Art: African Cultural Music and Dance
Between stirring pots and wiping tables on Saturdays, something new began to pulse at ETCO: the slap of skin on drum, a tentative foot finding the beat, a chorus of children who usually only hum now trying harmony. With support from Joseph Tako and our board, we bought traditional instruments — tools for teaching African cultural music and dance to young people who already carry rhythm in their bodies, but rarely get structured time to sharpen it.
Culture here is not a museum piece. It is the story families tell while cooking ugali, the songs heard at weddings, the movements older aunties still remember from village days. We want children in Kibera to own that inheritance — to know it is not backward to love your own sound.
Saturdays: food first, then art
Alongside the feeding programme, Grade 6 and above already have free computer lessons; now dance and song join the lineup while younger ones wait for lunch. In Kenya’s CBC classrooms, teachers hunt for evidence of talent — we want parents to see ETCO as a partner in that search, not a rival.
Bring your child to ETCO offices on Saturdays for practice. If you play nyatiti, drums, or anything with strings and patience, we are also looking for volunteer teachers who can stay kind with beginners. Talent grows where time and tools meet — we are trying to supply both.
Day 1 Unclogging
Day 1. Today, ETCO in collaboration with the Nairobi Rivers Commission, Phase 3 and Canaan Estate Management, commenced efforts to address the long-standing drainage blockage at the Phase 3 Market Stalls. While this intervention provides a short-term solution to the recurring blockage that frequently causes flooding and related challenges in both Phase 3 and Canaan Estate, as well as inconveniences road users accessing Kibera through Nyayo Highrise Ward via Kibera Access Road, we strongly urge the management of both estates to establish a regular maintenance schedule for the culverts to prevent future clogging. With the anticipated El Niño rains, proactive preparedness is essential to minimize the risk of further property damage, flooding, stormwater-related impacts, and potential loss of life. These ongoing efforts form part of our commitment to protecting the environment, improving drainage systems, and ensuring that rivers and waterways flow freely without obstruction.
Day of an African Child (DAC) - Planning Meeting
Kibera Gender Advocacy Network (KGAN) Meeting at Umande Trust Office to plan for the Day Of an African Child (DAC) on the 16TH June 2026. ETCO is a member organization.
Ngong River Regeneration Network - Zone (1-6)
The Ngong River Regeneration Network Zone Coordinators (Zones 1–6) held a productive meeting with the Commissioners representing the Ngong River, chaired by Commissioner Benjamin Langwen, alongside Commissioners John Kioli and Dr. Loice Jepkemboi Kipkiror, together with Inspector Ashford - NRC Secretariat. The meeting was highly engaging and inspiring, leaving us even more energized and committed to advancing the river restoration agenda. Together, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to not only regenerating our rivers, but also promoting a cleaner environment, encouraging food production through downstream farming, and creating sustainable job opportunities through riverine activities. #NgongRiverRestoration #NairobiRivers #EnvironmentalConservation #RiverRegeneration #ClimateAction #CommunityEmpowerment #GreenJobs