Water, sanitation & energy consultation: Mukuru kwa Reuben segment 4 (Kosovo & Railway)
Where? Maendeleo Learning centre
When? 9.10.18
What? Water, sanitation and energy consortium consultation (Muungano alliance, Oxfam, Sanergy, Strathmore University, Nairobi Water Company,
Who? 73 resident representatives of SPA Mukuru kwa Reuben segment 4 (villages of Kosovo & Railway), representatives from the WSE consortium & Muungano facilitators.
About the community consultations:
This note is from the first of three sets of community consultations by the water, sanitation and energy consortium of the SPA.
This first set of consultation meetings are segment-level dreaming sessions, where residents share their views and aspirations with the consortium, and where the consortium works with the community to identify issues and challenges, community priorities, and ideas for potential solutions – all relating to water, sanitation and energy.
After the first consultation meetings, the consortium will develop a draft sectoral plan for the segment – this draft sectoral plan will be derived from the dreams shared in the first set of consultation meetings and tested against the existing reality of Mukuru.
In later sets of meetings, first at segment level, the consortium will seek residents’ feedback on these draft plans, which will then be revised accordingly. And then all 8 of the SPA consortiums will together share the final integrated development plan, for adoption by Mukuru’s residents.
Attendance
WSE consortium members present
Patrick Njoroge AMT Program Officer
Meremiya Hussein Sanergy Programs
Naomy Obunga Sanergy Programs
Kellen Muchira Caritas Switzerland Project manager
Aruna SITE Programs
Mwaura SDI Kenya Programs
WSE consortium members absent with apology
Ignatius Maranga Strathmore University
Jack Oduor Umande Trust
James Mucheke NCWSC
John Owegi Oxfam International
Jamlick Mutie KIWASH – USAID
Alex Manyasi Sanergy
Mario Kaingi NCG
Opening remarks
The meeting came to order at 10:00am with an opening prayer from Patrick one of the community members.
Discussions – Water
Patrick : Patrick opened ground for everyone in the meeting to introduce themselves. This was followed by noting the organizations that have partnered with the government in this project. Caritas specializing on water, Sanergy specializing on sanitation, Oxfam, Umande Trust specializing on sanitation, Strathmore University specializing on energy, Slum Dwellers International, and Akiba Mashinani Trust. He further explained how the county will take steps to ensure the actualization of the Mukuru Integrated Development Plan. After introduction, the discussions proceeded with Kellen on water.
Kellen - Caritas: She clarified that she will focus on water but before she gives her opinion she would like the community to outline their water related problems.
Catherine - Railways: She outlined a number of challenges:
1. Water problem, without money they do not get water. It is sold @ ksh.5 on normal days but can go as high as Ksh. 20 on other days.
2. During rainy season water sips into their houses making it difficult to prepare sleeping space for the children.
Miriam – Wesinya: The water pipes are mixed with sewage lines causing water pollution.
Beatrice – Railway
1. The water wee use is from individuals not from the county.
2. It causes drainage issues causing roads to be impassable.
3. We have water from Nairobi water, though little. However, if we are given more of it, we could use it to ensure a clean environment.
4. When it rains the drainage systems overflow causing the roads to be impassable.
Mary - Kosovo: We will be grateful if we are assisted with water treatments. At least if the water is contaminated we can treat the water.
Godfrey - Kosovo: Trucks or tankers that pass where the water pipes are located cause them to burst beneath the ground. In addition, it takes long to get them fixed.
Jane – Railway: Is it possible for us to get water token?
Kellen: How much do you spend on water?
The community: we spend Ksh. 5 on normal days and up to Ksh. 20 on bad days. That makes it Ksh. 60 on water a day and Ksh. 1800 a month. In total, we spend about Ksh. 21,600 a year on water.
She noted that is a lot of money spent on water. Not to forget other expenses such as water treatments, taking the child for treatment in case of infection and others have not been included. In well off areas such as Imara Daima one pipe is used by four households while one pipe here is used by 230 households. It is tiresome and time wasting when that effort could possibly be directed into doing other things. Poverty penalty.
What do you have in mind that could change your current situation? What part would you like the government to make changes?
