Kenya faces severe climate change challenges, but young entrepreneurs and community leaders are pioneering green initiatives to combat deforestation, water scarcity, and plastic pollution. In 2022, Anita Owiti, a Young African Research Fellow at the HSRC, interviewed young people in Kibera and Dandora, low-income neighbourhoods of Nairobi, Kenya, to explore how local entrepreneurs were turning environmental crises into sustainable business opportunities. This article by Lindiwe Malumbazo is based on episode 4 of a podcast series called Hustling the African Dream, which explores how young Kenyans create livelihoods from waste products.
Climate change poses a monumental challenge for Kenya, a country heavily dependent on its natural environment. In 2015, Boutin and Smit reported that over 70% of people in sub-Saharan Africa relied on agriculture for their livelihoods, highlighting the dangers posed by climate change to people’s livelihoods. This is compounded by Kenya’s severe deforestation, water scarcity, and plastic pollution. In 2021, the World Bank found that Nairobi alone generated 2,400 tons of solid waste daily, with 20% of this being plastic.
Despite these challenges, some young Kenyans are taking proactive steps to mitigate environmental damage and harness green economy opportunities, supported by the government’s reforestation programmes, establishment of protective areas, and renewable energy developments, particularly geothermal power. Youth activity and government intervention are further aided by numerous grassroots initiatives, showcasing the potential for collective environmental stewardship to mitigate the dangers of climate change and generate livelihoods.
In 2022, Anita Owiti, a Young African Research Fellow at the HSRC, interviewed young people in the Kibera and Dandora neighbourhoods of Nairobi, Kenya to explore how local entrepreneurs were turning environmental crises into sustainable business opportunities. This research was part of the HSRC’s The Imprint of Education (TIE) project.
The challenge of informality and a lack of land ownership
Kibera is one of Africa’s largest informal settlements, housing over one million people. Established in the early 20th century, it has grown rapidly without formal planning or government support. This has resulted in inadequate infrastructure, including poor waste management systems. The absence of proper sanitation and waste disposal facilities forces residents to dump trash in open spaces, streams, and other areas, contributing to severe pollution and health risks.
Amid these challenging conditions, Brian, a former gang member turned environmental activist, has emerged as a beacon of hope. Determined to transform his own life and the lives of others in his community, Brian founded Slums Going Green and Clean, an organisation dedicated to improving waste management in Kibera. Comprising 1,200 members, this group represents a grassroots effort to tackle the pressing issue of waste in one of the country’s most densely populated and underserved areas.
Brian’s personal journey from a life of crime to environmental activism underscores the transformative power of community-led initiatives. “Being poor around the slum means the only job you could do is to pick up waste and walk around collecting [empty] bottles [to exchange],” Brian explains. His transition from gang life to environmental stewardship was fuelled by a desire to make a positive impact in his community.
Slums Going Green and Clean has adopted innovative methods to manage and repurpose waste in Kibera. The organisation collects waste from 3,000 houses twice a week, showcasing the potential of local efforts to address waste management challenges. One of their most creative projects involved constructing an office from discarded wine bottles. This unique approach highlighted the potential of recycled materials and served as a symbol of ingenuity and sustainability. Furthermore, the NGO produces puppets known as ‘scrape-scrolls’ using gathered waste, and provides guided tours of slums for a nominal charge, catering particularly to individuals who have never experienced a slum first-hand. As reported by Owiti in the podcast, the NGO also operates a plastic bottle farm exclusively dedicated to cultivating mushrooms.
However, the challenges of land ownership and the informal nature of slums in Kenya have hindered their progress. An unauthorised settlement since 1963, Kibera lacks government support and land rights for residents. This precarious situation led to the destruction of their innovative wine bottle-built office, as the landlord reclaimed the land. Despite these setbacks, Brian and his team continue to find creative ways to manage waste and support their community.
Art and waste: creative solutions
In Dandora, a densely populated area known for its massive landfill, Clement Henry uses his artistic talents to contribute to waste management. Dandora’s landfill serves as Nairobi’s primary dumping ground, posing severe health risks to residents. Henry’s community work focuses on health and environmental activities, and he also turns waste into art.
“I do jewellery through recycling scrap metals, some from dumpsites and some from garbage management projects,” Henry explains in the podcast. His jewellery business provides an income and engages the community in environmental conservation. The post-election violence in 2007 spurred Henry and others to find ways to bring the community together, leading to the initiation of garbage management projects.
Lessons for South Africa
The Kenyan entrepreneurs’ innovative approaches to waste management offer valuable lessons for other countries facing similar challenges, including South Africa, which grapples with high youth unemployment. A Statistics SA report shows that the youth unemployment rate in South Africa remained significantly high in the first quarter of 2024, at 59.7% for individuals aged 15–24 years and 45.5% for the broader age group of 15–34 years. Youth unemployment in the country continues to be much higher than the national average unemployment rate of 32.9%.
Like Kenya, South Africa has waste challenges that can be turned into green economy initiatives to tackle youth unemployment. In 2021, Amankwa and other researchers reported that South Africa produced 2.4 million tons of plastic, with only 14% being recycled.
By turning environmental challenges into livelihoods, the young Kenyan entrepreneurs demonstrated how grassroots initiatives could drive economic and social change. According to Brian, social change in Kibera has had a profound impact on the local gangs, as they have transitioned from engaging in criminal activities to tackling the issue of waste management within the community. These former criminals have successfully undergone a process of rehabilitation and are currently actively contributing to positive change.
The organisation’s endeavours to promote an environmentally sustainable slum have also had a notable economic impact. This initiative has created employment opportunities for numerous young individuals within the community, allowing them to contribute to the economy and earn a livelihood. Moreover, it has fostered a shift in attitudes towards waste, encouraging young people and the community to perceive it as a potential avenue for financial participation.
Towards youth agency
The HSRC fellows’ work on the podcast series embodies participatory research by actively involving young people in producing and disseminating knowledge.
“Fellows are not mere recipients of information; they become active contributors and researchers, collecting stories from their communities,” says Dr Andrea Juan, a chief research specialist at the HSRC. “This approach ensures that the research is rooted in the lived experiences of those it seeks to represent, providing authentic and relevant insights. Furthermore, the podcasts’ emancipatory nature lies in their ability to empower young people,” says Juan.
By sharing success stories of initiatives, the podcast series can equip listeners with practical knowledge, inspiration, and the confidence to pursue their own entrepreneurial projects. This information sharing can lead to greater agency and autonomy among young Africans, enabling them to take control of their socioeconomic futures.
The research findings and podcasts also aim to enhance the visibility and recognition of young people’s efforts, attracting support from NGOs, government agencies, and private sector partners, which could lead to increased funding, mentoring, and other forms of support, bolstering the sustainability and impact of the initiatives that are showcased.
Listen to the podcast: https://telltalepodcasts.transistor.fm/episodes/hustling-the-african-dream-episode-4
Disclaimer: This article was produced in the context of The Imprint of Education study conducted by the HSRC in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Foundation, its staff, or its board of directors.
Research contact:
Dr Andrea Juan, co-principal investigator of the TIE project in the Equitable Education and Economies (EEE) research division of the HSRC
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