The reformed criminals changing lives, fighting crime in Mathare

Mathare area is among neighbourhoods in Nairobi County once considered high-risk, with cases theft and robbery with violence reported. Young people between 16 to 25 in are among those recruited into gangs wreaking havoc in the area.

Today, residents of Mathare work towards changing the narrative. Premier Youth Community Based Organization based in Mathare slum has focused on teaching youth about crime, its consequences and the Kenyan law.

Growing up in Mathare, Christine Adhiambo’s parents would take her to the area chief for ‘punishment’ whenever she did something wrong.

“I genuinely did not know that crime was bad, and they did not educate me so I ended up doing it over and over. Today, a lot of girls here are in crime and they are very dangerous,” she said.

After joining the CBO, Adhiambo reformed and started participating in sports. She was among the team that represented Kenya in India in the 2025 Kho kho World cup.

Crime has hindered many of my friends from achieving their dreams. Majority of them end up using drugs and later engaging in crime.

 “I am really proud of myself and my journey, we are trying to bring girls together and get them busy so that they do not get involved in crime. I like talking to girls and has sessions on self-esteem and early pregnancies,’’ she said.

Felix Odhiambo lost five of his friends to crime. He was jailed 3 years at industrial area prison for three years. He opted to reform after the jail term.

“One time the mob attacked me and I thought I was going to die, today I am reformed and that’s why we decided to start the CBO just to support each other and our families. So far we are about 40 individuals and majority are below twenty five years,” he said.

The group undertakes projects like clean ups that earn them little cash which they use to support each other.

“We talk to the residents and create awareness about the crime, we have partnered with Crime Si Poa and they have been supporting us but we appeal for more,” he said. 

“You don’t have to be a criminal just because you were born in Mathare, there is hope of making a better life for yourself. I was once a criminal, but I reformed, you can also choose to lead a crime-free life,” added.