Rooted in Resilience: Community-Led Nature-Based Solutions in Mathare

In the Mathare informal settlement, rivers running through the community can quickly become a source of flooding, putting homes, businesses, and livelihoods at risk. But residents are responding with practical, community-led Nature-Based Solutions that restore the environment, reduce flood risks, and create new opportunities for local livelihoods. This video showcases the Tuwe Pamoja project in Mathare as it highlights how community members and youth groups are working along the riverbanks to green public spaces, manage waste, protect the environment, and build resilience against climate-related shocks. Through their actions, they are demonstrating that local knowledge, collective effort, and simple nature-based approaches can transform vulnerable spaces into safer, healthier, and more productive parts of the community. From tree planting and riverbank restoration to waste management and livelihood activities, these initiatives show how communities can lead the way in adapting to climate change while improving daily life in informal settlements. Tuwe Pamoja, “Let us be together,” is a reminder that resilience grows when communities work side by side to protect both people and nature.