February 15-19, 2025

Executive Summary

The Mukuru Community Justice Center conducted a community social audit between February 15th and 19th, 2025, to assess the state of social justice and residents’ access to essential services in Mukuru Slum.The social audit was done with support from Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA) and Kongamano La Mapinduzi (KLM).

The offline survey conducted in Mukuru slum gathered 881 responses, providing critical insights into community perceptions of government service delivery, leadership effectiveness, and the potential for social unrest. For ethical purposes, it is important to note that 98.5% of participants consented to their information being used.  50.8% of the participants were men, 48% were women and 1.2% were others. 58.3% of the participants were aged between 18–34,  35.2% were aged 35–54. Furthermore 48.7% of the participants had secondary education, 27% had university/tertiary education and 9.1% had no formal education.  50.7% of the participants were self-employed/informal employment, 40% were unemployed and 9.3% were formally employed. 

The findings indicate systemic neglect, widespread dissatisfaction, and a growing sense of injustice, underscoring the urgency of immediate intervention to prevent a potential citizen uprising and foster a more just and equitable society.

Methodology

The social audit employed a structured survey methodology, targeting a representative sample of Mukuru Slum residents. The sample primarily consisted of a young, working-class population with limited access to formal employment and education, mirroring the broader community demographics. The data collection process emphasized transparency, inclusivity, and community participation, ensuring that findings accurately reflected the lived realities of Mukuru residents.

Key Findings

  1. Dissatisfaction with Government Services
  • Health services: 58.8% of respondents identified an urgent need for improvement.
  • Education services: 45.9% expressed dissatisfaction.
  • The disparity between taxes paid and the quality of services received highlights a significant lack of accountability.
  1. Leadership and Governance Concerns
  • 4% of respondents felt underserved despite paying taxes.
  • 1% identified corruption as a major issue in governance.
  • The perceived lack of leadership effectiveness contributes to frustration and disillusionment with government institutions.
  1. Economic Hardships and Unemployment
  • High unemployment rate (40%), disproportionately affecting young people.
  • 3% of respondents were aged between 18 and 34, a demographic historically linked to social unrest.
  1. Strong Social Justice Sentiment
  • 98% of participants expressed belief in equal rights and opportunities for all Kenyans, highlighting a collective commitment to social justice and fairness.

Analysis and Implications

The survey data reveal a community under significant strain due to poor service delivery, ineffective leadership, and systemic corruption. These conditions mirror historical precedents that have led to mass uprisings globally. According to political scientist Ted Gurr in Why Men Rebel, relative deprivation—the perceived gap between expected and actual quality of life—is a key driver of social unrest. The residents of Mukuru exhibit clear signs of relative deprivation, with a large proportion feeling underserved and neglected by the government.

Historical uprisings such as the Arab Spring (2010-2012) were fueled by similar conditions: high unemployment, systemic corruption, and perceived social injustice. The youth-led protests in Tunisia, Egypt, and Algeria were ignited by frustrations over economic hardship and government failures, ultimately resulting in significant political upheaval. The Mukuru Slum shares several of these indicators, suggesting that, if grievances remain unaddressed and going by the lessons of the GenZ uprising in Kenya last year, the risk of radical action is significant.

Comparative Analysis: Mukuru and Historical Uprisings

Factor

Mukuru Slum (2025)

Arab Spring (2010-2012)

High Youth Population

58.3% aged 18-34

Predominantly youth-driven

High Unemployment

40%

25%-30% in affected countries

Corruption Concerns

85.1%

Key grievance in uprisings

Social Justice Demand

98% belief in equality

Calls for democracy and rights

Relative Deprivation

66.4% feel underserved

Economic frustration widespread

NB: Given these parallels, Mukuru slum is at a critical juncture where urgent intervention is necessary to prevent escalation into mass protests or unrest.

Recommendations

To address the systemic challenges facing Mukuru Slum and mitigate the risk of radical citizen uprising, the following actions are recommended:

  1. Enhanced Government Accountability
  • Establish independent community-based oversight mechanisms to monitor service delivery and governance effectiveness.
  • Improve transparency in public budgets to ensure taxpayer money is allocated effectively.
  1. Targeted Economic Programs
  • Invest in economic justice initiatives that focus on self improvement, skills development, community organizing and social entrepreneurship for young people.
  • Create public-private partnerships to generate job opportunities within the community and stimulate the ghetto economy.
  1. Improved Service Delivery
  • Prioritize health and education infrastructure improvements to address urgent community needs.
  • Implement community-driven monitoring and reporting channels of government service projects to enhance efficiency.
  1. Corruption Eradication Measures
  • Give the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) power to arrest and prosecute rogue government officials, strengthen anti-corruption frameworks and enforce strict penalties for corrupt public servants.
  • Encourage whistleblowing mechanisms within grassroots communities to expose corruption.
  1. Community Empowerment Initiatives
  • Support grassroots organizations advocating for social justice and improved governance like Mukuru Community Justice Center.
  • Facilitate political education programs to empower residents in understanding their rights, owning their rights and practicing their rights.

Conclusion

The Mukuru Slum community is at a tipping point. The survey data paint a picture of systemic neglect, widespread dissatisfaction, and a growing sense of injustice. While Mukuru has not yet reached the stage of full-scale revolt, the conditions are ripe for radical action if grievances continue to be ignored. Without immediate intervention, Mukuru could follow the trajectory of other communities that have erupted in protest due to unmet social justice demands. The time to act is now.

The government, civil society, social movements and community leaders must work across differences to address these pressing issues. Failure to do so will not only exacerbate existing inequalities but may also catalyze social unrest with far-reaching consequences. The lessons of history underscore the importance of proactive engagement to foster a more just and peaceful society. Bado Mapambano!