The Mukuru slow killer

By Suleiman Chacha

Mukuru slums are home to over 600,000 people. Almost 85% of this population is youths. With high levels of unemployment in these slums and the country at large, many people operate small-scale businesses selling vegetables and fruits or hawking various items but capital to start these businesses has also become a major setback. Most of the families live below a dollar a day or worse still go to bed on an empty stomach.

 

With low earnings or none at all to feed themselves and their families, this fellow human beings look to other means for survival. They engage in vices such as prostitution, begging in the streets, robberies and drugs and substance abuse. Some even sell drugs to their fellow slum dwellers just to make ends meet.

Drug abuse has hit Mukuru Slums like wildfire. While it is assumed youths in these over populated Mukuru Slums engage themselves in drug abuse knowingly, a step in the shoes of a Mukuru resident gives you a totally different story. Most engage in drug abuse unknowingly. How? You may wonder. Relax and let us give you the inside story.

                                                        

Cannabis, bhang, ganja, weed, marijuana, call it whatever name you want to call it, is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug and as medicine. Contemporary uses of cannabis are as a recreational or medicinal drug, and as part of religious or spiritual rites; the earliest recorded uses date from the 3rd millennium BC. In 2004, the United Nations estimated that global consumption of cannabis indicated that approximately 4% of the adult world population (162 million people) used cannabis annually, and that approximately 0.6% (22.5 million) of people used cannabis daily.

 Since the early 20th century cannabis has been subject to legal restrictions with the possession, use, and sale of cannabis preparations containing psychoactive cannabinoids currently illegal in most countries of the world; the United Nations has said that cannabis is the most-used illicit drug in the world.
                                                                              
In Mukuru slums its common to find people smoking bhang especially the youths and in fact the natural plant has been smoked since time immemorial but beware bhang smokers in Mukuru Slums, there is a new trend in town.

Due to unemployment and desperation to make ends meet, some scrupulous individuals have derived scrupulous means to make an extra living out of the poor in the poverty stricken Mukuru slums by addicting them to drugs without their knowledge. how you may ask?

This greedy, selfish, uncaring, individuals mix sedatives with dry bhang leaves and make small bhang rolls the size of cigarettes which they sell cheaply to unsuspecting youths in the slums. One roll goes for 20ksh while the most expensive goes for 50ksh.

                                              

While the youth languishes in drugs and substance abuse without their knowledge, the peddlers get rich and richer. the more they inhale the more addicted they become and its only a matter of time before they become useless and a liability to the community.

These peddlers are scattered like sand all over the Mukuru slums and they are out with a mission, to addict as many youths as possible and they are speaking same business language.

''Its really bad. The habit is spreading like wildfire and more and more youths are getting hooked to drugs without their knowledge. This thing is killing the future of Mukuru and we must do something to curb this menace that's why we as Footprints Community Development Volunteerism are working together with Mukuru Slum News to create awareness and ensure that this stops,'' said Isaac Okumu co-founder FCDV http://www.fcdv.org/home/index.php?flag=home

While the whole country is engulfed in the insecurity uprising, we should not neglect this issue that is slowly claiming the lives of able bodied youths in the slums who can make a difference. We at Mukuru Slum News want to urge all NGOs and other interested parties and stakeholders to come join hands together and create awareness about drugs and substance abuse and make sure we eradicate this disease that is slowly crippling the future of Mukuru and our great nation as a whole.

Arising Mukuru football prodigy

By Suleiman Chacha, Nairobi

Maurice Odhiambo in full flight

Many people believe that nothing good can come out of the slums but people like Patrick Oboya who plays his professional football in Slovakia and Maurice Odhiambo now in Denmark are sufficient proof that there’s indeed raw talent and potential in the slums. Nurturing is the only missing ingredient.

Oboya in action

In this modern day and time, talent is the main key to success but living in the densely populated Slums of Mukuru is a massive challenge in itself to the slum youths hence many end up not even identifying what their talent is.

Many young talented youths are exposed to many vices such as drug abuse, prostitution and robbery instead of the vast available opportunities to sharpen their talent and skills but behold despite the numerous challenges and obstacles, one bold, brave, patient and immensely talented young individual has embraced all his challenges while growing up in Mukuru Kayaba Slum to make it to the top of professional football.

 Former Harambee stars under 20 skipper Maurice Odhiambo recently signed a two year contract with Danish 3^rd tier side Lolland Falster Alliancen. Things are surely looking up for this left footed offensive midfielder.

However, it has not been an easy ride to the top for this humble, patient and down to earth young man who grew up in the poverty stricken Slums of Mukuru, selling peanuts for a living. Given his tough and difficult childhood, Odhiambo knew his only chance at a decent life was through his talent.

His passion and love for the game was immense such that he used to run away from his humble home to go and train at the Railway Training Institute never minding the pangs of hunger that would follow later.

He was a gifted natural dribbler hence nicknamed the young Zidane.

