“A frog raised in the sea cannot understand the ways of the ocean: just as a child raised in the slum will not act like one from an affluent neighborhood.” This grim reality in Kenya was shared by a senior staff member of TINADA Youth, an NGO dedicated to improving well-being of young people.
In Kenya, poverty is not a choice but an adversary faced by a significant portion of population. Over 7.8 million Kenyans survive on less than 1.9 USD per day, with many residing in informal settlements such as Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa, located in Nairobi.
Fig: Children in Kibera slums performing household chores (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
“Living in the slum is like living a life of a crime: drugs everywhere, prostitution is rampant, illness is constant, and crime is daily reality. These are the models they know, the lives they have come to expect, ” stated the senior staff member of TINADA Youth.
Fig: Typical housing conditions in Kibera slums (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
The Struggles of Adolescents in Kenyan Slums
The low-income areas surrounding Nairobi’s city center are often overcrowded and cramped. Kibera, just 6.6 kilometers from the city center, houses between 170000 to 1.2 million people within a mere 2.5 square kilometers.
In these dire conditions, a family of four often shares a cramped 3-square-meter shack, which doubles as a sleeping area, kitchen, and dining room. The struggles in these homes include fears of leaking roofs, robberies, and natural disasters.
Fig: Children playing on rooftops in Southland, near Kibera (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
“Every day is a struggle just to find work, a temporary job to afford food. The biggest challenges are paying rent, getting food, and accessing education,” shared Terry, the founder of Women Youth And Children Organization (WYCDO), an NGO committed to supporting vulnerable communities.
Fig: Hair salon working conditions in Southland (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
Poverty in the slums also exacerbates issues like teenage pregnancy and sexual health. According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, approximately 18% of girls face teenage pregnancy, often at an age when they are neither physically nor financially prepared to raise a child. Along with teenage pregnancies, high HIV prevalence, lack of menstrual hygiene products, single-parent households, and prostitution are prevalent in these communities.
“When women are not empowered and men dominate opportunities, it leads to single-parent families where mothers struggle to support their children, which compounds the issue,” said Daniel Ruto, Director of Safina Development Organization, which works to empower women and alleviate poverty.
Fig: A teenage girl assisting her mother with a business in Kibera (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
Given the stressful environment, many teenagers in these areas turn to substance abuse, criminal activities, and violence, leading to poor mental health. These teenagers often don’t realize the psychological toll they are under, which results in behaviors that can be destructive to themselves and others.
Interviews with teenagers revealed that most rate their stress level between 7 and 8 out of 10, with the primary source of distress being the inability to pay school fees. According to a 2017 study by Florida State University, the average cost of public school in Kenya is 46 USD per year, with private schools costing 80 USD annually. In an attempt to cope with stress, many teenagers seek solace in their families and friends, but access to professional counseling remains limited.
Uncovering the Root Causes of Teenage Mental Health Issues
The physical and psychological struggles faced by Kenyan teenagers stemmed from the broader cycle of poverty. One of the primary causes is the lack of education, which is essential for breaking the cycle of poverty. The lack of access to education and technology limits opportunities, especially for those in rural and informal settlements. Both Terry and Daniel pointed out that low-income families often lack the financial resources to support their children’s education, which in turn perpetuates the lack of technical skills needed to secure stable employment. This cycle is difficult to break.
In addition to education, access to healthcare is another major issue. Lilian, a single mother of three, was supposed to visit the clinic daily due to her health problems, but could not afford it. “Sometimes, I have to forgo medical care just to keep my business running. The money I make only covers basic needs like painkillers,” she explained. Even when medical services are available, many people like Lilian cannot access them due to time constraints, as they juggle work and family responsibilities.
Fig: Lilian’s business in Southland (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
Due to their low income, many people cannot afford even basic medical treatments like malaria care. Volunteers from WYCDO reported that people only seek medical help once their condition has become critical.
Many residents and teenagers living in the Kibera slum reported that robbery and shooting incidents are common, with shootings occurring as frequently as once a month in some cases. Additionally, some young women resort to prostitution due to the urgent need to earn money to support their families.The lack of basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, and hygiene products, along with limited access to education, leads to increased psychological distress.
Fig: The living conditions of teenagers and their family in Kibera slums (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
Both teenagers and their parents face high levels of distress over essentials, especially school fees. Among the 20 teenagers interviewed, most reported that the inability to pay school fees was their greatest source of stress. Other challenges include the lack of food, clothes, and general financial stability.
Fig: A group of children hanging out in Southland (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
Esther, an 18-year-old from the Maasai tribe, shared, “My father is unemployed, so I worry about how we will cover school fees. Sometimes, we have to stay home while others go to school.” Many teenagers are forced to temporarily drop out due to lack of funds, causing additional anxiety and stress related to school attendance and basic supplies.
