to sanitation provision is a The interventions supported by Umande Trust to Instances were recorded where some youth right to all who deserve access to basic facilities provide better sanitation in people settlements members were able to support children in the and services. However, challenges are abound in across Kenya are aimed at bridging sanitation settlements with education and other basic aspects of resource availability, cultural barriers gaps in addition to providing sustainable necessities such as food and clothing. A beacon and limited knowledge dissemination which in livelihoods and living environments. This of light where there was none before. Many essence this publication aims to provide. There publication provides a detailed description and households lack access to education materials is unmet potential and a needy household photographic evidence of the current situation of and space for reading especially for school going somewhere across many of the settlements. the Bio-Centres constructed across the country children owing to small cramped living spaces. Our efforts as partners and communities will be in people’s settlement through assistance of Some Bio-centres offer the space and material important to leverage and achieve the desired partners and beneficiary communities. The necessary to mold the future generation. Access results in the long run. publication further highlights the unique to adequate and clean sanitation is dignifying. and salient features of each facility and how beneficiary communities have transformed as a result.

1 World Bank (2006) Disease control priorities in developing countries (Second edition) 2 UNDP (2006) Economic and health effects of increasing coverage of low cost sanitation interventions, Human Development Report Office occasional paper

4 Vedvarende Energi/Organisation forSustainable Energy Peace andReconciliationmeetingsheldhere. dialogue betweenthedifferent inhabitants.ItwaslastseenuptotheGeneralElectionin2013with thereby playasignificant role indevelopmentofthecommunities andtheongoingmostneeded can meetanddiscusscurrent issues.TheDialoguecentersare beingusedascommunity hallsand ongoing challengesthecommunitiesinslumsare facingitisimportanttohaveplaceswhere people the But mostimportantistheuseofBiocentersas forDialogueinthecommunities.With environmental issues,micro-credit, socialauditsandothers. the internetandthrough communitycoursesprovides various empowermentservices liketrainingin income generatingpossibilitiesasseeninmostofallotherBiocentersbuttheydoalsooffer accessto Not onlydotheseBiocentersprovides basic servicessuchaswater, toilets,coldandhotshowers at MashimoniPrimary&SecondarySchoolandtheotherSct.ChristinesinRailaVillage. the SameSky’inKibera.Theproject financedtwooftheBiocentersconstructedbyUmande Trust. One In ajointpartnershipwithUmandeTrust, SustainableEnergy Denmarkimplementedtheproject ‘Under Partner Testimonial

5 The Bio Centre Story Nobody can go back and Start a New Beginning, But Anyone can Start Today and Make a New Ending.

–Maria Robinson

6 Photo: N.Omar Contents Schools 89 Nyanza &Kakamega Nakuru 78 Mji Wa Huruma Kibagare Mathare Korogocho Mukuru Kibera Bio Centres About Umande Partner Testimonial Executive Summary Acknowledgement 80 76 75 71 56 39 13 10 9 5 4 3 Photo: N.Omar

7 The Bio Centre Story 8 About UmandeTrust and transformingurbancommunities. processes andmethods;learning from, sharing was toexperiment,dream, andadaptinnovative approaches todevelopment. UMANDETRUST disillusionment withbusiness-as-usual the ideas,over-powering thegrowing unbiased, nascentbeginning;notrecycling Kiswahili termfordew-connotinganew, settled onthenameandbrand`Umande’,a Prof. SaadYahya andthefoundingtrustees led plansandactions. strategically investedinsupportofcommunity- sanitation servicesiffinancial resources are can significantlyimprove accesstowaterand UMANDE TRUSTbelievesthatmodestresources drivers ofsustainableurbandevelopment. sanitation andotherrelated basicservicesaskey mission topromote innovationsthatpositionbio- UMANDE TRUSTisarightbasedagencywith UMANDE TRUST affordable urbanservices. human right,accesstosafe, adequateand A societyinwhichcommunities have,asabasic VISION competent services. but alsotodemandfairness,accountabilityand community organizing forindependentaction Since 2004,UMANDETRUSThasfacilitatedthe of experience. resource personnel. Allofwhohaveseveralyears gender, youth andenterprisedevelopment civil engineers,socialscientists,environmental, specialists, urbanplanners,humanrightactivists, of communityorganizers, geo-informatics lasting changewithpeople.Theteamcomprises commitment tolearnfrom, share andachieve resource personswhoshare apassionand UMANDE TRUSTbringstogetherteamsof services financing). sanitation governance,humanrightsandurban integrated urbanenvironmental planning, led processes (partnershipsforchange, management services)andaraftofcommunity- to urbanwater, bio-sanitationandsolidwaste level approach thatfocusesonaproduct (access UMANDE TRUSTplacesemphasisonamulti- established. in Nairobi, NakuruandKisumuhasbeen and associationswithininformalsettlements members. Anextensivenetworkwithgroups and energy exhibitedbyitscore teamofstaff groups andtheimmensespiritofvoluntarism rapidly duetoitscredibility withcommunity 2004 andhassincethenmanagedtogrow The organization registered asatrustinAugust iv. iv. iii. ii. i. OBJECTIVES Mutual respect forpartners accountability, Participationandinclusion, Dignity andjusticeTransparency and CORE VALUES drivers ofsustainableurbandevelopment. sanitation andotherrelated basicservicesaskey To promote innovationsthatpositionbio- MISSION the aboveobjectives. order tosupportlocalcommunitiesinpursuitof communication resources andtechnologiesin To promote theadoptionofinformationand water, sanitation andtheenvironment; advocacy programmes onkeyissuesrelated to To conductaction-basedresearch andpolicy services; for improved deliveryofwaterandsanitation development andapplicationofbestpractices To promote theintroduction, adaptation, environmental sanitationservices; maintenance ofcommunity-basedwaterand To facilitatetheplanning,building,and water andsanitationresources andservices; enable themtoeffectively manageandsustain organizations and/orfederationsinorder to To supportinthecapacitybuildingofcommunity

