Susan Wanjiru
Susan Wanjiru
Muungano
From: Kambi Moto, Huruma, Nairobi
Interview date & place: 5 May 2016, Nairobi
Interviewed by: Eva Muchiri, Sophia Khamis, Susan Mwangi, & Kate Lines
Original language: Swahili
My name is Susan Wanjiru. I am saved and I love Jesus. I have four children and seven grandchildren.
Who is Susan? What motivates you?
What gives me the inner drive is the fact that I built my house with a loan which I have to work hard in order to pay back. Also, I have grandchildren, for whom I have to get up early. You know, you can never stop being a parent – my children are all of age and I have grandchildren who rely on me, so I am motivated to wake up early and go out to make a living in order to provide a comfortable life for them as well as myself. All this motivates me. You found me at the carwash earlier where I sell water, and if we don’t have someone to wash the cars I do it myself, because I can earn something out of it.
My role as Susan Wanjiru in Muungano, is to encourage people. As a leader I have served for a long time. So, I appeal to those in leadership to fully dedicate themselves. As a leader, there are times when you would want to go somewhere but you lack the funds: this means you need use your own money in order to get to where you want and do what is required. Also, I have been able to encourage many, including our youths, to unite and carry out their savings in order to be successful.
How did you first get involved in Muungano?
In the past, community members owned houses nearby, so we came here while we were still young; when we came here, we found this place serving as a parking lot. As we grew up, we decided to leave the area where our parents were, and then we moved here, where we began by building iron sheet houses. We first started setting up market places then once we settled, we thought of progressing further instead of depending on our parents.
Years ago, five women went to visit a slum, and they found other women in this place making progress as by involving themselves in saving in order to change their lives for the better. You know, when you are just one person, there’s not much you can do. So when the women returned, they told us about it and give us the vision. Initially, we kept to ourselves and did business all on our own – we didn’t care much. But they told us how they saw young women saving together so as to buy a piece of land and build together. They shared the idea with the village residents, and we saw it was something worthwhile, so we called all those who agreed with the idea, and the women shared the vision with them as well.
When something starts up, at first it begins with just a few people. For us, some thought that the women were only after their money; so we started off just a few of us, meeting, and we were shown how to begin saving. Savings didn’t necessarily require us to have a lot of money – one could have 10 shillings or 20 shillings and still be able to start saving.
We were supposed to save with an intention in mind. So while we were busy saving, an NGO by the name Pamoja Trust came in and gave us another vision. They told us to make a claim of where we stayed, using our savings, and thereafter develop the area instead of living a low standard of life. We asked them if that was possible and they told us it was. They offered to help, as NGOs, by sending us to government offices where we would get help. We did not neglect their advice: we joined hands with them and as we progressed, we held meetings and they taught us and told us about what we could do to. From then, they showed us how we could access the state offices; we had already discovered that this land belonged to [Nairobi] City Council., and they told us that since land belonged to the city council, it was best to go there and talk to them and ask them to allow us to upgrade the area where we lived. You know, even in the past it was a huge problem to get a piece of land for yourself, so if the council would allow us, we would develop our pieces of land.
Life was not easy. But it wasn’t that hard, because we were in business. We weren’t obsessed with acquiring a lot for ourselves; we just wanted something to help us make a decent living. Others came here and built five, six, or even ten houses, while you probably only have one rental house in your possession so as to be able to have enough to cater for your children and pay for the house. So that is the life we lived.
How did the process of upgrading Kambi Moto start?
It was not a simple journey. We were referred [to the council] by Pamoja Trust as the village residents. We started off with the negotiations, introducing ourselves, and stating what we wanted to do. Generally, we were supposed to introduce ourselves and wait for their response, but they didn’t respond to us: we were required to hold various other meetings. We went to the first office and they told us to leave behind our documents and then they would sit, discuss and give us feedback. It was not easy. It was a long journey for us, before we started to build, or even before we began the enumerations. It was a really long journey, considering the meetings we held, before they finally agreed to give us land and support us in the enumeration process.
We held the meetings, but back then the mayor was in charge. We had to book appointments through the mayor’s appointment book. We also booked appointments with the managers, as well as those who were subordinate to the mayor and in charge of the land. We sat with them and agreed on some issues, which were written down. Then, we obtained a copy of the notes, as members of Muungano – and they also had a copy of what was said. Remember, we didn’t go as members of Kambi Moto only: there are six other villages around Huruma, and so we went all together. We agreed each village would have about two to three representatives who would attend.
We started the negotiations in 2000, between us and the city council. The year 2001, we started the first enumeration, because of the negotiations we were holding. In 2001, we started the city council enumerations and before we begun building, in 2003, we were still carrying out the verification. This is because even before we decided to embark on building, we needed to agree on some issues, for example if people have been enumerated but have passed away; so we needed to carry out the verification and see, based on the enumeration we made, if everyone was still present. We also checked the savings, because even as the negotiations continued, people continued saving. We had to know if people were still saving, whether they were unable to continue, and if there was a sick person within the group. So we had to carry out the verification, once a year.
