Academic activities

Aggrey’s take on Korogocho during 2007 WSF


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A new project gets underway in Korogocho


Tuberculosis (TB) still remains a global health emergency. It is estimated that about 9 million people were infected with TB worldwide, and 2 million people died of TB in 2009 .  According to the global plan to stop TB, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa accounts to 84% of such cases from the high burdened nations.   Kenya ranks 13th on the list of 22 high-burden TB countries in the world collectively contribute to the global TB disease burden, and have the fifth highest burden in Africa. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) Global TB Report 2009, Kenya had approximately more than 132,000 new TB cases and an incidence rate of 142 new sputum smear-positive (SS+) cases per 100,000 population.

However, lack of or limited amount of correct information about TB in the general population and the fear and stigma attached to TB, especially due to the association between TB and HIV/AIDS has led to low TB case detection in resource constrained settings such as Korogocho. HIV epidemic, congestion in prison, limited access to general health care services, poverty and social deprivation leading to overcrowded informal settlements has exacerbated the situation. In order to address challenges posed by TB, early case detection and treatment of the detected cases as a key strategy in TB control has been identified by the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Kenya, through the National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Program (NLTP). The intention of case finding is to diagnose and treat TB cases as early as possible, mainly through passive case finding, timely treatment and contact tracing. The NLTP strategy also encourages the decentralization of diagnostic or treatment centers to increase access to TB services, TB/HIV collaboration, better coordination with the private health sector and increased awareness of TB control among health workers and the communities. However, the actual implementation of this strategy has been limited in scope and scale.

Korogocho being the third largest slum in Kenya does not have government supported health facility. There is also no TB specific awareness creation in the area. Stigmatization of TB patients is very high. This leads to low level of TB health services utilization, late identification of TB suspects and high rate of defaults in taking drugs by TB patients in Korogocho. The health facility(MAKWK) initiated by Korogocho residents does not have diagnostic equipments. Those suspected to have TB have to travel to other places for screening purposes. In most cases, they do so when it is very late. As a result, TB continues to thrive in Korogocho. Pambazuko Mashinani  in collaboration with MAKWK intends to mobilize strategic stakeholders in building the capacity of community health workers to help in identification and referral of potential TB patients while at the same time tracking defaulters.

By the end of the 12 month project period, we expect:

a) To build the capacity & support the work of community health workers to trace and support at least 100 TB defaulters in Korogocho

b) To build the diagnostic capacity of MAKWK in order to carry out TB tests to at least 3000 Korogocho residents

c) To initiate & support a coalition of individuals and groups in Korogocho to embark on community based TB advocacy targeting Korogocho residents

Stay tuned!

The season for lies and false promises starts in earnest


With elections coming soon, Kenyans are now being given many promises. The so called political elites, especially the presidential candidates have started telling some truths and many blatant lies to woo voters as the 2012 elections fast approaches. Unfortunately, many are now using the tribal card to win sympathy votes from their ethnic groups.

Being human, we are bound to make mistakes. We all fall prey to flawed beliefs and views. However, what really distinguishes an honest person is the ability to candidly admit ones mistakes and take bold steps to redress them.

As a Chinese proverb says, you cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building a nest in your hair. In Kenya, ultimately, our battle is with ourselves. Whether in our activities in society, or whether in historical, political or economical development, everything essentially boils down to a struggle between positive and negative forces.

It is up to us – the voters to tell off the politicians trying to divide us along tribal lines. Let us prevent them from building their nest on our heads.

We must plan to use our votes wisely come 2012 because it will be senseless to blame politicians for our miseries after voting in the wrong leaders. Change begins from the moment we muster the courage to act. When we change, the environment will change. The power to change the Kenya is found nowhere but within our own lives, and the strength of the nation is its people.

Our current crop of political leaders should be warned that trust is difficult to earn and is easily lost. Trust built over a decade can be shattered in an instant by one off handed remark or deed.

Candidates for various political positions are now sprouting up with promises to voters of many things to come. Some, who are even over 50 years still claim to be youths, and expect to ride on the youth wave.  They are forgetting that what Kenyans want is a leader who could bring the change we want regardless of age. Almost all of them have been in the Government and held very powerful positions and have done absolutely nothing to develop Kenya. Why is it that they have to wait until there is an election to start giving us empty rhetoric? Where were they since 2007?