9 The Bio Centre Story About Bio Centres

Many informal settlements in Kenyan cities have outbreaks have reduced and individuals now Development Fund (SANDEF), a self-sustaining been neglected by national government and have access to clean water. Some groups have fund which loans out, rather than give grants, successive city government authorities who facilitated activities that further help conserve the funds needed to undertake a sanitation have failed to provide basic services including the environment such as tree planting and project. Government and Nongovernmental tenure security. Many residents have no access to community clean-ups. Organizations (NGOs) can make a donation to adequate sanitation and clean water. The limited SANDEF. It is after a project is completed that access to sanitation forces residents to use other The project promotes renewable energy helping the loan will be repaid to SANDEF. The revolving methods for waste disposal such as buckets or the shift from the usual wood, charcoal, kerosene fund will enable other facilities to be set up plastic bags. Flying toilets and open defecation and gas to biogas for cooking. This helps in across the settlements in order to meet the are the order of the day, a hygiene disaster that improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon growing demand for better services. has led to numerous disease outbreaks such as dioxide emissions and alleviating pressure cholera, dysentery and diarrhoea in the past. on forests. It is also cheaper and relatively An interesting aspect about the bio centres is the affordable. Bio centres have helped facilitate ability of residents to use BebaPay (a cashless Numerous measures have been taken up to help community education and sensitization on based system) to access services and products. solve the issues related to water and sanitation; conservation and hygiene. Practices such as hand The bio-centre premises and facilities provide such as communal pit latrines, portable toilets, washing after visiting the washrooms helps to other services to the community – including plastic bags laced with treating chemicals etc. reduce disease outbreaks within the community. venues to screen movies and football matches The bio centre initiative (BCI) by Umande Trust for a fee as well as cooking for families – all entails an ablution block that produces green Women and the youth have an opportunity to of which are paid for via the cashless system. energy from the waste and a multifunctional area contribute toward community development serving numerous purposes; creating a place through the bio centre projects by being involved, or initiating their own projects through from a space. The 5 Ps of Bio-Centres the self help groups within the settlements The Bio Centres are sanitary blocks that use a bio jobs created and the skills transferred ensure 1. Partnerships with (academic institutions, digester system to treat waste and produce that some members of local communities have a community, government, NGOs, CBOs, bio gas to be used by the community. Self help means of earning a living. Employment is created donor agencies) groups, vetted by Umande Trust, are supported throughout the entire process, from construction 2. Pricing models (flexibility, affordable, and facilitated, to construct and manage these to management of the bio centres. From the universal use) centres. The bio centres are more than just project’s capacity development strategy, over 200 3. Profitability (livelihoods, wealth ablution blocks, sections of it and the top floors members have developed skills in accountability generation) are partitioned to serve various functions such as sessions, promoting hygiene, leadership, 4. Payment innovations (cashless systems, office space, schools, residential units and halls procurement and tendering procedures, record mobile payments, smart phones, resource for hire. The centres have an impact on their keeping, financial management and reporting. governance) immediate surroundings, for example where 5. Practices (Hygiene, behavior change, The bio centres now act as security for they have helped to eradicate flying toilets dignity) and reduce cases of open defecation. Disease those seeking loans. Umande Trust and the communities have also formed a Sanitation

10 have todealwith moneycourtesyofBebaPay. members andbio-centre managersnolonger Communication (NFC)technology. Community Bank andGoogleusesthe NearField The BebaPaysystemissupported byEquity now. these platformscontinuestobeasuccesstill include M-PesaandKopoKopo.Theuseof digital platformsusedbythebio-centre users of everyonewhoaccessesthefacility. Other systems ineachtoiletthatprovide aheadcount as there are sensors attheentranceandcounter Technology ishighlyutilizedatthebio-centres facilities suchasschoolsand churches witha informal settlementsbutalso incommunity the kitty. Biocentres are notonlyinitiatedin centers contribute10%ofthe netincomeinto Communities thathavebenefited from bio- community members. to enhancinggovernanceandtrustamong control andsecurityoffinancialassetsinaddition Adoption ofthedigitalsystemshasenhanced transferred directly tothegroups account. service charges are deductedandthemoney Users simplytapthecard tothephoneand improving thestandards oflivinginthecountry. is hopethatthecountrywill be onestepcloserto is stillroom forimprovement andwiththat there are more successfulthanothers,therefore there sanitation are wellserviced.Some ofthecentres ensure thatallareas withinadequate waterand More biocentres are yettobebuiltsoas communities. quick toreach alarge numberofpeopleinthe respective areas ofinterest; makingiteasyand leaders are providing sanitationfacilitiesintheir administrations, church communitiesandCounty need forsustainablesanitationsystems.School Photo: N.Omar 11 The Bio Centre Story MAP OF BIO-CENTRES LOCATED IN KIBERA

Photo: Odinga R. O Brown to Green Agenda With climate change and global warming, the world is struggling to move from brown agendas to green ones. The bio centres are part of this great march.

What we know as human waste is what bio centres see as resourceful material. Each of the three states of matter are rendered useful: gas for the production of energy, liquid i.e. the treated water can be recycled and the treated solid waste used as fertilizer.

There are very few green pockets in Kibera and Nairobi in general thus most of the groups are committed to conserving the environment. They have plans of creating a new culture of planting trees in the community through educating school children and groups on the importance of tree planting. KEY:

In Mashimoni, the group has a seedlings bed. Their main objective is to plant the trees in the area. The bio centre Japanese Embassy VE International AWSB Umande Trust friends WSUP Halcrow Foundation within Mashimoni Primary School has also helped to enlighten the school children through the agriculture club on ways of improving farming and planting trees. 12 PCEA church Oxfam GB MAP OF BIO-CENTRES LOCATED IN KIBERA

MAP OF BIO-CENTRES LOCATED IN KIBERA Kibera

KEY:

Japanese Embassy VE International AWSB Umande Trust friends WSUP Halcrow Foundation

PCEA church Oxfam GB 13

Tosha I 16 Muvi Gorofani 19 KIDYOT 22

Nyaharwa 17 Nicofeli 23 Jasho Letu 20

Staara 24 Tosha II 18 Bunkers 21

Mashimoni 25 KILIYO 28 PCEA 31

Lindi usafi 26 Soweto Highrise 29 Top III 32

Tosha 1 Biodigester 27 Mwanzo Mpya 30 St Christine 33 The Bio Centre Story Bio Centre The

15 Tosha I The First One

Group: Jasho Letu, Mapambano, Bidii Yetu, Mama Okinda, Multi Vision Year: 2007 Location: Katwekera Sarang’ombe Monthly earnings: 95,000 Partner Agencies: Halcrow Foundation, Athi Water Services Board, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company and SIDA Land Acquisition: Community Land No. of Floors: II Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Hall for hire, Library, Office space, Cyber Cafe, Kitchen (Biogas is used to cook for a nearby primary Photo: Odinga R. O school) and Water vending Daily Users: 600-1,000 Operating hours: 6am-10pm This was the first in many things, the first Bio centre in Kibera and in the country. The first bio centre to apply a digital card system for its users in order to counteract insecurity and reduce the hustle of counting money at the end of each day.

