By MOSES MUTUA

Kibra is one the largest informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya, with a population estimate of five hundred thousand to one million people (500,000 – 1,000,000). Life in Kibra could be described as a merry go round with lots of challenges that are often associated with chaos, crime, and poverty.

Research and survey by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that the number of single mothers had increased in the last few years as from 2021 seating at 13.9 per cent from 13.5 per cent of 53.01 Million Kenyans. Emily Achieng is one of the single mothers living in Kibera and she agreed to share her experience. She lives with her four children, a son and three daughters at Mashimoni Ward, Kibra, Nairobi.

“Life has been has difficult of late since am not employed, before I was a labourer where I used to wash clothes and clean people’s houses and earn around Kshs 500 and still had a side hustle where I was cooking Doughnuts and earn KShs 400 a day, My spouse who had a job at least we could manage to cater for the family needs and share cost with him, but things have not been smooth after his demise.

I was forced to leave from where I used to stay due to rent arrears which had accumulated forcing the landlord to evict me. I have school fees to pay, hospital bills to pay and rent which is three thousand Kenya shillings. Life as a single parent has not been easy as there are days where I cannot afford to provide for my family three meals during the holidays but when they are in school, they are provided with breakfast and lunch. With the rise in the cost of living the people who used to give me job opted to washing the clothes themselves and doing the house chores since they are also affected with the rise in cost of living”

Emmaculate Atieno, her first born daughter at Shadrach Kimalel Primary School sat for her class eight exams, that is the Kenya Primary School Exams (KCPE) and managed to score 345 marks out of 500 and hopes to become a gynecologist when she completes her high school.

This year the Kenyan Government disbursed Kshs 6 billion for the National Government Constituency Development Fund which is to be divided to all the 210 constituencies. The fund helps in the construction of schools, helps the less privileged in the community by catering partially for their school fees etc.

“Through the help of National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) I managed to get bursary which has partially catered for her term one fees.” Said Emily. 

Natalia Adhiambo, her second born daughter who suffers from sickle cell anemia sat for her KCPE exams in Chemichemi Primary School last year and despite her sickness, she managed to score 320 marks out of 500. She was admitted to Dr. Kiano Secondary School in Murang’a County. Natalia has been under the Turning Point Scholarship which sponsored her primary school education and continues to do so. Despite having a scholarship Natalie has not yet been able to attend High School as Emily narrates.

“Natalia has not been able to join her colleagues in Secondary school due to lack of money to pay for her fees. Turning point scholarship caters for 50% of her secondary school education and as the parent I must raise the other percentage, but it has been hard since I only earn four hundred shillings a day. Natalia hopes to become a journalist after her education to help her siblings finish theirs too.’’ Says her mother, Emily.

Natalia is at home helping her mother with household chores as she waits to join her colleagues in high school. Esther Awino, Emily`s third born who is in Grade 5 at Chemichemi Primary School is also under the Turning Point Scholarship that supported Natalia and her last born is yet to join school hoping that they will complete their studies.

The Kenyan Government has put in measures to ensure that children are able to attend schools, through the Ministry of Education by releasing Kshs 67 Billion to public primary and secondary school learners.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said that for the free Primary Education programme the Ministry has released Sh 7.9 billion for the nine million learners in public primary schools. “He further stated that under the junior school, the government has disbursed Kshs 14.7 billion for the one million learners since January this year while Kshs 44 billion has been spent as capitation for the 3.7 million learners enrolled under the free Day Secondary Education”.

 Emily keeps on with the struggle of being the breadwinner, but she really hopes to manoeuvre through the tough economic times to cater for her family needs and provide her children with Education so that they don’t have face the challenges she’s going through.