The Mukuru Economic and Social Opportunities project (MESO) addresses the socio-economic challenges faced by vulnerable children, youth, and women in the informal settlement of Mukuru in Nairobi, Kenya. It aims to improve the living conditions through education, livelihood support, child protection, climate action, and policy dialogue.
In the heart of Sinai Ward, Viwandani village, lives Muli Munyo, a 43-year-old father of five children, three girls and two boys, one of whom is his nephew. Life wasn’t always kind to Muli. His world crumbled when his small business collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quiet and withdrawn, Muli never spoke much about the emotional toll it took on him. His wife eventually left, unable to cope with the growing domestic challenges, and Muli found himself slipping into alcoholism, a common escape for him and his group of 12 business partners.
Muli's turning point came when a village elder noticed his struggle and introduced him to a local church. Through spiritual guidance and community support, he began to change. The church helped stabilize his life by offering basic support such as food and rent. Eventually, he was referred to the Mukuru Slums Development Projects (MSDP) under the Mukuru Economic and Social Opportunities (MESO) project, funded by the Medicor Foundation and DKA through horizont3000.
MSDP conducted a home visit and, seeing the urgent need, supported Muli with a business startup grant of KES 7,000. He used the funds to buy over 10 pairs of shoes to restart his small business. More than just financial support, Muli received entrepreneurship training covering five key modules: introduction to entrepreneurship, market surveys, business idea generation, business planning, and financial management, including group savings.
Muli went on to form a savings group called Solidarity Parents, composed of 15 members, he is the only man and proudly serves as the group’s chairperson. He now saves KES 500 weekly from his profits.
“The MESO project gave me a second chance, it empowered us and restored our hope”
From selling just five pairs of shoes in February 2025, Muli now stocks over 50 pairs and sells an average of 5–15 pairs daily to men, earning between KES 1,500 and 3,000 (about USD 23). His small shoe business has not only grown but created jobs, he now employs four community members who help with hawking in exchange for a commission.
Thanks to this transformation, Muli has returned all his children to school. Two of his boys are completing vocational training in plumbing. He also reconciled with his wife, who now lives in the village. They are using business profits to construct a permanent house and have even started a small goat-rearing venture to secure their future.
MSDP is a grassroots NGO rooted in the heart of the Mukuru informal settlement, with over two decades of experience uplifting the most vulnerable residents through social and economic empowerment.
Born from the collaboration of seven community-based organizations in 2002 and officially registered in 2006, MSDP works hand in hand with the community, supporting persons with disabilities, women, teenage mothers, youth, and street-connected children.
With a focus on education, life skills, and social protection, MSDP champions local voices and builds resilience. Guided by values of justice, integrity, and service, MSDP envisions a society where every person can thrive with dignity.