16 Operating hours:6am-9pm Monthly Earnings:Ksh14,800-18,400 Daily Users:50 Housing forthecaretaker andaKitchen Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Hallforhire, No offloors:I Land Acquisition:Purchased Water ServicesBoard Nairobi Water andSewerageCompanyAthi Partner Agencies:French DevelopmentAgency, Location: SowetoWest Year: 2007 Group:Nyaharwa Self-helpGroup from scratch Owino 42,hashislittleone man factorywithinNyaharwa’s hall.Earninghislivingbymaking leathershoes Nyaharwa A stichintime Photo: N.Omar 17 The Bio Centre Story Tosha II Power of a Woman

Year: 2009 Location: Katwekera East Partners Agencies: Swedish Embassy Activities: Toilet, Bathroom, Housing rental units Land Acquisition: Purchased No of floors: I Daily Users: 30 Monthly Earnings: Ksh 9,600 Operating hours: 6am-9pm

Photo: N.Omar

Tosha II is solely owned by women. The first floor provides housing for five households with the added advantage of cooking using biogas at the low cost of 10 shillings per meal. The biogas is also used to warm bathing water.

18 Operating hours:6am-10pm Motnhly Earnings:45,600 Daily Users:150-300 scrrening, Hallforhire, Kitchen Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Footballmatch No ofFloors:I Poor Company, Water andSanitationfortheUrban Partner Agencies:Nairobi Water and Sewerage Location: KatwekeraSarang’ombe Year: 2009 Group: SelfHelpGroup MultiVision Tosha I’s firstdaughtersituated relatively closetotheMother Centre. Muvi Gorofani Tosha I’s FirstDaugther Photo: OdingaR. O 19 The Bio Centre Story Jasho Letu Fishing for Opportunity

Group: Jasho Yetu Monthly Earnings: 28,600 Year: 2009 Location: Katwekera Sarang’ombe Partner Agencies: Bill and Melinda Gates, Foundation, Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Athi Water Services Board Photo: Odinga R. O Land Acquisition: Purchased No of floors: I The centre plans to be the first to recycle waste water for fish farming. The pond is to be located at the Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Hall for hire, rear section of the bio centre Outside kitchen Daily Users: 300-400 Jasho Letu has a huge clientelle base as it also serves a nearby health centre. The group also created an Operating hours: 6am-8.30pm area plan showing the need for a housing project, which was later implemented

20 Monthly Earnings:Ksh.3,800 Daily users:25-50 Activities: Toiletss, Bathrooms, Water Vending No ofFLoors:Ground FloorOnly Land acquisition:Communityland Services Board Nairobi Water andSewerageCompany, AthiWater Partner Agencies:French DevelopmentAgency, Location: KiberaDC,MakinaWard Year: 2009 Group: BunkersSelfHelpGroup managing thecentre are supportingtheir peers toattenduniversitiesoutsidethecountry and theenvironment, consequentlyincreasing thenumberofclientsforbiocentre. TheYouth Earlier, NEMAdemolishedsomeoftheneighbouring toiletsastheywere ahealthhazard tothepeople The centre islocatedinanarea where there are numerous toiletsandhencethefewnumberofclients. Bunkers Passport totheFuture Photo: N.Omar 21 The Bio Centre Story KIDYOT Fine Tuning

Group : Kibera Kids Youth Organisation Year: 2010 Location: Katwekera Partner Agencies: Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company Land Acquisition: Purchased No. of floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Rehearsal hall/Hall for hire, Kitchen Daily Users: 300 Monthly Earnings: Ksh 50,000 Operating hours: 6.30am-9.30pm

Photo: N.Omar

The centre is managed by a youth group involved in performing arts. They use the hall on a daily basis to hold their practice sessions.

22 Monthly Earnings:Ksh.38,500 Daily Users:100-150 hire, Kitchen Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Library, Hallfor No ofFloors:I Land Acquisition:Purchased America FriendsofKenya Partner Agencies:JapaneseGovernment, Year: 2011 Location: Kianda Group: NicofeliYouth Club programs, booklendingand adulttochildmentoring based programs includingtheaffiliated Hope Library. TheHopeLibrarysponsorsshort/longterm reading The NicofeliClubhasnowregistered more than500children andteenagers/youthwithitscommunity Nicofeli House ofKnowledge Photo: N.Omar 23 The Bio Centre Story Stara Feeding Tomorrow

Group: Stara Peace Women Organization Year: 2010 Location: Kichinjio Partner Agencies: French Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Athi Water Services Board No of Floors: II Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms Offices, Hall for hire, Posho mill Farm, Kitchen Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 43,000

Photo: Odinga R. O Established in 1997 by more than 30 members, the group has experienced challenges including governance and lack of and lack of faith in the management. 1997 However, the members have been able to improve on the management and add new business lines such as the grain milling machine. The proceeds from this business venture is used to support the school feeding programme which caters for children attending the school. Additionally, the group manages a vegetable growing scheme within the bio centre’s compound.

24 *Within aSchoolcompound *Within Monthly Earnings:Ksh.8,200 Daily users:100-200 hire, Offices Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Daycare, Hallfor Number ofFloors:II Land Acquisition:Community Partner Agencies:VEInternational Location: LainaSaba Year: 2010 Navuguza, Tusikilizane andKimungu Groups: RiseandShine,Kaganyo, takes care oflittle children The BioCentre alsohostsaday care center, ownedbyoneofthegroup members,whichnurtures and are conservingtheenvironment; stormwater managementandsanitation. Mashimoni PrimarySchool, serving itandthecommunityatsametime.Thecentre’s mainobjectives The Biocentre cameaboutfrom fivedifferent groups coming togethertosetitup.Itislocatedwithin Mashimoni Nurture fortheFuture Photo: N.Omar 25 The Bio Centre Story Lindi Usafi Humble Beginnings

Group : Lindi Usafi Group Year: 2011 Location: Lindi Ward Partner Agencies: French Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Athi Water Services Board Land Acquisition: Community land No. of floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Nursery School during weekdays and hall for hire during the weekends Daily users: 30 Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 11,200

If Education is the key to success; then can we call Lindi Usafi Bio Centre a key holder?