How have things changed over time in Kambi Moto?
Things have definitely changed. When we started Muungano, people were very excited to hear that there was a movement that would change their lives. We used to live in very miserable conditions, in houses that measured 8x8 or 10x10 metres; you couldn’t get a bigger house than that. That life was quite hard. There weren’t wide pathways to walk on – in certain places the houses were so close together you had to walk bent over in order to pass by. Life was hard. People heard we wanted to come together to change our lives, so they joined, although it was not that easy. People did not believe, but in the year 2003 we started to build at Kambi Moto; we were the first to build a typical house, right there in the field, and all the people came to have a look at it. We were the ones who came up with our own plan for the houses we wanted to live in; we agreed to do a cloth model of a house, and we opened it up for people, who came to see; they approved of it, and in 2003 we started constructing; and the people saw that indeed there was some progress. Thereafter many people started joining Muungano, although as we proceeded with the negotiations we were fewer, since some people did not think that it was indeed possible.
What have been the biggest challenges over the years?
We definitely faced challenges, especially in terms of money. You see, we had to facilitate some of the negotiations with our own money, especially when Pamoja Trust did not have the money to support us. There were instances where we found people owning ten houses – and yet we had agreed that the land belonged to us all as residents of Kambi Moto, everyone was to benefit because we were given the land all together as residents of Kambi Moto – so it was a challenge to convince people who owned a lot of houses to let go of them for the sake of the whole community.
We managed to convince them, because how we negotiated with the city council was to agreed that, after developing the land, we would be given communal titles – so each slum member wouldn’t be given a title. There was a chance that we could even lose the [communal] title, which would have really been a great misfortune for the community; so people should choose to sacrifice and give up his or her many houses and acquire one house, rather than holding on to their ten houses and suffering greater losses. It was really a great challenge: we had long talks with the city council, and we held our own meetings where we informed the community about the things we had discussed with the city council. There were challenges, but we progressed, up until when we were able to get to an agreement.
How have things changed over time in Muungano?
We started the Muungano movement in Nairobi. Thereafter, we started exchanges, where we would go and educate our colleagues in Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Athi River, among other places. We travelled extensively around Kenya, to educate our peers who live in slums so as to help them gain the vision that will help them grow. Also, we urge those who live in the slum to save up and purchase land which they can then build on, using their savings, if the government fails to give them land.
When we were saving together, it was easier to cultivate trust because we knew each other. So when the NGO came to us and began to tell us about this and that, we doubted them and thought they probably wanted our money. But as we continued interacting with these organizations, they told us that we could manage our savings as well as our accounts, that we could come up with plans that would benefit us, and slowly we started trusting in them. We joined hands with them, and together we started doing so many things within our area. They also supported us as we went far and beyond to educate the community. When you look at Muungano today, it has spread everywhere in Kenya, and Uganda has a federation, as well as Tanzania and Ghana. We have also gone to Malawi and Philippines to educate people about Muungano. And, as we travel to other countries, we find useful rituals that we can pick up and bring to our people and educate them about it.
What have been the biggest achievements over the years?
I have, for example, been able to learn about construction. Before, I knew nothing about building materials, but when we started Muungano, I began to know more about this. This is because the women were in charge of making the bricks as the men made the beams, and so I've now achieved that skill. Now I could direct a construction worker if I wanted something to be done in a certain way.
The community feels that they have achieved a lot. In the past, people were not in a position to freely express themselves, but now they have achieved that freedom. After coming together, many women have progressed and see that they can do more. Women were trained on making the bricks and now many of them have become contractors. Many women have been able to achieve a lot through Muungano.
Out of all those challenges we have gone through in Muungano, we were able to sit down and discover that fear is one of the main causes of poverty. We came up with the slogan ‘fear leads to a lifetime of poverty’ – and so we got rid of fear and came up with a voice. Now, in meetings, everyone has the freedom to air their views, and no one is restrained to speak up because everyone understands their rights. Now, in Muungano, everyone has the freedom to express themselves, unlike earlier, where nobody really cared. Today, even if many people visit, we can talk to them and tell them all about Muungano, with courage – because you come to truly see that Muungano has done a lot for you, which you couldn’t have managed on your own.
What have been the strategies that really worked?
I think the main approach we used was coming together: we were able to consult and tell each other that we can surely make it. In Muungano we have different roles – chairlady, secretary, treasurer – so everyone is given his or her chance to serve. We also decided to appoint new leaders every year, so as to give everyone a chance to lead, helping lots of people gain experience in leadership.
What are your hopes for Muungano Kambi Motos’s next 20 years?
