Somali/ Oromo Refugees in Nairobi: Creating Pathways for Dignity and Independence

At Eastleigh Community Center, the Refugee Empowerment Program provides basic guidelines that empower the Refugee women and youth Economically

Tens of thousands of Somali refugees have sought asylum in Nairobi, Kenya.  For almost two decades, many of these refugees have been successful entrepreneurs, building businesses that not only provide a living for their families but also sometimes employ members from the local Kenyan community.  Far from being passive recipients of international humanitarian aid, many Somalis have been able to turn crumbling urban environments into centers of economic activity.  Nowhere is this more evident than in Eastleigh or “Little Mogadishu,” a low-income commercial center just outside of Nairobi.  

What most Somali refugees lack now is official documentation and formal recognition from the Government of Kenya (GOK) that they have a right to live and work outside of the sprawling refugee camps.  The recent announcement by the GOK that they plan to engage in a large scale registration of refugees in Nairobi that will result in the issuance of standardized documentation is a welcome step forward.  This effort, if fully realized, will undoubtedly provide enhanced protection for Somali and other refugees living in cities.
 
There is also a wide variety of smaller scale trade-networks and businesses in which the majority of refugees work, including large numbers of women. Through the Refugee Empowerment Program, Eastleigh Community Center mobilizes the needy refugees, organizes them into groups and engages them in a number of social and economic empowerment activities.

Members of Iftin engage in 'Bag Farming' a local initiative where they can engage in kitchen farming while utilizing minimal space. 

Despite their economic successes and self-sufficiency, Somalis suffer from constant police harassment and abuse.  Every refugee living in Eastleigh has a story about being harassed by the police and threatened with arrest and detention.  In many cases, refugees will offer up their hard earned daily wages in order to avoid prolonged detention and possible deportation or forced return to Somalia.  When it comes to extortion and bribes, there is no better “market” for the Kenyan police than Eastleigh. 

That is why it is so important that the Government of Kenya meet its 100 day goal of setting up a registration process for these refugees.  The issuance of documentation will, in the long term, help protect Somalis from corrupt and opportunistic police who currently view refugees as a source of supplemental income.  It will provide the GOK with greater knowledge of who is residing in Nairobi.  Refugee registration will hopefully also lead toward a more coherent government policy toward refugees living in cities.  The process has the potential to officially register refugees as residing in Nairobi—changing a decades-long policy that requires refugees in Kenya to live in camps. If implemented well, it could also ensure greater freedom of movement for refugees between cities and the camps.  Freedom of movement is essential because it enables economic activity like the kind that has transformed Eastleigh.  Economic activity in turn, enables refugee families to live in dignity—independent from aid.

RENOVATION OF 2ND STREET

The 2^nd street located in Eastleigh Section 1. The road originates from 1^st Avenue through 2^nd & 3^rd Avenues with several link roads to the busy Juja Road. This road links up many residential homes, Churches, Mosques, community based organizations and civil society organizations.

PCEA Eastleigh Community Centre has for many years lobbied to the Kenya Government through the Local Authorities to renovate many roads within Eastleigh since they were in a bad state.

The 2^nd street located in Eastleigh Section One of Eastleigh North Location is currently being renovated with funds from the Constituency Development Funds. 

Heavy Machines in progress during the renovation of Second Street.

 Pupils Applauding the Renovation of Second Street

INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMPETITION

Rev Kareri Primary School of PCEA Eastleigh Community Centre has been participating for many years in the inter-school competitions and the pupils have excelled on several occasions to Schools National levels.

The school participated in the Kamukunji District School Athletic Competition held from 27^th to 28^th May 2010 at Moi Forces Academy in Huruma.

Rev Kareri is the only private school participating among the 19 public schools within the Kamukunji District of Nairobi Province.

     

 The girls team was among the pupils preparing to attend the Kamukunji District Inter-Schools Athletic competitions which were held at Moi Forces Academy in Huruma on the 27^th and 28^th May 2010.

GENERAL CLEANING

Thursday was a a very busy day for the Eastleigh Community Centre fraternity as we engage ourselves in a general cleaning exercise dubbed no taka taka (No littering) within the organization that lasted for six hours. The exercise kicked off at around 10 O'clock with a brief meeting behind our main hall and all members agreed to the outlined provisions. From their faces, you could figure out that this was a well awaited day. Cleaning materials distributed to various groups engaged in different exercises. At the end of it all, members converged in our main hall and were treated to lots of entertainment ranging from poem, skits, dance as well as political satire.

Hurry up ladies, we need to finish this work on time!

A teacher will always be there to guide and co-operate with the pupils

Slashing grass and pruning the fence is my favorite chore.

My friend, this responsibility is for us and let us work as a team!

After the end of the general cleaning exercise,participants were treated to a jig by some of Eastleigh Community Centre staff members.To many, this was another tough exercise!!! 

ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP

Eastleigh Community Centre conducted an environmental clean up exercise dubbed "Mazingira bora ni jukumu letu"(clean environment, our responsibility )with the larger Eastleigh region with an aim of creating awareness on environmental conservation and protection to the members of the community.More than 215 youths were involved in actual clean up exercise as well as garbage collection. 

Left:These are some of the youths who participated in the environmental clean up exercise. At the end of it all, the community members were able to appreciate and accept our call for maintaining the environment clean.

Below: Yes! i support a clean environment - this was the days message courtesy of Cordaid and Eastleigh Community Centre. 

APPOINTMENT

 Eastleigh Community Centre board of management has appointed Laura Muema to the post of Refugee Empowerment Program Officer.Her main responsibility will be promoting and supporting functional literacy, economic and Youth Development programs to refugee communities. The  board and staff are wishing Laura all the best in her new challenging position