-Food for thought..

26 Photo: N.Omar supplied byKenyaPower. Water is received twice aweekfrom theNairobi Water andSewerageCompany whileelectricityis Photo: N.Omar Kilyo Monthly Earnings:Ksh.14,000 Daily users:10-20 Rooms forhire, Hallforhire Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Salon, No offloors:I Land Acquisition:Community land Minister, Nairobi Water andSewerageCompany Athi Water ServicesBoard, OfficeofthePrime Partner Agencies:JapaneseGovernment, Location: LindiWard Year: 2011 Group: KiberaLindiYouth Organization Young Spirit 27 The Bio Centre Story Tosha I Bio Digester A Little Goes a Long Way

Groups: Mama Okinda & Mapambano Year: 2012 Location: Gatwekera Partner Agency: Umande Trust Land Acquisition: Purchased No of Floors: Grounf Floor Only Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms Daily users: 50-70 Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 4,700 Operating hours: 6am-9pm

Photo: N.Omar

The little centre has been able to overlook the water shortage menace in order to help eliminate ‘flying toilets’ in its area of influence. The group members not only help the community but also help themselves by giving each other loans during the time of need.

28 Operating hours: 6am-8/10pm Monthly Earnings:Ksh.42,000 Dailty Users:100 Offices Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Hallforhire, No offloors:I Land Acquisition:Purchased Minister, Athi Water ServicesBoard Government ofKenya,OfficethePrime Partner Agencies:JapaneseGovernment, Location: LainiSaba Year: 2012 Group: SowetoHighriseSavingsScheme . for dividend persons canusethefacilityfor free. Fundsare thereby usedaspartofsavings,givingout loansaswell savings bythegroup promotes governance andparticipation.Littlechildren, HIVpatientsanddisabled They haveastrong dailysavings culture whichissupportedandlinkedtoMuuganoWa Wanavijiji .Daily Soweto Highrise Saying NotoStigma Photo: N.Omar 29 The Bio Centre Story Mwanzo Mpya New Beginnings

Location: Laini Saba Year: 2013 Group Mwanzo Mpya Savings Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms No. Of floors: I Monthly Users: 120 Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 6250

Photo: N.Omar “Perhaps no two issues are more important to human health, economic development, peace and security than basic sanitation and access to sustainable supplies of water” -Hillary Rodham Clinton 30 Monthly Earnings:Ksh.9,600 Number ofUsers:60 Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, HallforHire No. offloors:I Land Acquisition:Church land Partner Agencies:BarrheadChurches, Scotland Location: Silanga Year: 2013 Group: PCEASilangaChurch to openitsdoorsforbusiness The biocentre hastwofaces; onefortheSilangaPCEAChurch andtheotherforcommunity. Itisyet PCEA Going theExtraMile Photo: N.Omar 31 The Bio Centre Story TOP III Change for the Better

Group Change Mtaani & Youth Arise Year: 2013 Location: Kichinjio Partner Agencies: Oxfam GB Land Acquisition: Community land No. of floors: II Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Kitchen, Rental rooms, Offices, Hall for hire Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 45,000

Photo: N.Omar The centre serves more than 500 people, including the neighbouring police camp and area District Commissioner offices. The police camp has access to a kitchen which uses gas produced from the biocentre. Top III houses two youth groups who initially were foes. The centre is therefore regarded as a haven of peace and a champion for community cohesion and justice.

32 Monthly Earnings:Ksh.3,200 Offices forhire, Hallforhire Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Kitchen,Roomsand No. ofFloor:II Land Acquisition:Communityland sky, UN Partner Agencies:VEInternational,Underthesame Mugumoini Year 2013 Groups: 5Communitygroups “ community, here theywillgetanoppurtunity tousethemforfree...... Most parents cannotafford totaketheirchildren tothetoiletsin St Christine Cementing OurFuture Photo: N.Omar “ 33 The Bio Centre Story 34 Photos: Brenda A. Ogutu, N.Omar Odinga R. O that generateincome.Ithasalsofacilitated providing jobsandcomingupwithotherprojects groups. Thesebiocentres havehelpedthemby most from biocentres inMukuruare theyouth Among thegroups thathavebenefitedthe the pastinareas fortunatetohaveabiocentre. the informalsettlementsare becomingathingof Cases offlyingtoiletsandopendefecationwithin surrounding. project butalsoimpactingpositivelytoits It doesnotonlybenefitthoseinvolvedinthe The biocentres are aforce oftransformation. Changing Lives for business. vehicles. Theyalsohelptheyouthtoaccessloans employed otheryouthinthearea towash their savingstobuycarwashequipmentand In LungaLunga,theyouthgroups haveused helping handtootheryouth. these youths’lives,theyhavegoneaheadtobea activities. Sincethebiocentres havechanged behaviour modoficationfrom previous illegal 35 The Bio Centre Story MAP SHOWING MUKURU BIO-CENTRES

Photo: N.Omar

MAP SHOWINGMUKURUBIO-CENTRES MAP SHOWING MUKURU BIO MUKURU MAP SHOWING

Mukuru -CENTRES

37 The Bio Centre Story

Lunga Lunga 41 Mukuru Railway Hawkers 42

Heshima Disabled 43

Com Cleen 44

Amusha 45

Vietnam 46 38

Simba Cool 47

Sisal 48

Rurii 49 Mukuru Environmental 50

Mukuru Reuben

51 Story Bio Centre The KUUM b 52 39 40 Photo: Odinga R. O, N,Omar Operating hours:5am-10pm Monthly Earnings:Ksh.50,000 Daily Users:200-300 hire. as ahotel),rental rooms, officesandahallfor Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Kitchen(rented out No. ofFloors:II Land Acquisition:Community Water ServicesBoard Nairobi Water andSewerageCompany, Athi Partner Agencies:French DevelopmentAgency, Location: LungaLunga, Year: 2008 Group: LungaYouth Group Motto: Water andSanitationourpriority rooms, carwashandurbanfarming. distributed toaneighbouringkiosk),rental management; production ofbiogas(whichis loans. Theyhaveprojects suchas:solidwaste to secure loansbyhelpingeachothersignfor in manyways.Onebenefitismembersare able The bio-centre hashelpedthegroup members Lunga Jack ofAllTrades 41 The Bio Centre Story Mukuru Railway Hawkers Re-writing Our Future

Group: Mukuru Railway Hawkers Organisations Year: 2009 Location: Mukuru kwa Reuben Partner Agencies: French Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company and Athi Water Services Board Land Acquisition: Purchased No. of Floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms and Hall for hire Daily Users: 60-70 Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 6,500 Operating hours: 6am-6pm Photo: N,Omar

A group member hires the bio centre for a month at an agreed fee. He/She then manages the centre and uses it to make a profit.

