Kounkuey Design Initiative Kenya

28/07/2026

" ATI HAKUNA EL NINO!"? MAJAMAA MKO SURE ?? 🌦️

30th Asubuhi, Join Bi. Pascaline Chemaiyo, County Director wa Kenya MetService (KMSA), Katika Ghetto Radio awapeleke na Rada Safi ya weather. Tune in mlearn mafacts na Impacts za El nino, straight from wasee wa weather wenyewe.
This conversation ties into KDI's Daraja project, where we're working to make climate and weather information clearer and more accessible for communities who need it most.
Kenya Meteorological Department Dream Achievers Youth Organization Kenya Kenya Red Cross Society Ondivow Photography PLC Prisca Okila Weather Mtaani

Ni poa tujipange kabla ya hatari ….
📅 30.07.2026 | 🕗 8–9AM
📻 89.5FM Nairobi | Stream: www.ghettoradio.co.ke

24/07/2026

Across If Cities Could Speak’s field sites — in Patna, Freetown, Nairobi, Cape Town, and Kerala — one pattern keeps appearing. The house is not a neutral container. It is one of the primary routes through which climate hazards enter people’s lives and bodies.

A single-storey house in Patna with no insulation traps summer heat. A corrugated iron sheet roof in Freetown absorbs it all day and releases it at night. An iron-sheet home in Kibera holds the cold. Langa’s New Flats — ‘upgraded’ in 2019 — still run on 1970s pipes that block when it rains.

Each site has a different hazard, a different housing material, a different failure mode. But the underlying pattern is consistent: housing quality is not separate from climate vulnerability. It is one of its main determinants.

This is one of the first comparative observations emerging from our research across twenty one settlements in four countries.

ifcitiescouldspeak.com/blogs/

23/07/2026

𝐌𝐮𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐨, 𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐯𝐮 𝐲𝐞𝐭𝐮!

Thirty years ago, a small seed of hope was planted in the fertile ground of Nairobi’s informal settlements, watered by the shared dreams of ordinary men and women who refused to be invisible. Today, that seed has grown into a massive, deep-rooted Mugumo tree, providing shade, dignity, and shelter to thousands across Kenya.

We remember the early days when the voices of slum dwellers were like whispers in the wind, easily ignored by the powerful. Yet, through the warmth of the Akiba Mashinani Trust savings circles, you taught us 𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒂 𝒉𝒖𝒋𝒂𝒛𝒂 𝒌𝒊𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒂, that when a community pool their coins and their courage, they build an unstoppable force. You did not wait for change to be brought to you on a silver platter; you mapped your own streets, numbered your own doors, and rewrote the narrative of urban development from the ground up.

We have watched you stand tall in the face of evictions, turn challenges into permanent homes, and bring the cool breeze of climate resilience to areas long neglected. The journey of Muungano wa Wanavijiji is a beautiful African story of Ubuntu, a reminder that our humanity is tied up in each other, in the progress of our neighborhoods. You have shown the world that those who live in the settlements are the authors of their own solutions.

As partners, KDI joined you along the way in this journey of community-led transformation. We look back with immense pride at the paths we have walked together and look forward with hope of where this friendship will take us.

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝟑𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲, Slum Dwellers International - SDI. and Muungano wa Wanavijiji! Thank you for inviting us to celebrate with you. May your fires continue to burn bright, may your leaders continue to guide with wisdom, and may the next generation inherit a land where every child grows up with a secure roof overhead and a community that shields them. Hongera sana!

17/07/2026

📚 "𝑨 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍." — 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐓𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐨

When we first put out the call for books, we hoped our community would show up for the Kibera Book House. And you did. 💛

Thank you to everyone who has reached out, asked how to help, and started setting books aside. Every donation is a reminder that building community doesn't stop when the walls go up — it keeps going every time someone shares what they have.