“Back then I used to laugh at him (Maurice). He wasn’t so good when it came to books but he was almost invisible in the field. I used to play for fun but he played with a purpose, a reason. That desire to achieve something. You could see it in the way he played. He was hungry for success and I am proud he has made it this far. What drives him is his self belief and it’s a matter of time before he takes the football world by storm.” Said Jaspah Ouna his close friend and ally since childhood

Maurice in action for the Czech side Siad Most

This is however his second time to give a shot at professional football. In 2008 at the age of 18 he went to the Czech Republic for trials and turned out for the reserve team of Siad Most where he spent 3 years before he was called to captain the Kenyan under 20 team in the African cup and world cup qualifiers.

After an impressive outing with the under 20 he was further drafted into the senior team where he played a couple of friendly matches before heading back to join Patrick Oboya at Siad Most. 

Nakuru All Stars logo

In 2011 Maurice jetted back to the country and signed for KPL side KCB before heading to Nakuru All Stars, a professional Kenyan football club based in Nakuru county where he was made captain.

He left Nakuru All Stars together with the side’s top striker Sebastian Muchera who has now returned back to All Stars for the trials in Denmark.

In Denmark things were tougher and harder than he had anticipated but given he had tasted such situations in the Czech Republic and his never say never attitude, he soldiered on. He needed a break through. 

Everything seemed to go well while in trials until the unexpected happened, he sustained an ankle injury only two weeks with the team. He was disappointed and heartbroken. His dream was coming to shutters but unknown to him he had already done more than enough to convince the technical bench.

“The conditions here are tough. I am not used to snow so it’s very hard for me. Then training with an injury while at the same time you have to prove how good you are, it’s not easy. You are constantly under pressure.” He told Mukuru Slum news

The former Kamukunji student is now taking things step by step. Though he has great ambitions and aspirations, he is tackling his hurdles one by one.

“First I want to get myself to compete in the 1^st or 2^nd league to gain more pro football experience. Then try and see myself compete at the highest level of football because it’s not easy as it look on TV.” Says Odhiambo

He is optimistic that the young talented football players from the now crime plagued Mukuru Slums can equally make it if only they remain focused.

“Everything is achievable and hard work pays in the end and no matter what you go through you’ll always find a decent place for champions but to achieve this Sacrifice and hard work are key ingredients.” He advises

humble Maurice

Maurice is certain that he and his mentor Patrick Oboya have set the ball rolling for the youngsters in Mukuru Slums and together they have promised to mentor young boys and girls so that they become successful in life. Oboya runs a football academy in Mukuru-Mariguini area where he was born and bred.

 

There you have it; something good is actually out of Mukuru Slums and believe it when they say that these hugely talented young men straight from the shanties are going to mesmerize football lovers across the globe and this is just the beginning you haven’t seen anything yet.

Heal the Nation

by Mukuru slum news reporter



Pawa 254 a non-governmental, non-profit making organization in Kenya has launched the second phase of its peace initiative campaign dubbed "Heal the Nation slum screenings"

"The Heal the Nation DVD is a 30-minute documentary providing eye-witness accounts of the tragedy that befell Kenya after December 2007 General elections.

In this DVD, post election victims and perpetrators meet for the first time ever to narrate their horrendous experiences in which loss and regrets are the common denominators.

In the end 1500 were killed and more than 500,000 displaced.

The documentary reveals the scars form the conflict and opens conversations that could lead to national healing and reconciliation".

The screenings which premiered on 3rd Saturday and are to go all the way to December 2012, were received warmly especially by Mukuru slum residents in Makadara constituency.

"We need peace especially during this General election.Its the only thing that can unite us as Kenyans.Let us not be divided along tribal lines.All the 42 tribes in Kenya make one Kenya without one, Kenya is incomplete". Urged Sylvester Mariko a pastor in the slums.

They wisest say that a wise man learns from another man's mistakes and Kenyans as wise as we are ought to have learnt from the Rwandan genocide if not from our very own post election violence of 2007.

And just like Johann Krigler the South African judge said in his visit to Kenya during the post election violence, surely if Kenyans  don't address the need to reforms, the events of January 2008 may look like a Christmas party in 2012.

Wanyama good enough for Barcelona

 by mukuru slum news reporter

After a sterling performance against Barcelona in the champions league at the camp nou, Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes that Kenyan defensive midfielder Victor Mugubi Wanyama is good enough to play for Barcelona.

Wanyama who according to Neil Lennon is worth ksh3.4billion turned down a new contract with the Scottish champions and its believed that big English clubs are interested in his services.

Its believed that 19 times English champions Manchester united and their bitter London based rivals Arsenal are both eyeing Wanyama who featured in the recent Harambee stars 2-1 loss to Bafana Bafana but the Hoops manager insists that Celtic is under no pressure to sell the 21year old.

"Wanyama has the world at his feet but his feet are here and they wont be going anywhere unless we say so". he said.

Mugubi joined Celtic in July 2011 in a ksh122 million move from Belgian top-flight club Beerschot, signing a four year contract.

About turning down a new contract Neil Lennon said that it was up to the club's Chief Executive Peter Lawwel to re-open the negotiations .

"We may go back to him again but we have offered him a significant pay rise". he said.