42 people’s housesvia longwaterpipes. friendly tothedisabled.The group alsohasawaterchoiceprogram whereby theydistribute waterto lives easier. Theyhaveplansofstartingahousingproject whereby theywillconstructhousesthatbe The group consistsofdisabledindividuals whohavecometogethertohelpeachothermaketheir Heshima Disabled Photo: N,Omar Operating hours:6am-7.30pm Monthly Earnings:Ksh.15,000 Daily Users:80-100 Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms andKitchen No. ofFloors:Ground floorOnly Land Acquisition:Purchased Water ServicesBoard Nairobi Water andSewerageCompany, Athi Partner Agencies:French DevelopmentAgency, Location: MukurukwaNjenga Year: 2010 Group: HeshimaandMicro groups Supporting EachOther 43 The Bio Centre Story ComCleen Coming Clean

Group: Community Clean Environmental Self- help group Year: 2010 Location: Mukuru kwa Njenga Partner Agencies: French Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Athi Water Services Board Land Acquisition: Community Land No. of Floors: Ground floor Only Activities: Toilets and Bathrooms Daily Users: 15-25 Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 3,000 Operating hours: 6am-9.30pm Photo: N. Omar

“We put some of the money into our bank account and the rest is used for repair and maintenance” - Community Clean Environmental Self-help group member

44 they are. shower. Anotheradvantageoftheeco-shower isthatitpotableandanyonecanusefrom wherever available locally. Theynowhaveagoodsource ofincome, andtheycharge 10/=foronetousethe the ecoshowerinMukuru.The group members therefore substitutedthematerialsforonesthatwere save waterintheslums.There wasaproblem withtheavailabilityofmaterialstobeusedinmaking MIT (MassachusettsInstitute ofTechnology) studentscameupwithaproject calledEco-Shower tohelp Photo: N.Omar Operating hours:6am-9.30pm Monthly Earnings:Ksh.40,000 Daily Users:160 Eco showerandChickenrearing Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, shop,hall,office, No. ofFloors:I Land Acquisition:Community Commision) Company andJOAC(JerseyOverseesAid City Council,Nairobi Water andSewerage Partner Agencies:OxfamGB,Nairobi Location: MukurukwaNjenga Year: 2010 Group: AmushaYouth Organisation Amusha Conservation andPreservation 45 The Bio Centre Story Vietnam Skills Haven

Group: Mukuru Savings Network Year: 2010 Location: Mukuru kwa Njenga Partner Agencies: French Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company and Athi Water Services Board Land Acquisition: Community Land No. of Floors: Ground floor only Activities: Toilets and Bathrooms Daily Users: 60-70 Monthly Earnings: Kshs 7500-10,500 Operating hours: 6am-7pm Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 2,000

Photo: N. Omar

The group normally brings experts to train members on skills such as; tailoring and mechanics.

46 Rurii andVietnam Simba Coolispartofanetwork offourbioentres ownedbyonegroup. Theotherthree include,Sisal, Photo: OdingaR.O Simba Cool Operating hours:6am-8pm Monthly Earnings:Ksh.2,000 Daily Users:12 Activities: Toilets andBathrooms No. ofFloors:Ground flooronly Land Acquisition:Community Water ServiceBoard Nairobi Water andSewerageCompany, Athi Partner Agencies:French DevelopmentAgency, Location: MukurukwaReuben Year: 2o11 Group: MukuruSavingsNetwork Together We Are 47 The Bio Centre Story Sisal Stand up and stand out

Group: Mukuru Savings Network Year: 2010 Location: Mukuru kwa Njenga Partner Agencies: French Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Athi Water Services Board No. of Floors: Ground Floor only Activities: Toilets and Bathrooms Operating hours: 5am- 9.30pm Number of Users: 60 Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 3,000

Photo: N. Omar A clean and healthy environment is mostly benefical to children who can acquire diseases more easily than adults. The bio-centre therefore caters for children free of charge. It mostly serves students from the neighbouring Rofez Community School.

48 Rurii The sweetness of multitasking

Group: Mukuru Savings Network Year: 2011 Location: Mukuru kwa Reuben Partner Agencies: French Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Athi Water Services Board Land Acquisition: Community land No. of Floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, hall for hire Daily Users: 45-50 Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 3,500 Operating hours: 6am-8pm Photo: N. Omar The caretaker, Wilson Barongo, also a group member, works there daily. He earns his living from managing the centre as he runs a small business on the side- selling sweets at the bio centre’s entrance. Kennedy Nyandika, also a group member, has hired the group’s water kiosk and turned it into an electronic repair shop Story Bio Centre The

49 Mukuru Environmental Project Far to Near

Group: Mukuru Environmental Project Self-help Group Year: 2011 Location: Mukuru kwa Reuben Partner Agencies: Oxfam GB and Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company Land Acquisition: Purchased No. of Floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, store, Kitchen and 4 rental rooms Daily Users: 80 Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 25,000 Operating hours: 5am-10pm Photo: Odinga R. O

The bio-centre assists the disabled in the community by taking water to their houses via pipes as they are not able to carry the jerrycans by themselves. They also distribute water to construction sites thus making work easier for them.

50 Reuben Vision Self Help Group Understanding care

Group: Reuben Vision Self-Help Group Year: 2012 Location: Mukuru kwa Reuben Partner Agencies: Oxfam GB, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company Land Acquisition: Purchased No. of Floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Kitchen, Rental rooms, offices and a dormitory (room) Daily Users: 100 and 200 students who don’t pay Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 40,000

Photo: N. Omar “Top II pays for my school fees and gives me a place to sleep at night” - says Judy Mueni, a student at Reuben Vision School. She comes from a single parent household and her mother cannot afford her upkeep. The group members have therefore taken it upon themselves to help her out. There are also other students whose parents work during the night and so the group hosts them in one of the rooms in the bio-centre which they have turned into a dormitory. The Bio Centre Story Bio Centre The

51 K.U.U.M B New ideas

Group: Kayaba Ushirika kwa Usafi na Maendeleo Year: 2013 Location: Mukuru Kayaba Partner Agencies: Wimma Likkutta Land Acquisition: Purchased No. of Floors: I Photo: N. Omar Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms & Offices Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 50,000 KUUM B is the second bio centre that the group is constructing as they already have KUUM A within the Monthly Users: 250 same settlement. Umande Trust helped the group begin the second project of KUUM B owing to their success of KUUM A.

