Changing the Face of Nairobi

Story by Rasmus Bering, Dreamtown’s CEO

Post COVID-19 visit to Nairobi

August 2nd, 2021! Dreamtown en route to Nairobi and the first trip abroad in more than 1.5 years due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. During this time, we’ve resorted to online project management. This has worked out well, all things considered. However, being able to dive into inspiring face-to-face conversations with our partners, meeting the communities we work within, and witnessing first hand the change that young people create is something else. To say the least - we were excited to finally get back into the world.  

The focus of the trip to was to check out the inspiring ideas and actions that stem from our existing Nairobi project entitled Changing Faces. Changing Faces is a competition where youth led organisations compete on the best ideas for creative vibrant public spaces. The project is developed together with our partner in Kenya, Public Space Network, and UN-Habitat. Public Space Network is an inspiring network of urban practitioners with a passion for the transformation of public spaces.

Volunteers of Komb Green.

The classic group photo (Dreamtown, PSN and Komb Green)

The Nairobi River

The Changing Faces competition has a key focus on the Nairobi River. Once upon a time, the Nairobi River was a clean and recreational ore running through the city. This, however, is long gone. Now, the river is heavily polluted and creates an unhealthy and risky environment for the many low-income communities located along its banks. The Government is currently planning a large-scale rehabilitation of the river. While this is highly welcomed, local communities fear that new developments will not take their views into account, or even worse, force them to relocate to other parts of the city.

The majority of the houses in Korogocho are made up by tin shades and wood.

The Nairobi River runs directly through Korogocho.

The River Front Park

The local communities around the Nairobi River are far from passively awaiting what will happen. On the contrary, they already take the lead in creating change. One of these organisations is Komb Green. Komb Green is a youth led organisation based in the low-income community of Korogocho. The organisation refers to many of its members as reformist. Many of the young men have previously been engaged in crime and many of the young women have previously been engaged in commercial sex work. However, in Komb Green, they have found a community where they take care of each other, and together they take care of their community. Komb Green has a vision of transforming the river that runs through their community into a River Front Park, and the dream is already alive.

Urban farming techniques

Urban farming techniques

A Green, SAFE AND PLAYFULL SPACE

When you visit the River Front Park, you’ll be amazed. As you enter park, the polluted and depleted riverbanks suddenly change. Garbage and trash have been substituted with bamboo along the riverbanks that protects the community against flooding. Urban agriculture that provides food for the youth and their community. Lush green trees that provide shaded areas where the community can meet in a calm environment. In addition, Komb Green has developed a playground for the children in the community. During the visit, midday on an average Thursday, the playground was packed with children. And not only is Komb Green transforming the riverbanks. Every month they also venture into the river to remove trash carried down stream from the neighboring markets and communities.

REACHING OUT TO OTHER COMMUNITIES

The results Komb Green has achieved are amazing. Yet, the dream doesn’t end here. The organisation has started to reach out to neighboring communities. Conducting trainings on how they all can transform the river into a green and recreational public space. They hope that their example will grow, and the space around the river will slowly develop into an inspiring area once again. Not only will this benefit the local communities here and now. Hopefully, it will also provide a testimony for the government that the local communities have the drive, energy, and ideas - which should be included once the rehabilitation of the Nairobi River starts.