The Book House was designed and built by and for the Kibera community, and it's already becoming everything we hoped: a place where kids gather after school, flip through pages with curiosity, and find new worlds through stories.
But here's the thing we're reminded of every single day:
The children are arriving faster than the books.
Every visit brings more eager hands reaching for the shelves, looking for the next story, the next adventure. Our collection is growing — but we still need more books to keep up with their excitement.
We're especially looking for:
📖 Africa-centric children's books
📖 Storybooks & novels
📖 Educational and reference materials
Books that help young readers see themselves, their communities, and the possibilities around them.
Got books in good condition that aren't being used? Give them a new home where they'll actually be read, shared, and loved. 🙌

📚 Drop off donations at:
𝑲𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒌𝒖𝒆𝒚 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏 𝑰𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 (𝑲𝑫𝑰)
𝑪𝑰𝑻𝑨𝑴 𝑩𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒌, 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝑨𝒓𝒈𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝑲𝒐𝒅𝒉𝒆𝒌 𝑪𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝑯𝒖𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒎, 𝑵𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒊
(Behind Shell & KFC)
🕗 Monday–Friday | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
📞 Questions? Call or WhatsApp 0799 721643
Thank you for helping us turn a community-built space into a community-filled library — one book, one reader, one story at a time. 💛

𝐓𝐚𝐠 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢!

13/07/2026

"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞." 𝐖𝐞'𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞.

Our research with citizen scientists in Nairobi's high-rise neighborhoods tells a different story. In this blog, we argue that density is not destiny.
Partnering with residents of Saika and Pipeline, two high-rise estates in Nairobi, we found that risk isn't driven by density alone. It's driven by governance failure and infrastructure that wasn't built to hold its residents. Their experiences challenge familiar narratives of "overpopulation" and instead point toward a different question:

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲?
On World Population Day, we're reflecting on why urban futures should be understood through people, not populations, and through lived experience, not demographic projections alone.

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙉𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙞'𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝-𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pop-bomb-people-humane-density-reflecting-world-population-day-gzesf
Written by Brock Hicks and Irene Asuwa.

Density is not destiny — Shifting from growth alarmism to power & governance reframes density debates from populations to people by Brock Hicks & Irene Asuwa “Pipeline is a simulation of the future.” So said George Arrabu, President of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), at our recen...

10/07/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬?

Sometimes, it starts with bringing people into the same room to learn from one another.

Last week, our Senior Business Coordinator, 𝐖𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞 joined urban planners, engineers, academics, government stakeholders, and UrbanBetter Cityzen Hub Coordinators from across Africa for the 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 (𝐄.𝐀.𝐓.) Trainer of Trainers pilot at the University of Lagos in Nigeria.
The four-day training was built on one idea: learning should not stop with the people in the room. It should ripple outward into communities, organisations, and cities. Through sessions on futuring, training facilitation, and engagement, participants explored how to convene people, create spaces for learning, and inspire action that shapes better urban futures.

One lesson stood out: 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤. Strong networks create opportunities to learn, exchange knowledge, and grow, even when resources are limited. The work starts where you are, with the people around you. When opportunities come, you are ready because you have already begun.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢 𝐇𝐮𝐛, Wacera’s action plan focuses on equipping Run Leaders to facilitate learning on urban issues that cover urban health and green infrastructure, while encouraging them to design training based on their own individual passions. The goal is to strengthen knowledge and build a network of facilitators who can confidently lead conversations, share knowledge, and support others to do the same.
The learning continued at the 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 hosted by the Citizen Science Africa Association, where discussions explored how citizen science, technology, and AI can advance Africa’s transformation. Key reflections included the importance of African-led technology, the power of the 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 in centering local actors, and the role of academic networks—especially across the diaspora—in opening opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
As these conversations move to Nairobi, the focus shifts from learning to action. The ideas, tools, and connections built in Lagos will help strengthen how we convene, train, and support local leaders through the UrbanBetter Nairobi Hub—creating more opportunities for knowledge to move from one person to another, one community to another, and ultimately contribute to more inclusive and resilient African cities.

08/07/2026

When should we act?
Not when floodwaters are already rising.
Not even when heavy rain has begun.

The real question: what information is enough to trigger action before impacts occur?
Every preventive action has a cost: mobilising teams, preparing evacuation centres, clearing drainage, issuing warnings, coordinating across departments. But acting too late costs far more: damaged infrastructure, disrupted livelihoods, lives at risk.
This is the core challenge of forecast-based early action (acting on forecasts before disasters hit, not after), and it's central to operationalising Nairobi's draft Early Action Plan, co-developed through the DARAJA Programme.

