Date: March 3rd 2008

Since the disputed Kenyan election results Mathare has seen ongoing violence and unrest. At the height of the troubles homes were destroyed, shops looted, men beaten and women raped. Slum TV members felt the full force of the violence; some were forced to vacate their properties, others, tragically, lost family members. Tension in Mathare is high and each day the political negotiations are watched with caution. Until the outcome of the negotiations is announced the future is uncertain.

In the opinion of Slum TV, however, the focus on violence in the media only tells one side of the story. Throughout the troubles Slum TV has been out on the streets documenting the every day stories of the people of Mathare. Far from the descent into anarchy reported by the mainstream media, Slum TV has found that now the word on the street is peace.

Slum TV captured the story of Eunice Muthoni Ndugo, a Mathare resident who has been helping her neighbours by cooking and distributing food, regardless of their tribal group. She now works full time at the St. James Feeding Centre, and told Slum TV reporter Benson Kamau of the plight of the many children orphaned by the troubles who are now in her care.

At the Mathare IDP camp local residents are giving their services for free to help those displaced by the troubles. We spoke to Ann Wangiru who works for the Alliance of Nairobi Churches. Each day she works on the camp listening to the concerns of the displaced and counselling those who have been bereaved or have lost their homes. For her it is the least she can do. watch here: http://www.slum-tv.info/?p=58

Esther Wanjiru and Benson Kamau reported on the work of the Lutheran Church at the IDP camp for Slum TV. They spoke to Mr George Odenga, a pastor who spent the day organising activities for the children on the camp. He explained to us that often in times of crisis the needs of children are forgotten. Through the day children were given the space to have fun, taking part in games and having the chance to be children again.

Young people who participated in the clashes were brought together by Onyango Owino, Mathare resident and co-ordinator of Tell Tale. Slum TV filmed the workshop for peace and reconciliation, capturing the testimonies of young people who participated in the violence – their reflections on what happened, and their discussion about how they could prevent such clashes occurring again.

Frederick Otieno and Cosmos Nganga went out into the community to talk to tribal elders about the political situation and how it should be resolved– and found that both despite mainstream press reports about the division between the ethnic groups both Kikuyu and Luo elders agreed on the need for peace and for dialogue. Their podcast can be found on the Slum TV website at http://www.slum-tv.info/?p=53



Other News:
Slum TV moved into a new office in February – now furnished with a desk and a chair (kindly donated by the Czech Embassy.) We are appealing for chairs and a lockable cupboard to store our camera, computer and archive.
Slum TV has been working with the Concerned Citizens for Peace to bring together young people from all over Nairobi to discuss strategies for peace.
Public screenings have ceased due to a ban on public gatherings and the ongoing tensions in the slum. Next screening scheduled for early April.
Video of the Vienna City Council translated with subvideo.tv at: http://www.slum-tv.info/?p=48
Introducing: David Mbuthia at : http://www.slum-tv.info/?p=60

and many other stories: http://www.slum-tv.info