Mukuru is a slum within Naoirobi's industrial area. It incorporates the 'villages' of Fuata, Nyaya, Kabibiria, Kayaba, Knigstone, Kisii, Kwa Njenga, Kwa Reuben, LungaLunga, Mariguini and Sinai, Satellite Villages come and go very quickly, as squatters move into any available space, erect cardboard or corrugated iron huts and settle down. After some weeks or months, somebody lays claim to the plot of land and all structures are demolished overnight.

There is a shifting population in Mukuru as people migrate from rural areas for a while, hoping for better things, and many drift away after some years, to be replaced by others. the regular population could be anywhere between 500,000 and 800,000 at any given time. Its proximity to the industrial area makes it an attractive place for industrial workers to settle with their families and to carry on small businesses like selling food and vegetables.

Many of the 'shacks' are made of mabati, others of cardboard or plastic materials. They are mainly one-roomed, with no water, electricity or sanitation. There are very narrow passages between the shacks, mainly filled with sewerage and waste from the houses. Local alcoholic brews are sold cheaply, and provide the main recreational outlet, as well as a lucrative business for any of the women. Other recreational outlets are video parlours with often doubtful programmes on offer. Crime is high with women and children constantly at risk. Waterborne disease and HIV infection rates are high. yet, compared with other Nairobi slums, very few NGOs are actively involved in Mukuru.

Mukuru Promotion Centre
Programmes organised and run by the Sisters Of Mercy are all dependent on voluntary funding, and are church based.

It manages four primary schools -
    ·Mukuru Kayabe (1300 students)
    ·St Bakhita's (800 students)
    ·St Elizabeths (1320 students)
    ·St Catherines (800 students)
Sponsorship programmes for a small percentage of gradates from its primary schools to second level schools, skills training centres and schools for disabled children.

Skills training in tailoring, dressmaking, computer skills and hairdressing.

Mary Immaculate Rehabilitation Centre, attended by street children, some of whom are being helped with substance abuse problems.

Residential Home for about 70 needy children, most of whom are orphans.

health service offering free voluntary counselling and testing for AIDS, Home visitation and care, Malnutrition programmes and community based health care services.

Social workers play a key role in the work of MPC, in contacting and liaising with families, attending the residential home and schools, bringing children form the streets to the rehab centre and being an important link between the residents of Mukuru and the project.

Members of the congregation of the Sisters Of Mercy
From left - Marion Dolan, Jedidah Gakuha, May McCarron, Liz Fletcher (Provincial Leader), Magdalen Musau