I am now old. In the next twenty years I would like our children to carry on with what we started. I would like you all to come together and have your vision; to say that indeed you saw us come together, and brainstorm on ideas, and advise each other – and now you have seen what we have achieved out of it. We would like the young people to come together and have your vision for the next twenty years, so that in future you can also give out your history and say ‘we, as the children and the grandchildren, we were able to adopt what was begun, and now we have succeeded’.
Has Kambi Moto been a role model?
Kambi Moto has indeed been a role model. When visitors come, they begin by visiting us in Kambi Moto because we were strong, and we were the first to start the upgrading. Many people from other countries and federations have visited Kambi Moto because they heard of our reputation. Our reputation spread throughout Kenya, and people were eager to know more about Kambi Moto. We felt good about this. Were it not for us coming together, then we wouldn’t have achieved this; if we hadn’t forged a way forward, based on realizing our vision through what we had talked about, then we wouldn’t be known. So Kambi Moto has been a role model to other villages, inspiring them to begin upgrading.
What message would you give to the younger generations of Muungano?
The general message I would give, especially to residents in these surrounding slums who haven’t yet started upgrading, is that they should start. Trust is key, because with it things are able to progress well. Trust, among us, will enable the community to achieve great things. I would also like to tell young people to hurry to emulate their parents: they won’t be living with their parents forever; there will come a time where they will be independent, so they should unite as the federation. All the federation groups we've made in Kenya comprise parents, youth, and young children, so we would like them to unite and achieve greater things, which they can be proud of, by emulating their parents.
What are your hopes for Muungano’s next 20 years?
In the next twenty years, God willing, I would love to see every settlement achieving great milestones in terms of upgrading and beautifying their areas. Even the government has stated, in their Vision 2030 project, that they want the country to be without slums. So, I want to see the villages that are yet to develop, uniting; doing away with hatred and self-centeredness. As slum dwellers, we tend to hold on to everything, not wanting to share, so as to develop where we live for the sake of attaining this vision 2030. Once we can get to vision 2030, we will not be evicted from our homes, but if we fail the government will take back the land and we will have ourselves to blame because we were given ample time to develop the area. So, I would say, I have witnessed Muungano do a lot, and our children have also united and have been able to do a lot, as we have done. Now, I am happy that I have a house that has a bathroom, water, and I am able to sleep in it comfortably. Before, I didn’t want visitors, because my house was small, and I wasn’t sure others would fit. Now, I am happy that I have a good and spacious house, and the environment now is much better than before. I pray to God to grant me many years more, so I can see the same developments we have here taking shape in all other places.
What are the biggest lessons from the history of Muungano?
We who live in the slums, we should come together and be united as one. We should know that we shouldn’t be fully dependent on the government – it also has other major responsibilities. So, I would like to tell the whole of Muungano in the country to come together and unite. Even we who earn a low income have been able to come together; we have combined our money and done something with it. If I was alone, I wouldn’t be able to do as much. So, we should join and put our efforts into saving, because we have seen that our savings have enabled us to do something great. Alone, you aren’t really able to do a lot; together, you are able to achieve greater things.
Kwa majina naitwa Susan Wanjiru na nimeokoka, nampenda Yesu. Mimi ni mama wa watoto wanne na wajukuu saba.
Who is Susan? What motivates you?
Kitu inanipatia nguvu ya kuamka na kufanya ile nina fanya ni kwa sabau ninajua ya kwamba kitu moja hii nyumba venye nilijenga, nilijenga na loan na hiyo loan lazima niamke asubuhi niende nitafute angalau tena niweze kurudisha ile saving ya wenyewe. Tena kuna hii kitu inani motivate pia. Nina wajukuu na pia kwa sababu ya hao lazima ni make. Wajua mzazi astop kulea. Watoto wangu saa hii ni wakubwa wote lakini unaona wako na wajukuu na wale wajukuu saa ingine wananitegemea so inani motivate kuamka asubuhi kuenda kutafuta na kuona ya kwamba wajukuu wangu wamekaa vizuri wanakula na wanavaa. Pia mimi mwenyewe nina vaa vizuri nakula na nina tengeneza kanyumba kama haka kangu na kuweza kuonyesha kwamba hata nikiwa na nyumba hii bado sijatosheka kwa sababu bado nina mahitaji mengine kwa hivyo yananifanya mimi nina amka asubuhi mapema na kuenda hapa na palekutafuta riziki. Saa hizi mmenikuta carwash hiyo car wash tunaendanga unashinda hapo ukiuza maji ukiandika hizo gari. Tukikosa mtu wa kuosha wewe mwenyewe unaosha na mikono yako kwa sababu ile kitu unapata hapo inakusaidia kuendeleza maisha.