Though not directly stated by the teenagers, several NGO members and residents of the slum highlighted exposure to domestic violence as a significant contributing factor to poor mental health among adolescents. Parents often carry unresolved traumas and depression, which manifest as stress and are transferred to their children through violence or harsh behavior. “They grow up very stressed, and don’t know how to manage their anger,” one resident observed.
In addition to material deprivation, peer pressure also exacerbates the teenage mental health crisis in Kenya.” There’s a disparity during Christmas. Some of us don’t have places to go or money for good clothes, while others do. It creates stress,” shared a boy living in the slum. Both teenagers and NGOs noted that many of the pressures young people face stem originate from the desire to outdo their peers, whether materially or academically.
Fig: A group of children hanging out in Southland (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
On a scale from 1 to 10, most interviewed teenagers rated their life satisfaction between 2 to 5. This low dissatisfaction reflects significant dissatisfaction with their current living conditions, fears for their health and safety within neighborhood, and trauma stemming from exposure to violence.
Another barrier to mental health support is the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Due to the lack of awareness and education about mental health, individuals with mental health problems are often labeled as “crazy” or “coo-coo.”
“We (in society) don’t accept it. We consider it a weakness,” said staff from TINADA Youth. In addition to interpersonal and societal pressure, teenagers and their parents also face uncontrollable challenges, such as natural disasters and environmental issues.
From an environmental perspective, a single mother living with her three children in Kibera, endured a devastating flood in November 2024. They relocated to higher ground for safety when the flood struck, but upon returning, they discovered that everything in their shelter had been stolen. The combined impact of natural disasters and robbery has significantly heightened her feelings of worry and helplessness.
Fig: A street in the Kibera slums (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
Efforts to Address Teenage Mental Health Issues
These environmental and social issues are often linked to inadequate protection systems and weak enforcement of laws, especially when teenagers face bullying, robbery, rape, or harassment. In severe cases, gangs may even bribe police to access firearms for activities. Living in such an environment forester deep concern among teenagers about their safety.
Additional contributions to teenage mental health crises include negative experiences at schools and varying levels of family neglect.
Existing Solutions
In response to the widespread mental health challenges faced by low-income Kenyan teenagers, NGOs, and governmental policies have made strides in addressing these issues. Efforts focus on two key areas: tackling mental health concerns directly and addressing the root cause of poverty to create long-term solutions. From a psychological perspective, the government is implementing initiatives like the Kenyan Mental Health Policy 2015-2030 and expanding counseling services in schools to help teenagers to work toward a brighter future. Some teenagers reported benefiting from weekly counseling sessions to cope with their current stress. Additionally, adults shared that they have learned deep techniques such as deep-breathing exercises from health clinics in the slums to manage overwhelming situations.
These resources play a vital role in promoting mental health awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental disorders. As a result, teenagers are better equipped to recognize their mental health conditions and seek professional support.
Fig: Existing support and projects in the Kibera slum (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
NGOs like WYCDO and TINADA Youth have also created support groups to connect individuals with similar experiences, providing a sense of solidarity and strength. “We believe that bringing people together empowers them take action,”” said Terry, WYCDO founder.
As an old Chinese proverb states: “Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” Similarly, teenagers in Kenya need the skills to “catch fish” , to build sustainable solutions, rather than relying on temporary assistance.
TINADA Youth and other NGOs have implemented sport, educational, and health programs to build psychological resilience in teenagers. On the economic front, these NGOs focus on empowering young people and women through education and business training.
These initiatives help individuals develop the skills needed to improve their economic circumstances.
Fig: Staff from TINADA Youth sharing their experiences (Filmed by Tianhui Xie)
In WYCDO, Terry manages funds to support families in need. These funds are often used to start or strengthen small businesses, helping families manage rent and school fees. Single mothers who received these funds reported feeling less stressed as they were able to support their children’s education and secure a more stable future.
“I am using the loan I received to support my business. With the profits, I can pay for my children’s school fees, and other essentials,” said a single mother in Southland.
Conclusion
The case study highlights the significant mental health challenges faced by low-income adolescents in Kenya, particularly those living in urban slums like Kibera. These challenges are deeply rooted in poverty, inadequate education, limited access to healthcare, and exposure to violence and environmental risks. Adolescents often experience high levels of stress and anxiety due to unmet basic needs, societal pressures, and family-related issues.
Efforts by NGOs like WYCDO and TINADA Youth, alongside government initiatives, have made strides in addressing these challenges. Through mental health counseling, awareness campaigns, support groups, and economic empowerment programs, these organizations are helping to build resilience among adolescents and their families. While these initiatives have shown promise, long-term solutions require a systemic approach that addresses the root causes of poverty, strengthens protective systems, and fosters sustainable development. Empowering adolescents with education, skills, and support can help break the cycle of poverty and create brighter futures for Kenya’s youth.
References:
https://www.kibera.org.uk/facts-info/
https://journals.openedition.org/eastafrica/521?lang=en
https://techlitafrica.org/blog/primary-school-in-kenya-what-does-it-cost
