In the shadow of Africa’s biggest dump site at Dandora, in Kenya’s capital, there’s an oasis of trees and vegetable plots threaded along the banks of the Nairobi river. This green sanctuary is the work of a group of determined local men. Nicera Wanjiru’s film is a portrait of their group Canaan Riverside Green Peace.
Land in this congested city is at a premium but instead of letting the site go to developers, the community is planting trees, growing food and cleaning the river. With no outside help from the local authorities, everything the group has done has been from their own resources. The green swathe along the river helps protect the Korogocho neighbourhood from flooding, so this mini paradise plays a key role in local urban resilience. And it provides a vital oasis of cool in the heat of the urban sprawl.
Nicera’s words have been lightly edited for clarity.
More infos on earthbeat
Filmmaking Credits
- Nicera Wanjiru Kimani
- Vian Abucheri
- Mike Dimo