On 23–24 June, DARAJA trained 57 Disaster Risk Reduction Officers from Nairobi's sub-counties in a Training of Trainers on Forecast-based Early Action — turning the draft plan into practice by building officers' ability to make timely, risk-informed decisions before hazards become disasters.
Using realistic scenarios, participants worked through:
Which forecast products — seasonal, weekly, short-term, impact-based — support which decisions
Who should act, and when
What actions fit as forecast confidence increases and impacts become clearer
The training reinforced a simple framework:
Forecast → Impact → Early Action → Reduced Risk
Early action isn't one actor's job. It takes institutions, emergency responders, and communities each playing their part — before, during, and after a forecasted event. That's why these officers are also preparing to train Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), embedding early action from county institutions down to the neighbourhood level.
Forecasts alone don't prevent disasters. They create the opportunity to act.
What would it take for your city to act before the flood — not after?

08/07/2026

We're pleased to share that Dr. Mathews Wakhungu will be joining the Nairobi Biennale Architectural Heritage Talks Series as a speaker on Informality as Living Heritage.

Drawing on cultural and design anthropology, Dr. Wakhungu will explore how everyday urban practices, community knowledge, and informality contribute to our understanding of heritage and the future of cities.

Be sure to join the conversation on Thursday, 9th July 2026, at Eastlands Library.

02/07/2026

The Kibera Book House opened its doors last week, and the response from the community has been everything we hoped for.

The shelves at Kibera Book House are beginning to fill, but the excitement of local children is already outpacing the collection. Help grow a library where every child can discover new stories, ideas and possibilities.

We are calling on individuals, schools, and organisations to donate books and stationery so children in Kibera have access to the stories and resources they deserve.

Drop off books and stationery at:
Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI)
CITAM Business Park, Argwings Kodhek Close, Hurlingham, Nairobi
(Behind the Shell & KFC)
🕗 Drop-off Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
📞 Questions? Call or WhatsApp 0799 721643

Thank you

25/06/2026

Yesterday in Lindi Village, Kibera, children rushed into the ‘Book House’ for the first time.

Some went straight to the bookshelves. Others gathered in reading corners, joined storytelling sessions, and others moved through the different spaces designed for play, learning, and creativity.

"We will be using Amani Kibera BookHouse to read and do fun things. Seeing it growing makes me happy." - Destiny (child)

"This is Amani Kibera BookHouse , I feel excited about it. It will benefit us students. We will be coming here to research as there are lots of books." - Purity (child):

The opening of the Book House marks the completion of a two-year collaboration between Amani Kibera, Condition Lab, ourselves, and residents from across Kibera.

The community hub brings together a library, and multipurpose hall under one roof. Designed around a play-first philosophy, the space centres children while welcoming residents of all ages and is fully accessible for all without leaving anyone behind in the community.

"I have been there for several workshops. I have seen it's good and nice, and it will help us. Our kids will have a place to study, to see new things that they probably have not seen." - Mama Becky (neighbour)

Kibera is home to one of the highest concentrations of children and young people in Nairobi, approximately 75% of its residents, yet access to dedicated spaces for learning, play, and gathering remains limited. The Book House responds directly to that gap.

This project was shaped through six co-design workshops, five focus group discussions, meetings across Kibera’s villages, and dedicated sessions with different levels of Nubian Council of Elders and other Nubian community representatives. KDI led the co-design process and provided technical and advisory support throughout the project, working closely with other consultants on the ground. Children, parents, local leaders, and residents all played a direct role in shaping what the building would include and how it would function.

"Previously, this site was for waste. I began farming vegetables here, but I offered the land because our youth were struggling without nearby facilities. With this library now available, it will truly support our neighborhood." - Mama Asha (resident)

The Book House stands within one of Kibera’s original Nubian communities. Its facade draws on Nubian weaving traditions, assembled from recycled materials by local craftspeople.

"When I look at the building, and I see the light coming in, I can't wait to see the building at night, light glowing out. A beacon for everyone to see" - Jack (KDI)

Through the co-design process, residents prioritised spaces for reading, play, learning, skills development, community gathering, and cultural activity. Those priorities are now reflected in how the building is being used today.

"We know the potential this building has for the community and connects us to the rest of the world. This facility is not just a study facility but will support the community in many ways." - Ben (Amani Kibera)

The process was about more than designing a building. Over two years, it brought together groups from across a densely populated and politically complex neighbourhood to work towards a shared investment in children and young people. In doing so, it opened space for dialogue, collaboration, and stronger relationships across the community.

As we celebrate the opening of the Book House, we also reflect on 20 years of working with children and the ongoing effort to create cities that are safer, more responsive, and more equitable for children.