Kibera (Kibra): A Place of Struggle and Spirit

Kibera—now more commonly known as Kibra—is Africa’s largest informal settlement, located in the heart of Nairobi. With an estimated one million people living within just one square mile, the population density is staggering. Poverty is extreme, and many families live in makeshift homes constructed from mud, sticks, and rusted metal sheets. Most dwellings are no larger than 10x10 feet, yet often shelter entire families.

Life in Kibra is tough. Clean water, sanitation, and healthcare are scarce. Disease spreads easily, and crime is an ever-present threat. The narrow, winding passageways form a chaotic maze to outsiders, but for locals, every turn is familiar—they know the shortcuts and the rhythms of daily life here.

Kibra is not a single entity but a patchwork of at least 15 distinct villages, each with its own identity and community spirit. Despite the hardship, what often surprises visitors most is not the poverty—but the resilience, warmth, and joy that radiates from its people. There is a deep sense of connection, generosity, and hope that keeps you coming back.

Kibra is a place of contrast: immense need, but also incredible heart. And it’s this spirit that drives our work—to walk alongside this community, listen, learn, and invest in change from within.