Mimi kama Susan Wanjiru katika role yangu Muungano nimekuwa mama ambaye anatia watu moyo sana nakuambia ya kwamba katika leadership nimekuwa kwa miaka mingi hukunikiambia watu ya kwamba ukiwa kwa uongozi ni lazima ukue mtu ambaye amejitolea. Hii ni kwa sababu saa zingine kuna mahali panatakikana kuendwa na hatuna fedha so lazima urudi kwa mfuko ili muende na mkamilishe mambo yenu mnayofaa kufanya. Mimi kama Susan nimekuwa katika ndani ya uongozi na nimekuwa nikihimiza watu sana hata hawa vijana wetu nina wahimizanga sana washikanemikono na wafanye savings iliwaweze kufanya mambo makubwa. So kwa hivyo mimi kama Susan mimi ni mama anayehimiza watu waweze kuwa pamoja na waweze kuwa kichwa moja ili wafanye mambo makubwa.
How did you first get involved in Muungano?
Ilikuwa ni hapo awali ambapo wazazi wetu walikuwa ndio wenye hizo nyumba tumepita huko na sasa sisi tulipokuja huku tulikuwa wadogo.Sasa tuliweza kupata hii place ikiwa parking.Tuliona ni vyema tuondokee wazazi wetu so tukakuja tu pande hii tukaanza kujenga tunyumba twa mabati. Tulianza na soko alafu baada ya soko unajua mtu ukisha enda mahali uki settle unanza kufikiria.So ndiyo tukafikiria tuanze kujenga tunyumba badala ya kutegemea mzazi, kwa hivyo unaanza sasa kujitegemea.
Ilikuwa ni mwaka wa 1996 ambapo kulikuwa na mama watano ambao walienda kutembea. Walipotembea wakaenda wakapata wamama wakona maendeleo na wanafanya savings. Walikuwa wamama tu wakijiji wanafanya savings ndio nao wawezekubadilisha maisha yao kwa sababu, unajua ukiwa pekee yako hakuna kitu unaweza. Wamama hao waliporudi, wakatupatia ile maoni. Unajua saa tulikuwa tunakaa kila mtu kivyake. Mtu na biashara yake, na mambo zake.Hatukuwana shughuli na mwengine.Wakaja wakatuambia tumeona mahali amabapo wamama wana maendeleo.Walikuwa wanachanga na wanafanya savings ndiyo waweze ata kama nikununua shamba wanunue na wajenge pamoja. Wakatupatia iyo idea na sisi kama wakaaji wa kijiji tukaona ni jambo la maana na ndio tukaweza kuita wale waliokubali.Tulipoita, hao kina mama wakawapatia hiyo vision na unajua kitu ikikuja inaanza na wachache. Huwa haianzi na wengi juu wengine wanaona hao wamama labda sasa wanania ya kukula pesa yetu. So wachache tukaanza kumeet na wakatuonyesha vile walianza savings. Wakatueleza hiyo savings si ati ni mingi kwani unaweza kuwa na 10 bob, unaweza kuwa na ishirini na unaanza saving yako. Pia tukaelezwa kuwa ni vyema kufanya savings tukiwa na nia fulani na ndiposa sasa tukiwa katika ile hali ya kufanya hiyo savings, kukakuja NGO inaitwa Pamoja Trust. Walipokuja katika hiyo group yetu tulikuwa tumeungana sana na wakatuletea maono mengine.Wakatuambia iyo savings mnafanya mnaeza tumia kuclaim mahali mnaka badala ya kuishi hii maisha duni, ili muweze kufanya developments.Tukawauliza kama inawezekana wakatuambia kuwa ingewezekana.Hao walikuwa NGO na wangetusaidia kwa kutupeleka mpaka kwa maofisi za serikali na tungesaidika. So hatukupuuza tukawashika mkono na tukaanzana nao polepole. Tulianza kufanya mikutano wakituelimisha huku wakituambia nini tunaweza fanya.Tuliendelea tu nao polepole polepole hadi tukawa marafiki.Kutoka hapo wakatuonyesha vile tunaweza enda kwenye zile maofisi za serikali juu already tushagundua hii shamba ni ya City Council. Pia wakatuambia kwa sababu tumegundua shamba hiyo ni ya city council, basy, tungestahili kwenda kule kwao tuongee na wao. Kama watakubali tudevelop mahali tumekaa juu nazo mashamba unajua wakati huo mashamba hata kupatikana ilikuwa ni shida.Kama wangewezakutukubalia basi tungedevelopmahali tuko.
Maisha yenyewe haikuwa rahisi na haikuwa ngumu kwa sababu unajua mtu alikuwa anafanya biashara na ile biashara unafanya unapata ni biashara yako.Wewe hata hutaki nyingi. Ulikuwa unataka tu upate kitu ya kukusaidia kuendelesha maisha.Pia ile nyumba umekaa, unajua kuna wengine walikuja hapa wakajenga nyumba kama tano, sita, kumi, na wewe pengine nikukomboa angalau upate kitu ya kukula na kupea watoto wako waende shule na upate ya kulipa nyumba.So iyo sasa ndio ilikuwa maisha tunaendelea nayo.
