As I work on research to address water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) challenges in Kibera, I’ve found that a solid research design is as important as its topic. I’ve recently come across common mistakes in research design which can impede progress, all of which I’ve subsequently witnessed proven to be accurate. Dr. Carin Runciman’s researchContinue reading Strong Research Design

In my Exclusion and Inequality class, I was able to reflect on what meritocracy means (a concept of meritocracy is that of success being determined when you only have talent and hard work). The idea here sounds fair, and logical: if you do your part then you should be able to make it, no matterContinue reading Meritocracy and why it cannot be the solution

For as long as I can remember I’ve been interested in learning how to leverage creative solutions to address complicated social issues, particularly in low resourced settings. I’m working on a dissertation which explores how Design Thinking might be used to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs for people living in Kibera. So, myContinue reading Design thinking in Research: What does it look like for this research?

When I first began examining inequality in Kibera, the concepts of “equality of opportunity” and “equality of outcome” became central to understanding the struggles people face daily in one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements. Kibera embodies a unique juxtaposition of resilience and challenge—where daily life presents hurdles that make these two forms of equality particularlyContinue reading Equality of Opportunity or Equality of Outcome?

Excremental Politics in Kibera: Perpetuating Inequality and Exclusion When I first began researching sanitation issues in Kibera, I realized that the conversation goes far beyond toilets and waste disposal—it’s about power, control, and who gets to live with dignity. In Kibera, one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, sanitation is not just a public health issue;Continue reading KIPP BLOG: ‘EXCREMENTAL POLITICS IN KIBERA’