Muungano wa Wanavijiji Akiba Mashinani Trust (AMT)
The Pitch
Created by residents in partnership with Slum Dwellers International, Muungano wa Wanavijiji Akiba Mashinani Trust (AMT) helped residents of the Kambi Moto informal settlement advocate for their needs, design and build new housing, and improve local infrastructure through local partnerships and community meetings.
The Problem
Between 1973 and 2000, residents of the Kambi Moto informal settlement experienced insecure tenure, minimal infrastructure, limited access to public services and sanitation and high levels of disease outbreaks and crime. In addition, the settlement faced frequent fire outbreaks that pushed families out of their homes and left them without shelter.
The Process
- Negotiated with the Nairobi City Council to organize the release of the government land the settlement was built on; the area was declared a Special Planning Area and upgrades were approved
- Mapped the settlement and enumerated 271 households
- Developed a fund for members to voluntarily deposit money daily; this fund was used to finance housing, infrastructure and livelihood improvements
- Planned projects, garnered community participation and managed upgrades
- Reimagined Kambi Moto alongside residents, who visualized the homes they desired in drawings; drawings were given to planning and design experts and architects, who discussed them with the community and created formal plans from the models
The Impact
- Drastically improved quality of life for residents of Kambi Moto
- Provided residents with sturdy, safe homes that met their needs
- Increased the community’s capacity to organize and work with the city government to improve their living conditions, helping community members advocate for their current needs and receive access to public resources (such as water and infrastructure)