How did the process of upgrading Kambi Moto start?
Haikuwa ni njia rahisi kwa sababu unajua sasa wakati sisi tumeenda uko baada ya kuelekezwa na Pamoja Trust kama wakaaji wa kijiji sasa ilikuwa ile kushauriana nakujitambulisha sisi ni akina nani. Pia tulistahili tuseme kile tulichotaka kufanya ndio sasa wale watupatie response. Lakini hawangetupatia response wakati huo kwa sababu lazima tungefanye mikutano kadhaa.Hii ni kwa sababu, tulienda kwa ofisi ya kwanza wakatuambia lazima tuwaachie yale tuliyowapatia alafu baadae sisi tuende tukae kwenye kikao then tutawapatia appointment ingine tena wakuje wasikie venye sisi tumefanya na nini tumekubaliana. So haikua journey rahisi. Ilikuwa bado ni mwendo, hata kitambo tukuje kuanza kujenga, na hata kabla tukuje tuanze kufanya enumeration.Ilikuwa bado ni process juu tumekuwa na mikutano mingi sana kitambo sasa tufikie wametukubalia, wametupatia shamba na wametusupport hata kufanya enumerations, ilikuwa bado ni process.
Tulikuwa tunafanya na unajua wakati huo ilikuwa wakati wa Meya so tulikuwa tuna book appointment na Meya, ma managers na awa wako chini ya Meya;wale ambao wanasimamia mambo za lands.Sasa ndio tulikuwa tunaenda tunakaa chini na wao na tunapokubaliana inaandikwa chini huku wao wakibaki na copy na sisi tunapewa copy yetu kama Muungano.Hatukua tunaenda Kambi Moto pekee yetu.Kumbuka tuko vijiji sita around Huruma so tulikuwa tunaenda kama vijiji sita. Tulikuwa tunasema kila kijiji inatoa watu wawili wawili ama watatu watatu kwa hivyo tunaenda kama network.
Wakati tulianza negotiations ndio tuweze kuanza, ilikuwa the year 2000. Hapo sasa ndio tulianza negotiations kati ya sisi na City Council. The year 2001 ndio tukafanya iyo inaitwa first enumeration kutokana na ile negotiation tulifanya pamoja in the year 2001. Tuliaanza enumeration ya City Council na kitambo tuanze, juu tulianza mjengo 2003, tulikuwa bado tunafanye ile verification.Hii ni kwa sababu, hapo awali, ungepata pengine kuna mtu alifanyiwa enumeration na ameaga so tulikuwa pia tunafanya verification kuona kama kulingana na ile enumeration tulifanya kama hao watu bado wako, ama kuna mtu ameaga.Kwa kutumia hiyo, tunaona pengine mtu ameaga, ama kuna mtu mgonjwa. Pia kwa saving tulikuwa tunaangalia. Unajua bado katika ile negotiation, saving ilikuwa tu inaendelea kwa hivyo tulitaka kujua kama bado watu wanaendelea kusave, kama kuna mtu amelemewa ama kuna mtu mgonjwa hapo. So ndio tulikuwa saa zingine tunafanya verification once per year.
How have things changed over time in Kambi Moto?
Zimebalika kwa sababu wakati huo tulianza Muungano watu walikuwa excited sana kusikia ya kwamba sisi kama Muungano tutaweza kubadilisha ile maisha tunakaa.Kusema tulikuwa tunakaa maisha mbaya.Ungepata kanyumba ni 8 by 8 kengine ni 10 by 10. Hungepata nyumba kubwa kushinda hio. So unaona hiyo maisha ilikuwa ni ngumu.Hungepata hata kabarabara ka kupita.Nafikiri mmelelewa kwa slum kwa hivyo mumeona tule tubarabara. Hapo, lazima uende ukiinama kwa sababu kwingine utapata paa zimepatana na zimewacha nafasi ndogo ya kupitia. So maisha ilikuwa ngumu sana. Kwa hivyo vile watu walisikia tunataka kuungana tuweze kubadilisha hii maisha, although haikuwa ni rahisi, ilikuwa bado watu wengine hawakuwa wameamini. Hata hivyo, kufikia mwaka wa 2003 ndio tulianza sasa kuwa na ile bidii ya kuanza kujenga Kambi Moto. Sisi ndio tulikuwa wa kwanza na tukajenga nyumba ya mfano hapa hivi kwa kiwanja na watu wote wakakuja wakaangalia juu already tulikuwa tushaplan sisi wenyewe ile nyumba tungependa kuishi. Kwa hivyo iyo nyumba tulikubaliana ifanyiwe model cloth na tukaifungua.Watu walikuja, wakaiona na wakakubali. Sasa, mwaka wa 2003 tukaanza ujenzi. Tulipoanza ujenzi ndio watu waliona kweli kuna maendeleo ndio sasa watu wengi wakanza kuingia Muungano. Although tukiendelea na hizo negotiation zote, watu walikuwa wachache juu watu hawakua wanaamini ni kitu inawezekana.
