Over the years there have been many stories written about Kibera and its residents, often portraying the settlement in a negative light. But KDI’s experience of working with communities in Kibera tells another story. #TujengeKibera is an advocacy campaign initiated by KDI to highlight stories of progress in Kibera and to invest in high-potential initiatives in the settlement.

KDI partnered with LightBoxAfrica to make a short film called “We have a life in Kibera”. The film is based on the experiences of Ibrahim Maina, KDI’s Senior Program Coordinator and a lifelong Kibera resident. It challenges the overwhelming pre-eminence of negative narratives and imagery, offering a more nuanced portrayal of the realities of Kibera life and providing examples of positive resident-led activities such as the Kibera Public Space Project.

The video won the Rockefeller Storytelling Award in 2015 and some of the proceeds were used to launch the #TujengeKibera competition, which encouraged individuals and groups to come forward with their ideas for positive change in Kibera. At Nairobi Design Week 2016 the selection committee announced Cynthia Munyiva Mutia’s initiative to set up a scholarship fund for students at Anwa School as the winning entry from twenty applicants.