52 53 The Bio Centre Story MAP SHOWING KOROGOCHO BIO-CENTRES

Photo: N.Omar 54 Korogocho MAP SHOWINGKOROGOCHOBIO-CENTRES MAP SHOWING KOROGOCHO BIO - CENTRES

55 The Bio Centre Story

Kisumu Ndogo 59 Uwezo Mpya 60 Ngunyumu 61

Tegemeo 62 KHDO/IDVIK 63

56 Inspiration 4 Korogocho Youth Unity Inspiration 67 65 Together wecan work 68 Highridge 66 57 The Bio Centre Story Kisumu Ndogo Think Tank

Group: Biogas Centre Self-help group/ Kisumu Ndogo Development C.B.O Year: 2007 Location: Kisumu Ndogo Partner Agencies: Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, French Development Agency, Athi Water Services Board Land Acquisition: Community Land No. of Floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms and Hall for Hire Daily Users: 60 Monthly Earnings: Kshs 9,000-15,000 Photo:Photo: Odinga N.Omar R. O Operating hours: 6am-10pm The hall on the first floor is hired out to groups and organisations. Banks also hire out the hall so as to advertise the new programs that their bank is carrying out that would benefit the people.

58 jewellery usingbeadsinorder tomakea little more money. The centre’s caretaker isalsoamemberofthegroup who,otherthantakingcare ofthecentre, makes now theyare fullyoccupiedbyactivitiesin thebiocentre andtryingtomakeextramoneyforsavings. Most ofthegroup membershavebeensaved from takingpartinillegalactivitiessuchasstealing because Uwezo Mpya Operating hours:7am-7.30pm Monthly Earnings:Ksh.55,000 Daily Users:25 Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Hallforhire No. ofFloors:I Land Acquisition:Purchased Water ServicesBoard Nairobi Water andSewerageCompany, Athi Partner Agencies:French DevelopmentAgency, Location: Grogon Year: 2009 Group: UwezoMpyaSelf-helpgroup Putting thingstogether 59 The Bio Centre Story Ngunyumu The Right Direction

Group: Ngunyumu Welfare Association Year: 2010 Location: Gitadhuru Partner Agencies: French Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Athi Water Services Board No. of Floors: Ground floor Only Activities: Toilets and Bathrooms Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 3,000

Photo: N.Omar The welfare assosiation comprises of landlords/ladies who have come together from Gitadhuru area. In order for one to be a member he/she should own property in the area i.e. be a landlord or landlady, reside in Korogocho Gitadhuru area, be over 18 years of age and must pay the required fees.

60 ensure thattheenvironment is clean. sanitation services,thegroup membersalso carryoutgarbagecollectiononaweeklybasissoas to The biocentre islocatedinthe heartofamarket,solelyservingit.Otherthanproviding waterand Fruitful work Tegemeo Photo: N.Omar Operating hours:6.30am-6.30pm Monthly Earnings:Ksh.60,000 Daily Users:200 Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, office,hallforhire No. ofFloors:I Land Acquisition:Purchased Water ServicesBoard Company, French Development AgencyandAthi Partner Agencies:Nairobi Water and Sewerage Location: NyayoVillage Year: 2010 Group:Tegemeo Self-helpgroup 61 The Bio Centre Story KHDO/IDVIK Envisioning a Better Tommorow

Group: Integrated Development for the Visually Impaired Kenya Year: 2011 Location: Githaduru Central Village Partner Agencies: French Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Athi Water Services Board Land Acquisition: Purchased No. of Floors: I Activities:Toilets, Bathrooms, an office and two rental rooms Daily Users: 10 Monthly Earnings: Kshs 3,000-11,400 Photo: Odinga R. O Operating hours: 7am-7pm

The group consists of members who are visually impaired as the name suggests. They came together in hopes of making a difference in their community as much as the non visually impaired community members can.

62 KOCHOTO Balancing the ecosystem

Group: Kochoto Self-Help Group Year: 2011 Partner Agencies: Oxfam GB, Nairobi City Council, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Jersey Oversees Aid Commission (JOAC) Land: Polytechnic Land (CDF) Land Acquisition: Community Land No. of Floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Store (mpesa), Barber shop and hall Daily Users: 200 Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 50,000 Photo: Odinga R. O Operating hours: 6am-7pm

The centre has a fully functioning post-treatment centre, whose water they use in agricultural practices.

The bio centre also serves the nearby market by providing both water and sanitation needs as well as financial services (mpesa shop). The Bio Centre Story Bio Centre The

63 Inspiration Light at the end of the tunnel

Group: Inspiration Self- help group Year: 2012 Location: Kitasuru-Korokoni B Partner Agencies: French Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Athi Water Services Board Land Acquisition: Purchased No. of Floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Hall and Office (for group) Daily Users: 7 Photo: Odinga R. O Monthly Earnings: Kshs 100-150 “Kulikuwa na machoo hazishughulikiwi, flying toilets zilikuwa mingi, lakini Operating hours: 8am-6.30pm saa hizi kumeboreka” Translated as: “Toilets had been neglected and there were numerous cases of flying toilets but all that has changed now for the better”

64 - Purity Nduku, 23 produce large amountsofbio gas. The group doesnotcharge fortoilets’usage,aimingto attractalarge numberofpeoplesoasto Photo: N.Omar Highridge Operating hours:24hrs Monthly Earnings:Ksh.13,000 Daily Users:60-65 and hallforhire Activities: Toilets ,Bathrooms, Kitchen,5rental rooms No. ofFloors:I Land Acquisition:Purchased Sewerage CompanyandAthiWater ServicesBoard Trust, Oxfam GB andEmmaus,Nairobi Water and Partner Agencies:Youth InitiativesKenya,Umande Location: Highridge Year: 2012 Group: HighridgeDevelopmentGroup Aiming high 65 The Bio Centre Story Korogocho Youth Unity Tapping into potential