What have been the biggest challenges over the years?
Challenges zilikuwakwa sababu sana sana unajua kama ni fedha wakati tunaenda izi negotiations zote ungepata unarudi kwenye mfuko. Wakati huo, shirika ya Pamoja Trust haikuwa na pesa ya kutusupport kwa hivyo ilikuwa unarudi kwa mfuko. Pia tulipoanza kufikiria mambo ya developments unapata mtu ako na nyumba kama kumi ilhali tulikubaliana hii kiwanja tumepewa kama wa watu kutoka Kambi Moto. Kwa hivyo, wakaaji wale wanaishi pale labda wewe ni mwenye structure ama wewe ni tenant, lazima ubenefit kwa sababu tumepewa kama wakaaji. So ilikuwa ni challenge kwa sababu mtu akiskia atapewa room moja ilhali ako na room kumi, ilikuwa challenge kumconvince huyo mtu mpaka akubali kubomoa zile nyumba zake.
Tuliweza kuwa convince kwa sababu tuliwaambia, kulingana na ile negotiation yetu na City Council tulielewana kuwa after kudevelop hii shamba tutapewa communal title. Kwa hivyo kama bado wewe ungekuwa unaishi kwaslum hungepata title. Pia, ungepata mtu yule labdaangepoteza kwa hivyo mtu mmoja ama hata wawili hawangesabaisha kijiji isiwe developed. Mtu yule basi ataona afadhali basi nipate hiyo moja na nipate angalau kibali, kuliko nipoteze hizi nyingi na nikose. Kwa hivyo, ilikuwa ni challenge kubwa. Kulikuwa na mazungumzo juu tukizungumza na City Council sisi pia tulikuwa tukikaa mikutano huku kwetu tunaongea na watu. Tulikuwa tunawaambia yale ambayo tumekubaliana na City Council ambayo yalikuwa na ugumu, lakini tuliendelea hivyo mpaka watu wakaweza kukubali.
How have things changed over time in Muungano?
Wakati tulianza maneno ya Muungano, unajua Muungano ilianza Nairobi. So ilipoanza Nairobi, tukaanza sasa kuwa na hizi exchanges ambapo tulienda kuelimisha wenzetu huko Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa na Athi River. Tumetembea mahali pengi hadi nje ya Kenya hukutukielimisha wenzetu mambo ya Muungano ndio atleast watu wetu wale wanaishi katika slums nao wapate hii maono ndio waweze kujiinua. Pia wale wamekaa kwenye slums kama sio mahali wanaeza pewa na serikali wanaeza fanya hiyo saving, pia nao wanaweza kujinunulia shamba na wanaeza pia kujijenga na hiyo saving yao.
Wakati sasa tuliweza sasa kunini, unajua sasa wakati sisi wenyewe tulikuwa tunafanya savings sisi kama wakaaji wa kijiji tulikuwa tuna aminiana kwa sababu tunajuana lakini sasa wakati NGO ilikuja ikaanza kutu approach ikatuambia kuna hivi na hivi, tukaanza kuona labda hawa ni wakora wananataka pengine wakule pesa yetu. Hata hivyo, vile tuliendelea na hizi mashirika, walituambia ile pesa sisi wenyewe tuna save sisi ndo tutakuwa tunamanange ma account zetu na mipangilio yetu. Sisi wenyewe ndo tutakuwa tukijipangia so ndio tukawaamini na tukashikana pamoja na tukaweza kufanya mambo mingi sana. Katika kuzunguka hizo eneo nyingi tumezunguka, hao ndio wemekuwa wakituwezesha kuenda kuelimisha wenzetu na tumeelimisha watu wengi sana. Ukiangalia Muungano iko kila mahali Kenya. Iko mahali pote Kenya na nje ya Kenya. Uganda pia wao wako na federation na Tanzania pia wao wako na federation.Pia tumeenda Ghana, Malawi na Philipins. Tumeenda mahali mingi kuelimisha wenzetu about Muungano na sisi pia tunapopata fursa ya kwenda nje, tunaenda pia kupata elimu kutoka kwao na kuwaletea watu wetu hapa Kenya.
What have been the biggest achievements over the years?