"We don't have to do that but we feel its a reward for his performances.Its credit to the club and the board and i agree with that philosophy of rewarding players for performances". he added.

If Wanyama moves to the English top-flight he will be the first ever Kenyan to ever grace the premier league and also the first from east Africa not forgetting he will be the highly paid player in the region.

300 for Messi

 

 Lionel Messi smashed through the 300 goal mark after scoring a brace against Rayo Vallecano as Barcelona demolished the Madrid side 5-0 to go three points clear at the top of La Liga.

Messi's goals were the 300th and 301 of his career, a total made up of 270 for Barca and 31 for his national side Argentina in only 419 matches.

The football Messiah as he has been nicknamed is now the La Liga top scorer with 13 league goals this season two ahead of Christiano Ronaldo who also scored a brace against Malloca.

Messi has 73 goals in all competitions in 2012.
Given the statistics, the Argentine wonder boy is just two goals short of Brazilian legend Pele's75 goals for Santos and Brazil in 1959 and only 12 shy of the great Gerd Mueller's all time best record of 85 goals for Bayern Munich and West Germany in 1972.

Messi who is only 25 years and yet to reach his peak but already has three world best player trophies under his cap has been largely tipped by football pundits to smash more world records and by the look of things the football Messiah is not disappointing unless football is declared an illegal sport.

nawa mikono okoa maisha

By chacha

15th October 2012 was world hand-washing day and the children in Mukuru slums surely marked the little celebrated yet lifesaving global event in style courtesy of Okoa Mtoto Initiative Kenya a Non Governmental Organization in these densely populated slums under the most able hands of its country Director Isabel Muraguri.

The chief sponsors Via Holding Save The Children Japan together with other stakeholders such as coca-cola, Nairobi Water company, Dairy land, Aquva Agencies and not forgetting the Ministry of Health did a recommendable job.

More than a 1,000 children drawn from different schools within Mukuru slums participated.

Nairobi Water Managing Director Eng. Philip Gichuki sent his regards through Mr. Mbaruku Vyakweli the corporate affairs manager.

Mr. Mbaruku promised to donate a 10,000 liters tank of water to help in regular hand-washing exercise in Mukuru.

"Although there is water shortage in the country I would prefer this life saving event to be on a daily basis not annually but unfortunately that is not possible and that's why we as Nairobi Water are providing a 10000 liters tank purposely for hand-washing exercise." he said with a broad smile.

The Ministry of Health through the community health workers took the children through the 5 main steps of hand-washing repeatedly so that they could master and at some point they allowed the children to do the hand-washing demonstrations themselves.

The chairman of Okoa Mtoto Initiative Kenya Mr. Lawrence kamau thanked all the stake-holders who had made the day a success and welcomed all well wishers to come to Mukuru slums and "save a life because that life may be yours".

the dying tradition

by chacha

Illegal drink? I don’t think so.

Busaa is a purely African drink made from sorghum, maize or millet flour.

This traditional drink is very popular in Western Kenya and some communities in Nyanza Province.

In this communities especially the Abaluhya , Abagusii and the Abakuria communities all cultural festivities are not complete without this purely traditional concoction with no side effects apart from making you high and mellow. That is in the countryside.

Due to advanced rural-urban migration for obvious reasons, this traditional frothy drink has found its way into the heart of the capital city and other major cities in the country.

Although it’s an adult’s affair the drink knows no limits as even teens engage in its consumption.

Weekends are the most popular days for its consumption here in the slums of Mukuru and believe me it sells like hot-cakes on a rainy day.

“Busaa reminds us of home in up-country and keeps our culture intact’’. Says Mr. Wekesa

The consumers usually sit in a group of 3 to six or even more people depending on the size of the container containing the drink. They drink from the container using pipes while listening to traditional music.

All was well until the Government cracked the whip on brewers of cheap local drinks.

Landmawe area sub-chief Mr. Famau Ali has every reason to believe that there are other harmful substances that are included in the brewing process hence making the end product harmful.

“Some brewers don’t mind the health of their customers. They add harmful substances to increase the level of alcoholism that’s why there are rampant cases of blindness and sudden deaths after consuming the drinks”, he says.

Due to Government strictness on this subject, brewing and drinking of busaa has become a game of cat and mouse.

The brewers have established hide-outs in these slums of Mukuru only known by regular consumers making it very hard for the Government to exercise the full arm of the law.

“This culture of police harassment is surely going to kill our tradition which was exercised by our fore-fathers”, says Mrs. Nekesa Wafula with a tone of sadness.

“Instead of banning the drinks they should introduce strict guidelines and means of regulating the brewing process through licensing.” She adds.

“These local alcoholic drinks have claimed many lives and ruined many homes. They have caused poverty and despair. Enough is enough. The drinks maybe traditional but some greedy people are benefiting at the expense of innocent Kenyans.”  Says Mr. Ali.

Whether illegal or not, one thing is clear, our tradition which is supposed to be celebrated and enjoyed anywhere in our beloved country of many cultures is at stake and something needs to be done pretty soon.