Christine - Kosovo
1. The government should drill borehole water for us.
2. We need water token.
Wycliffe
1. The government should bring the water closer.
2. Structure owners should also ensure the water gets closer. So that every plot has water and put a meter. That way, we will cost share.
3. The plot owners should have padlocks to lock the meters.
4. The people who are given tenders raise the prices and cause water problems as it leads to spaghetti pipes.
Kellen: Borehole water is currently impossible because of the environment crisis faced. A borehole would still cause the spread of diseases.
Kioko: He seconded the motion on water token. That way, one pays according to their use.
Kellen: Only Nairobi water should be distributing water. : When tenders are given there are fixed water tariffs depending on income levels.: Structure owners may not want to carry all the burden, because he or she has to be able to bring the whole system closer considering he or she is not the plot owner.: I second the motion on water at plot level and water token. They are good ideas.
Pastor: It will be a bit difficult and costly for structure owners. It should be handled by the county government. They should provide at least three water points where everyone can access the water compared to putting all the weight on structure owners.
Kellen: We will have more meetings.: There is ATM water. Groups are given first priority on ATM water. However, they are run by organized community groups.
Sanitation
Masasia: On normal days one can spend Ksh. 30. Although with Fresh life it is Ksh. 5 but it is not currently in the community.
Meremiya: What diseases do you mostly face?
Community: Diarrhea, Typhoid, Cholera and other bacterial infections.
Meremiya: How can we solve toilet issues?
Florence: Waste is drained from the pit latrines and damped in the drainage areas.
Meremiya: How long does it take before the toilets get full?
Mercy: It takes about a week. The area is mushy thus the water table is high. It affects how fast the waste moves up and eventually pours out.
Masasia: The government should help with tankers to help remove the waste.
Community Member: All we need is a good sewer line, with a good sewer line we will not have problems. Landlords should be engaged on the sewer line.: Poor drainage system is affecting the community. A tenant constructs a toilet by raising four blocks. When the toilet is full and lacks proper channel to empty the toilet, the tenant removes a block at the back of the toilet and lets the waste pour out on the road or drainage and the toilet use continues.: The motion on proper sewer line was seconded by the entire community.
Community Member: I spotted one of the Fresh Life waste collectors pouring the urine in the drainage. It mixed with the drinking water the community relies on. However, I reported the concern to the company and I have not seen it happen again.
Miriam – Community Member
1. The county should come up with a communal septic tank.
2. There should be rules put in place prohibiting those pouring waste in drainage areas.
3. All waste should be taken to the septic tank.
Meremiya: Who will the community report to, to ensure irresponsible individuals stop pouring waste in the drainage?
Community Member: The issues can be reported to the Chief ward admin, and Community Help Assistant (CHA)
Community Member: We need to be the initiators before any other help comes. We can start by taking care of our drainage systems, cleaning up food stuff and other wastes from the drainage systems. At the same time, if we act as the watch dogs, everyone will become accountable for their actions.
Energy
Patrick: He enquired from the community on what energy source they use most for electricity. A majority stated that they use token electricity, some use sambaza and some use both. It was noted, even though a majority used token they complained that it is expensive.
Mwaura: Mwaura introduced himself and outlined the topics of discussion on lighting and cooking.: How many of you use token? How many of you use sambaza?: By a show of hands, most use token and a few use sambaza. Though most used sambaza before because it is cheap. : He outlined that although sambaza is cheap, it is dangerous.: He advised the community to embrace the use LED bulbs.: On cooking he enquired on those using stove, charcoal, gas, and coil. By a show of hands, a majority use charcoal and gas.: He advised on the use of briquettes for cooking as it generates a lot of energy and stays for long.: The motion was seconded by a few who were aware of the technology.: Those aware of the technology volunteered to teach the others on how to make briquettes and use them.
AOB
Doris – Community Mobilizer: Encouraged the community to attend county meetings called CIDP, noting that increased participation would favor their awareness and development. The meetings are always publicized through various ways including the radio stations such as Reuben FM. Therefore, it is everyone’s responsibility to stay connected and willingly participate without the expectation of getting a certain monetary reward at the end of the meetings.
End Meeting: There being no other agenda, the meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m. with a closing prayer from Patrick.