Kuachieve nafikiri tuseme kwa mfano mimi kama mama nimekuwa hapa tangu wakati tulianza Muungano. Hapo mbeleni, sikuwa najua mambo yoyote haswa ya ujenzi lakini sasa wakati tulianza mambo ya Muungano nilianza kujua mambo ya ujenzi sababu ukiangalia kama hizi ladhies na bims sisi ndo tunatengeneza huku kama kina mama. Tunatengeneza ladhies nao wazee wanatengeneza bims, kwa hivyo mimi nime achieve mengi. Nimepata ujuzi wa kutengeneza hizi na pia hii nyumba yangu ata nikitaka nijengewe, nikona ujuzi wa kuweza kujisimamia na kumwambia fundi hapa hujajenga vizuri unafaa utengeneze hivi.
Hata watu kwa masettlement yetu wanaona wameachieve kwa sababu watu wengi wakati huo hawakuwa wana weza kujizungumzia lakini sasa waliweza kujizungumzia. Wamama wengi wamekua na uwezo wa kuona kwamba wanaweza kufanya kitu kwa sababu walishikana kama wamama wa hizo vijiji zote na sote tukatrainiwa kufanya hii mambo ya hizi ma ladhies. Sasa wamama wengi wamekuwa ma contractors, kwa hivyo kama Muungano wamama wengi wameweza kufaidika sana na Muungano.
Nafikiri katika hio zile challenges tumekuwa tukipitia sisi kama Muungano, tuliweza tukakaa chini tukaona ya kwamba kitu kinaitwa uoga ndio kitukimoja kinafanya sisi tuwe maskini. Alafu, tukasema ya kwamba uoga ni umaskini milele. Tukatoa uoga na saa hizi, tukona sauti ya kuongea. Leo, tukienda kwa mkutano akina mama wako huru na kila mtu ako nauhuru ya kuongea. Hakuna mtu anazuiliwa kuongea kwa sababu hiyo ni right yako. Kwa hivyo kama Muungano tumeachieve mambo kama yale ya kujiexpress. Hapo kale, kila mtu alikuwa na shuguli yake hakuna mtu alikuwa na shuguli na mwingine hata ungeona wageni kama watano wasita, haungeweza kuwaongelesha lakini siku hizi hata hata tukiwa na wageni kama mia unawaongelesha na unawaambia about Muungano ukiwa na courage kabisa. Sasa tumeweza kuona Muungano imetutoa mahali mbali ulikuwa ambapo hungeweza kujiexpress.
What have been the strategies that really worked?
Nafikiri mbinu ni kuja tu pamoja na kuweza kushauriana na kuweza kusema ya kwamba wewe hii jambo unaweza kwa sababu sisi kama wana Muungano huatuna committees. Kwa hizo committees, kuna chairlady, kuna assistant wake, kuna treasurer na kadhalika so kila mtu anapatiwa opportunity yake. Pia tulisema after one year tunachange leadership ndio kila mtu awe na hiyo experience ya kulead watu. Kwa hivyo, unaona ya kwamba hii kitu imesaidia watu wengi sana kuweza kuwa na hiyo experience ya kulead mahali.
What are your hopes for Muungano Kambi Motos’s next 20 years?
Mimi kama miaka hiyo ishirini itakayokuja, kwa sababu kama sasa ukiniangalia mimi sai, unaona nimezeeka sasa hiyo miaka ningeomba nyinyi kama sasa watoto wetu na nyinyi pia muweze kuiga ule mfano.Nyinyi nanyi mje pamoja ili muwe na maono yenu ambayo pia na nyinyi kama watoto mtaweza kusema ya kwamba vile tuliona wazazi wetu wakiungana na kuwasiliana kuhusu hii hili jambo na wakapeana mawaidha, basi tumeona yale wameweza kuachieve. Kwa hivyo, ata nyinyi vijana ambao ni watoto wetu tungependa ata na nyinyi mcome pamoja muweze pia na nyinyi kuwa na maono ya hiyo miaka ishirini inayokuja. Nyinyi pia mtakuwa mnatoa historia ya kwamba pia sisi kama wajukuu na watoto wa wazazi wetu, tuliweza kuiga mfano na wazazi wetu na sisi tukaanza A B C D na katika hiyo miaka ishirini, tumeweza kufaulu.
Has Kambi Moto been a role model?
Kambi Moto imekuwa kielelezo kwa sababu wakati mwingi wageni wangekuwa wakija walikuwa wanaanza tu kutembea Kambi Moto because Kambi tulikuwa firm na sisi ndio tulianza maendeleo wa kwanza. Watu wengi kutoka zile countries zengine zilikuwa zinakuja kutembea kama federation na wengi walikuwa wanaanzia hapa Kambi kwa sababu sasa walikuwa wanasikia sifa yetu ilikuwa imeena all over Kenya. So watu walikuwa na influence ya kutaka kujua hiyo kambi moto ni nini iko na pia sisi tukasikia ni vizuri kwa sababu na sisi pia isipokuwa ni hiyo kuungana yetu hatungeweza kujulikana.Japo hatungekuwa na way forward ya kusema tumejipanga na tumeongea sana sasa tuanze ile inaitwa reality, hatungeweza kujulikana. So kwa hivyo Kambi moto imekuwa role model ata ya hizi vijiji zingine na ndio pia Kambi Moto ikafanya hata hizo vijiji zingine nyingi ambazo zimenza ujenzi zikaweza kuamka.