Group: Korogocho Youth Unity Location: Korogocho Market Partner Agencies: French Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Athi Water Services Board Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 3,000 Operating hours: 6am- 6pm

Photo: N.Omar

“A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

66 Together WeCanWork Reaching fortheSkies Photo: NasraOmar Monthly Earnings:Ksh.3,000 Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, HallforHire No. ofFloors:I Water ServicesBoard Nairobi Water andSewerageCompany, Athi Partner Agencies:French DevelopmentAgency, Location:Gitadhuru village Group: Together wecanyouthgroup 67 The Bio Centre Story Photo: Odinga Mathare 68 St Helena 71 Twaweza 72 The Bio Centre Story Bio Centre The

69 St Helena In peace and Harmony

St Helena Legion Maria Church Year: 2011 Location: Mathare No. 10 Land Acquisition: Church Land No. of Floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, offices Operating hours:: 6.30am-9.30pm Daily Users: 100 Monthly Earnings: Ksh. 30,000

Photo: N.Omar The bio centre is owned and managed by the church that is affiliated to the Legio Maria, a spirit initiated church. The bio centre serves the church members and the children that school in the church’s academy, St Hellena Academy.

70 Together wecan community memberstouse atnocost. meetings andallowcommunity memberstorelax in.TheyalsohaveaTVintheirhallwhichthey allow football, toavoididleness.The biocentre hasagarden initsfront yard where thegroup membershold Twaweza communityproject’s initialaimwastopromote sporting activties amongtheyouth,especially Twaweza Community Group Photo: OdingaR.O Operating hours:6am-10pm Monthly Earnings:Ksh.60,000 Daily Users:150 Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Kitchenandhall No. ofFloors:I Land Acquisition:Communityland Development Program, EmbassyofSweden Partner Agencies:CivilSocietyUrban Location: Mabatini Year: 2011 Group: Twaweza CommunityProject 71 The Bio Centre Story Photo: N.Omar Kibagare 72 Photo: OdingaR.O produce biogas. Kibagare; thewasteisthendirected tothe bio-centre via asewerline.Onceatthecentre, itisusedto The biocentre servessupport toilets.Thetoiletshavebeenstrategicallyplacedtoserve mostof Operating hours:5.30am-10pm Monthly Earnings:Ksh.45,000 Daily Users:150-200 •Kibagare Hakizetuproject •Toilet foryouthtrustfundgroup •At Kibagare CompassionNurserySchool and supporttoilets;- Kitchen, MalaikaBabyCare andlearningcentre Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, rental rooms, No. ofFloors:I Community BasedOrganisation (K.C.B.O) Land Acquisition:DonatedbyKibagare Society UrbanDevelopmentProgram Jopson, SwedishInternational(CSUDP)-Civil Partner Agencies:HakiJamii,perJosepsonand Location: Kibagare Year: 2011 Settlement Group: Kibagare HakiZetuSavingand Kibagare The connection 73 The Bio Centre Story Photo: N.Omar Mji wa Huruma 74 Mukayo .V. Mukoyo Ready and Set to Get Going

Groups: Vision group, Kogeria women’s group, Young men Mushroom group, Upendo group, Kangei Nyakinywa,, Mwirerii group, Youth development group Partner Agenices: Chinese Embassy Year: 2010 Location: Mji wa huruma No. of Floors: I Daily Users:120-140 Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms Operating hours: 6am to 6pm

Photo: Odinga R. O

The chinese ambassador to Kenya helped ignite the flame of change through team work by encouraging the people of Mji wa Huruma to come together, pull resources and become a movement. The Bio Centre Story Bio Centre The

75 Nakuru Photo: N.Omar 76 Total Sanitation)program toimprove sanitation withinRhondaandKaptembwo The Biocentre isapartofgreater project, astrategyemployedintheworlwideCLTS (Community Led Mwamko Mpya Photo: OdingaR.O Activities: Toilets andBathrooms Land Acquisition:Community Action Partner Agencies:ComicReliefUKandPractical Location: Rhonda Year: 2014 Group: 9Groups Coming Up 77 The Bio Centre Story Nyanza & WesternPhoto: N.Omar 78 Bandani 80 Nyalenda Kibuye 81 85 Obunga 82 Homabay Manyatta 86 83 Legion 84 79 The Bio Centre Story Bandani Innovation and conservation

Group: Bandani bio-centre Location: Kogony sub-location Year: 2011 Partner Agencies: Sida, Civil Society Urban Development Programme (CSUDP), Kisumu Municipality, SANA, KIWASCO . Land Acquisition: Municipal land No of Floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Rental rooms, offices and a hall Daily Users: 80 Monthly Earnings: Kshs 15,000 Operating Hours: 6am- 6pm

Photo: Odinga R. O

One of the youth groups associated with the bio centre has gone beyond the confines of the neighbourhood to put in additional effort to save the Great Lake Victoria from the invasion of hyacinth by collecting it and reusing it to make household items. They sell the items at affordable prices and use the money to improve their lives.

80 small fee. The centre hastherefore specialisedinproviding baths, clientsare evensuppliedwithcakesofsoapata Numerous bodaoperatorscometo thecentre tofreshen upbefore andafteralongday’s work. Photo: N.Omar Nyalenda A Operating Hours:6.30am-6.30pm Monthly Earnings:Kshs6,000-16,500 Daily Users:45 Activities: Toilets andBathrooms No ofFloors:Ground floorOnly Land Acquisition:Communityland Pamoja Trust,NACK (EducationDepartment). wanavijiji-Nyalenda, PandipieriPrimarySchool, Umande Trust, KOEE(SECODE),Muunganowa Partner Agencies:Sida,COOPIandOVE, Year: 2010 Location: NyalendaB Group: NyalendaBio-towerproject A Fresh Start 81 The Bio Centre Story Obunga

At your door step

Group: Obunga bio-tower CBO (12 groups) Location: Obunga Year: 2011 Partner Agencies: Halcrow foundation, SANA, KIWASCO, MCK Land Acquisition: Donated by former councillor (James O. Oyollo) No of Floors: II Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Kitchen, Offices and a hall Daily Users: 80- 100 Monthly Earnings: Kshs 35,000 Operating Hours: 6am- 9pm

Photo: N.Omar

Obunga has a delegated water management model; whereby Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company has decentralized the water service provision by issuing licenses to the people to distribute water . WATSAN, a constituent group of the Obunga Bio Tower CBOs, distributes water, with such a license. They use lengthy pipes to pipe the water to homes within the settlement which are not connected to the city’s water supply system.

