Kiandutu Sanitation Unit: Molo Cluster
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The Kiandutu Sanitation Project is a community led project initiated by savings schemes in Kiandutu slum (also referred to as the Kiandutu Muungano Network). Muungano wa Wanavijiji in collaboration with the Kiandutu community carried out an enumeration and mapping process in 2012, which revealed that the sanitation conditions in the settlement were very poor. The enumeration showed that approximately forty-two (42) individuals use one toilet in the settlement yet the recommended standards are one (1) toilet for every twenty (20) individuals.
The Kiandutu Sanitation project aimed to construct two public units that would provide much needed sanitation services and significantly advance the case for tenure regularization. Construction approval by the Kiambu City Government was a partial acceptance of the tenure rights of the slum's residents.
Location: Kiandutu, Nairobi, KenyaConstruction work on the structure (toilet block) is complete, the installation of toilet seats, showers and sinks has also been completed. Molo village sanitation block is a double storey. On the lower floor it has twelve (12) toilets, two (2) shower rooms and a water point. On the first floor there is a community meeting space and an office. It is connected to a sewer in the settlement.
Community capacity:Federation members' advocacy strategies, information and finance management, including community procurement capacities have been improved through participation in this project. Getting toilet blocks up and functioning has been as much about increasing collective capacities within the communities as about improving sanitation conditions. The choice of communal toilet blocks matches the collective nature of the problem with a collective response. The Kiandutu community-based organization became the local agents of change, helping the consultant engineer in coming up with community sensitive designs, choosing the location, and setting the membership fee. For many communities, this project is the largest collective action they have been involve in, yet it is the first of many required to upgrade their settlement.
Scale:The settlement of Kiandutu has eight (8) sub-settlements/villages. Recently the government started a programe for improving infrastructure in the settlement under the National Youth Service (NYS). This will include constructing sanitation blocks in the sub-settlements. The only opportunity to scale up on sanitation projects in the settlement is through the construction of toilets at individual household level. Muungano wa Wanavijiji’s approach on the project exemplifies a situation where, on the one hand, communities plan, construct and manage toilets in their settlements. On the other hand, the State provides approvals, capital funds and much needed infrastructure.
Impact:The project has greatly impacted slum dwellers throughout Kenya who are members of the Federation. It has inspired communities to explore Federation organizing strategies in advocating for access to proper sanitation facilities.
The Federation managed to demonstrate to both communities and the Local Authority that if communities take charge of identifying community spaces, tailoring the design to local needs and constructing and maintaining the toilet, then the provision of sanitation infrastructure in informal settlements could be adequately addressed.
The strength of Federation data collection processes was revealed to the Government, which has used Muungano data to design the ongoing informal settlement infrastructure upgrading project by the National Youth Service. Eighteen (18) informal settlements will benefit from this upgrading process, Kiandutu included.
The role of women in the construction phase of the project has been phenomenal. The women offered unskilled labour in the construction process, particularly in the preparation of the blocks that were used to construct the bio-tower dome. This has revolutionized the role of women in aiding development projects in their settlements.
Finance: SDI Contributions:SDI Capital contribution for phase one (1) was US$68,141.
Resources Leveraged:The Federation managed to acquire land to construct the two sanitation blocks. The size of the land which was leveraged is half (½) an acre. The Federation was also able to reduce the cost of sewer and water connections.
Market Generated Returns:None to date.
Costs recovered from community:None to date.
| Contact | Telephone | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Makau | jackmakau@sdinet.org | (+254) 20 267 770 | View Website |
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Project information updated: 17 November 2015
Project in depth
Detailed Information
The objective of the project was aided by Muungano’s mapping and enumeration report on Kiandutu settlement. Through the data produced, the Federation was able to prioritize areas that needed improved sanitation. The Federation through a partnership with the University of Nairobi conducted a (sanitation) studio which affirmed the need for sanitation in these two settlements. As anticipated the sanitation blocks required and acquired planning and building approvals from the Kiambu County Government – which was a major milestone in the land tenure advocacy strategy.
There is an initiative by the Thika sub-county administration through construction of several sanitation blocks across the villages in Kiandutu Settlement. There are also two sanitation blocks by the Muungano wa Wanavijiji; One is the ablution block in Molo cluster while the other is a biotower sanitation model in Biashara cluster.
Complete construction of two (2) sanitation blocks in Kiandutu informal settlement; one in Molo and the other in Biashara.
Community capacity:The capacity building measures would include community mobilization through a series of orientation and training to enhance community capacity to plan, implement, operate and manage its sanitation facilities. The aim is to strengthen the community savings schemes network in Kiandutu so as to manage the sanitation blocks.
Scale:Complete construction of two (2) sanitation blocks to set precedent for community constructed and managed sanitation facilities.
Impact:The sanitation blocks are in a settlement which has a population of four thousand three hundred and fifty-three (4,353) people, comprising two thousand one hundred and thrity-nine (2,139) families according to the enumeration report on Kiandutu. The eight (8) sub-settlements of Kiandutu have twelve (12) savings schemes, which have contributed to the project through advocacy and mobilizing more members to join the Federation.
The strategic importance of the Kiandutu sanitary improvement was not only in its immediate benefits but as a stepping stone towards more comprehensive upgrading of settlements and recognition of their residents, collectively as well as individually.
Finance: SDI Contributions:The total SDI contribution was US$85,176 of which US$68,141 was a capital contribution.
State Subsidy:Land for the construction of the toilet blocks.
Market Generated Returns:None to date.
Costs recovered from community:None to date.
Mbaka, S. (2014). Regularisation of Informal Settlements: A Tale of Kiandutu Slums. [Online]. Available: https://muunganosupporttrust.wordpress.com/2014/05/22/regularisation-of-informal-settlements-a-tale-of-kiandutu-slums.
Muungano wa Wanavijiji. (2015). Muungano Signs MoU with Kiambu County Government to Launch Partnership. [Online]. Available: https://muunganosupporttrust.wordpress.com/2015/08/13/muungano-signs-mou-with-kiambu-county-government-to-launch-partnership.
Republic of Kenya. Achievements of the National Youth Service in line with the Five-Point Vision. [Online]. Available: http://nys.go.ke/public/content/item/135/ACHIEVEMENTS-OF-THE-NATIONAL-YOUTH-SERVICE-IN-LINE-WITH-THE-5-POINT-VISION.
Funding Information
Raised: | $85,176.00 |
Funding type: | Grant funding |
Implementing Partners
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Muungano Support Trust (MuST)
