Kibra's Green Guardians: A Nubian Youth Initiative Re-Greening Kibra for Climate Action

We hear from Khalid Munir Mohamed of the Salama Youth CBO, a passionate leader from Kibra's Nubian community. He shares the history of his forefathers, who were resettled in Kibra after fighting for the British in World War II, establishing a community largely of Nubian origin in what was once a lush forest.

Khalid narrates the transformation of Kibra, an Arabic name for "forest," from a leafy extension of Ngong Forest into an informal settlement, with its trees tragically wiped out, bordering the serene Karen suburb.

Kibra faces severe environmental challenges, including Nairobi River now tragically replaced by raw sewage and overwhelmed by garbage due to a lack of proper waste management. The Salama Youth CBO, is working to reverse this degradation through ambitious re-afforestation efforts and river clean-ups.

Khalid details their innovative climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. They collect organic waste from local kiosks, practice modern farming methods by utilizing greenhouses and hanging gardens to promote food security within the slum.

Their initiatives extend to dairy goat farming, rabbit keeping (valuable for manure and urine as plant nutrients), and crucially, bee-keeping. The bees, feeding on nectar from newly planted trees, contribute to pollination, creating a vital ecological and economic cycle.

Khalid stresses the importance of involving local residents, particularly the Nubian community, in government-led river clean-up efforts and highlights support from KEFRI, who have pledged bamboo for planting.

He admits the difficulty of relocating residents who have built along riverbeds, they conduct public forums to educate on the risks. Khalid passionately appeals for government and partner support for these crucial mitigation measures, urging everyone to cherish and protect our one Earth.