What message would you give to the younger generations of Muungano?
Mimi ile ujumbe ningeweza kupeana kwa ujumla katika hizi vijiji kwanza wacha nianze na hizi vijiji ambazo bado hawajaanza development, mimi ningewaambia ya kwamba waanze. Ile kitu inafanya wabaki nyuma ni ile kitu inaitwa transparency. Mkiwa na transparency mambo yataendelea vizuri na mtafaya development kubwa sana kwa sababu mko transparent. na pia ningependa kuwaambia hawa young ones waige mfano wa wazazi wao kwa sababu nao pia hawataishi kwa wazazi milele. Wao pia watatengana na wazazi wao na piawao wataenda kujikalisha. Kwa hivyo, wanafaa waweze kuungana na wafanye federation kwa sababu hizo federation zote tumefanya Kenya mzima kuna watoto hapo na wazazi pia wakiwa na wajukuu wao. Kwa hivyo, tungependa kuwaambia nao pia washikane ili waweze kutoka na jambo moja ambalo pia nao watakuwa wanajivunia.
What are your hopes for Muungano’s next 20 years?
Mimi kwa miaka ishirini na ninajua Mungu atanifikisha ningependa kuona every settlement wameachieve mengi, wamefanya developments na wamerembesha pahali wanaishi. Hii ni kwa sababu pia serikali ikona vision 2030 ambayo hawatataka kuona slums. So ujumbe wangu ningependa kusema ya kwamba ama mapenzi yangu ni, ningependa kuona vijiji zote ambazo hazijaweza kuwa developed watu wakishikana pamoja na kuwacha mambo mengi. Wawache chuki na wawache ile kujipenda kwa sababu sisi kama wanavijiji wengi tunajipenda na hatutaki mwenzetu apate kidogo na wewe kidogo angalau tuweze kutengeneza mahali tunaishi ili wakati ule wa vision 2030 serikali ikifikia ipate sisi watu wa vijiji tumeshajipanga. Ikiwa tutakuwa tumejipanga mahali pale tunaishi hautafukuzwa lakini vision 2030 mkipatikana mume kaa tu pale kwa slum, serikali itachukua hatua nyingine na itadai ile ardhi na hamta wa blame juu tulipewa wakati wa kuweza kushikana pamoja na kujipanga. So mimi ningesema ya kwamba nimeona Muungano imefanya makubwa na hata watoto wetu pia nao wameshikana pamoja na pia na hao wamefanya makubwa kama yale tumefanya.Saa hii mimi hujivunia sana kuwa na nyumba kama hii nzuri ikona choo na bafu na nalala vizuri. Sasa mgeni akitembea ana mahali anaeza lala lakini hapo awali hata singependa mgeni atembee juu kanyumba ni kadogo na hatungetoshea lakini saa hii nafurahia nyumba ni kubwa na ni nzuri.Saa hii tunaona tuko na environment mzuri kuliko hapo awali so ningependa na ningeomba Mungu anipe hata hiyo miaka ishirini inayokuja nione ya kwamba kupitia kwa Muungano Kenya mzima all settlements wamejipanga
What are the biggest lessons from the history of Muungano?
Pengine niseme ya kwamba katika historia ya Muungano, mimi yangu nikusema ya kuwa watu wale tunaishi kwa vijiji tuweze kushikana na tuweze kuwa na muelekeo mmoja. Ni vyema tujue ya kwamba wakati tukitegemea serikali hakuna wakati itakuja kwetu sisi kama watu wa vijiji kutusaidia. Hata serikali inatafuta vile itatupiga lakini mimi ningeweza kuambia Muungano Kenya mzima tuweze kuwa pamoja tuweze kushikana nakuona ya kwamba sisi watu ambao tuko na mapato ya chini tumeweza kuunganisha mapato zetu. Wewe unaweza leta kumi mi naleta ishirini na mwengine analeta ishirini ingine na tunafanya jambo kwa sababu nikiwa pekee yangu sitaweza lakini tukishikana kama Muungano tutaweza. Saa hii vile tuko hapa wewe utoe kumi huyu kumi si tutakuwa na fifty bob lakini nikiwa pekee yangu nitatoa ten bob na itabaki ten bob. So tuushikane pamoja na tuweke juhudi ya saving.Kama waanzilishi wa hapo awali tumeona hiyo kidogo kidogo ambao tumekuwa tukishikanisha pamoja imefanya jambo kwa sababu ukiwa pekee yako utaweza lakini tukiwa wengi tushikane na tupendane tutaweza kusonga mbele.