82 ‘In Kind’istheequationoflabour andnon-monetarycontributionssuchasfoodfor the workerstoshares. contributed incashformwhereas theoldermemeberscontribute‘inkind’. Group membershaveshares investedinthe biocentre estimatedatSh.5000.Newermembers Photo: N.Omar Manyatta Operating Hours:5am-Midnight Monthly Earnings:Kshs15,000 Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, OfficesHallforhire No ofFloors:I Land Acquisition:ManyattaPrimarySchoolland Sustainable AidinAfrica. and CCK, Cordaid (UrbanMatters,QuickWins) South Water ServicesBoard, KIWASCO, SANA, Partner Agencies:UmandeTrust, LakeVictoria Year: 2013 Location: ManyattaA management Group: ManyattaResidentAssociationBiotower Team Spirit 83 The Bio Centre Story Legion Power from above

Legion Maria of African Church Mission Location: Manyatta Year: 2013 Partner Agencies: Cordaid and the Church Land Acquisition: Own No of Floors: II Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Guest rooms, Kitchen and a hall Daily Users: 45 residents and their children Operating Hours: 24hrs Monthly Earnings: Kshs 1,000

Photo: N.Omar “When people come here from different places, they are suprised to see toilets as beautiful as these ones. The first thought that comes to their mind is that this is a house. Toilets are not usually this nice” - Bishop Mathews

84 always haspeoplearound non- alcoholicdrinks.Itgives thecentre a specialvibeanduniqueatmosphere asthecentre almost Kibuye Traders BioCentre convertedthetopfloorinto asocialmeetingarea servingbothalcoholicand Photo: N.Omar Operating Hours:6am-7pm Monthly Earnings:Kshs21,000-24,000 Daily Users:170-250 and aBar Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Office,Mpesashop No ofFloors:I Land Acquisition:Communityland Matters Partner Agencies:UN-HABITAT, CCKand Urban Year: 2012 Location: Kibuyemarket Group: KibuyeTraders Bio-centre CBO Kibuye Responsibility 85 The Bio Centre Story Homabay Lucky with the lake

Group: Homabay Environmental bio-centre initiative CBO (6 groups) Location: Arujo sub-location Year: 2013 Partner Agencies: South Nyanza Water Company, Public Health, NEMA, Municipal Council of Homabay and UN-HABITAT Land Acquisition: Community land No of Floors: I Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, Shop, Kitchen, hotel and hall Daily Users: 30- 37 Monthly Earnings: Kshs 45,000- 50,000 Operating Hours: 6.30am- 6pm

Photo: N.Omar The bio centre is located at a prime spot, on the shores of the Great Lake Victoria. It is ever breezy and calm hence the reason why the hotel that is located at the bio centre got the name ‘Breeze Point’. The bio centre produces biogas which is used as fuel in the preparation of food for the hotel. The bio centre mostly uses the lake water.

86 Photo: N.Omar

Schools Story Bio Centre The 87 Karima Girls 89 Machakos 90

Mbaga 91 Nyabondo 92 Silanga 93

88 stored forfuture use. has beentappedandpiped tooneoftheschoolkitchensbeusedforcookingwith therest ofitbeing constructed withcapacityof 124m3and31m3respectively. Biogasproduced from bothbio-digesters project inKarimagirlshighschool inpartnershipwithequity. The schoolhastwobio-digesters havebeen Umande trusthasbeenengaged inproviding technicalexpertiseinimplementationofbio-sanitation Photo: Umande Karima Girls Operating Hours24hrs Monthly Earnings:N/A Daily User:Students Activities: Toilets No. ofFloors:I Land Acquisition:Own Partner Agencies:EquityBank Year:2014 Location: Nyeri Gone Green 89 The Bio Centre Story Machakos Girls

Location: Machakos Year:2014 Partner Agencies: Equity Bank Land Acquisition: Own No. of Floors: I Activities: Toilets Daily Users: 600 Monthly Earnings: N/A Operating Hours 24 hrs

Photo: Umande

Climate change and the high demand for energy is the main threat to environmental sustainability to the institution. The school has abandoned the tree cutting way and has embraced the bio digester technology. Machakos Girls no longer needs to use 12 wheelbarrows of firewood a day and electricity bills are no much lower.

90 The schooluses thebiogasproduced from thebiocentre asfuelinthe schoolkitchen. product isfertiliser. human waste.Theuserpours inashintothetoiletafterusewhichmixeswithsolid wasteandtheend the school’s waste.There are alsoUrineDiversion Toilets. Thetoiletsystemseparatesthetwo typesof Mbaga GirlsPrimarySchool hasgonegreen. Thebiocentre isnottheonlytooltheyusetomanage Mbaga GirlsPrimarySchool Photo: OdingaR.O Operating Hours:24hrs Monthly Earnings:N/A Daily Users:Students conference room Activities: Toilets, Bathrooms, officesand No ofFloors:I Land Acquisition:Own Partner Agencies:Parents/ Teachers Association Year: 2012 Location: Mbaga-SiayaCounty Mbaga GirlsPrimaryBoarding School Gone Green 91 The Bio Centre Story Nyabondo Girls Primary School Adding colour to life

Nyabondo Girls Boarding Primary School Location: Nyabondo Year:2014 Land Acquisition: School’s land No of Floors: Ground Floor Activities: 16 Toilets Daily Users: 43 Staff and 370 girls Monthly Earnings: N/A Operating Hours: 24hrs

Photo: Umande

The project was done solely by the school with the help of Umande Trust. The school has put up toilets strategically all over the school for both students and staff

92 in SilangaPrimary Schoolbeingoneofthem. unique structuraldesignsof thelatrines’layout.Theyhavenumerous projects withinKhwisero, withthat Borders.University ofMontannaand who are The jointeffort partofEngineersWithout resulted in The structures’ designandconstruction wasdoneandfacilitatedbyengineeringstudents from the ShiraliPrimarySchool Photo: N.Omar Operating Hours:24hrs Daily Users:312 Activities: Toilets No ofFloors:Ground Flooronly Land Acquisition:Own Parents/ Teachers Association,AfricaNow Boarders, Partner Agencies:EngineersWithout Year: 2010 Location: Khwisero District Shirali PrimarySchool Unity inDivrsity 93 The Bio Centre Story Transformation The Bio Centre Story