The Poverty Industry: How NGOs in Kibera Exploit Struggles for Profit

A Business in Exploiting Poverty

Kibera, often referred to as Africa’s largest informal settlement, is home to over 300,000 residents living in abject poverty. It’s also home to a staggering number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) claiming to address this issue - Poverty. With promises of change and empowerment, these organizations paint a picture of hope for international donors. Yet, beneath the surface lies a troubling reality: many of these NGOs are not here to solve poverty but to sustain it. Poverty has become a business—a convenient, renewable resource for NGOs that know how to leverage donor sympathy.

Growing up in Mukuru slums, which consists of approximately 30 villages and home to over 700,000 people, I have seen both the positive and the negative sides of the NGO world. I’ve witnessed organizations that truly serve the community, and I’ve seen others that simply exploit the situation for personal gain. Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC), for instance, was a model of effectiveness in the Mukuru slums. MPC dedicated itself to providing free primary education to slum dwellers, and for years, it continues being a beacon of hope. If a child in Mukuru did not attend school, it was not due to lack of resources—it was because of their own decision or other factors.

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The Paradox: Hundreds of Registered NGOs —Yet Little Change

Kibera, spanning just 2.5 square kilometres, is home to over 500 registered NGOs—and this figure doesn’t account for the many unregistered ones. The informal settlement has become an attractive location for NGOs, to rally international donors under the banner of "helping Africa's largest slum." Yet, despite the endless flow of funds, the situation on the ground tells a different story—one of betrayal and neglect: people still live in makeshift homes with less access to basic necessities like food, water, and proper sanitation; unemployment and underemployment remain rampant; and education and healthcare are still out of reach for many. Our question remains; Where does all the money go? How can so many organizations justify their existence when the cries of the people remain unheard? “But that is the role of the Kenyan government” They ask. oh, yeah? didn’t you come here claiming that you were setting up an NGO to fill the gap where the government falls short? The people of Kibera are not photo ops or fundraising tools—they are human beings who deserve dignity, action, and accountability.

Where Does the Billions in Development Assistance Actually Go?

The Global Humanitarian Assistance report from 2016 notes that Kenya received a staggering $2.4 billion in official development assistance, with a significant portion allocated to poverty alleviation programs. Despite this influx of funding, Kibera continues to be neglected, despite the area having more than 500 registered NGOs.

“The world wants to help, and organizations come to Kibera, sending proposals under the guise of ending poverty. However, we are being commercialized rather than being ‘helped.’ Kibera is just a place for people to fill their bank accounts. Honestly though, how do you end poverty without involving the poor? who you are trying to help?” Luka, a teacher in one of Kibera’s schools, summed it up.

The Dependency Syndrome

The commercialization of poverty is deeply concerning. Many NGOs provide just enough assistance—food, water, clothes—to create the illusion of progress, yet fail to offer sustainable solutions. It often feels as though these organizations prioritize keeping people in poverty, as it ensures their own continued existence. One individual who has witnessed this firsthand is Michael Babu ,a passionate advocate for community development. He observes, “The people in Kibera have been made to believe that poverty is an unchangeable condition. If we can’t offer them sustainable solutions, we shouldn’t keep them in this state. These individuals have potential, and it’s our responsibility to help them realize it.”

“Some NGOs give people food; some provide water; some donate clothes. It is okay to help at the beginning. But if year after year, they keep doing that, it will create a dependency syndrome. You will see one family benefiting from different things from different NGOs. They do not want to change because if they change, they are afraid of stopping to receive things for free.” Babu further reflects,

As I walk through the slums in preparation for a documentary on this issue, I observe groups of men engaged in construction activities, pulling carts, while women take on cleaning jobs for wealthier households—earning a few shillings to feed their children. If you visit the slum at night, you’ll see these women waking up at 3 a.m., preparing something to feed their children, and then walking for 1 or 2 hours to reach wealthier neighbourhoods to work as cleaners. They need to ensure they arrive by 6 or 7 a.m. before the residents leave for work.

To me, these women are strong, independent, and fully capable of shaping their own lives. Unfortunately, mainstream narratives, books, and education often portray the poor as vulnerable, suggesting that we need to empower them through charity. Similarly, the focus is often placed on women as vulnerable and in need of external assistance. This is why many NGOs come into these communities, organizing workshops aimed at “empowering” women.

But what these efforts often overlook is that the women of Kibera are already demonstrating resilience and self-sufficiency—they don’t necessarily need to be empowered from the outside. They have the strength, independence, and resourcefulness to take control of their own lives.

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NGOs That Actually Make a Difference

It was surprising to me that, after speaking with numerous people, I didn’t hear much positive feedback about NGOs. Very few individuals mentioned any good experiences, aside from a couple of examples like KGSA Foundation (Kibera Girls Soccer Academy), SHOFCO , UNESCONairobi, Binti Pamoja Centre and Kibera Town Centre.

Irene Owiti ,a communications student at Strathmore University, is one of the beneficiaries of KGSA, which supported her through high school and helped her secure a scholarship to Strathmore. Now, she feels empowered and that is the kind of sustainable solution I’m referring to.

“While there are good NGOs,” Irene says, “most NGOs in Kibera seem to take advantage of the poor. They come in with flashy PR stunts aimed at winning favour with donors and fundraising, but they rarely provide real, lasting solutions.”

In the end, the trust in NGOs in Kibera seems to be fading. Many residents believe that the funds they receive from donors are not going toward meaningful change, but rather toward administrative costs and salaries for foreign consultants. It’s a disheartening thought, but the reality is that unless NGOs shift their focus from image-building and short-term aid to long-term solutions and empowerment, I'm afraid the cycle of poverty will continue.

By Evans Ijakaa

Documentary coming soon.

References

1. Global Humanitarian Assistance Report. (2016).
2. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2023). The Kenya Poverty Report 2022.
3. Development Initiatives. Aid Effectiveness in Kenya's Urban Informal Settlements.
4. Moyo, D. (2009). Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa.
5. Owiti, Irene. Personal Interview. Conducted on January 10, 2025.
6. Luka. Personal Interview. Conducted on January 8, 2025.
7. SHOFCO. (2022). Annual Report 2022: Sustainable Development in Kibera.
8. KGSA Foundation. (2022). Annual Report: Educating Girls in Kibera.
9. Africa's Dependency Syndrome Book by Nesaa Nkwazi Mhango