From Gangs to Green Solutions: How Youth are Driving Climate Adaptation in Mukuru kwa Reuben

From Gangs to Green Solutions: How Youth are Driving Climate Adaptation in Mukuru kwa Reuben

We meet Mitchel Wanja Kamau, a trained water engineer and a vital member of Kwa Reuben Ubuntu Community Based Organization in Mukuru kwa Reuben informal settlement.

Mitchel explains how this CBO emerged from reformed gang members who sought to counter the exploitative use of youth for political goals.

She highlights Mukuru kwa Reuben's climate-related challenges such as severe water scarcity and rampant poor waste disposal. To address these, the group has pioneered an innovative Black Soldier Fly (BSF) initiative.

She meticulously explains their process which includes collecting and sorting organic waste from hotels, schools, and households, sometimes for very low pay, then feeding it to BSF larvae.

She details the entire BSF lifecycle, from eggs to adult flies, and the resulting protein-rich feed being used to sustain their own chicken and much more available for sale.

Mitchel emphasizes the ease of implementing BSF farming and encourages more youth to engage in this climate-smart venture for economic benefits.

Beyond BSF, she describes their crucial waste water management efforts, including unblocking drainages and sewer lines to reduce health risks, particularly for children. The CBO also creatively recycles old tires into gardens, promoting urban greening.

While lamenting the continued dumping of waste into the Ngong River, which they strive to clean, Mitchel suggests that the government should lead initiatives to ensure industries safely drain their wastewater away from rivers.

She proudly shares that over 60% of the community participates in their clean-ups, noting the positive impact of engaging youth who might otherwise turn to crime and drugs. She also touches on gender roles within the CBO, where men typically handle physical tasks like cart-pulling, and women lead the waste sorting.

Despite resource limitations, she remains optimistic. She encourages schools to establish environmental clubs to foster early engagement in climate action.