Passing by Mchumbi Road, the main thoroughfare in South B, Nairobi, the most tricking thing is the half-demolished shops that were once the lifeline of the centre.
But opposite the debris across the road is a two-storey building that houses a youth group that is determined to lift themselves by the bootstrings by exploiting their artistic talents.
Mukuru Art Collective, a brainchild of the 36-year-old school drop-out Adam Masava, has not only enabled 40 boys and girls to earn a living but has helped them move from the slums to more decent housing.
The youth from the slums of Mukuru Kayaba, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, and Marigunni in the southern part of Nairobi, are producing beautiful pieces of art using recycled materials such as egg shells shreds of African Kitenge, coffee, iron sheets, exercise books, sand, and other recycled materials.
Mukuru Art Collective has two display rooms on the ground floor and first floor—that cannot be spotted from the outside—but presents a pleasant surprise regarding what the talented youth create using materials that are normally discarded to waste dumps.
The common theme here—as one goes through the works on display—revolves around life in the slums, women selling vegetables, matatu culture, the life of school children in the slums, as well as wildlife.
Mukuru Art Collective is not only shaping the future of tens of young boys and girls who otherwise could have lost hope and fallen into crime and drugs, but it has also dramatically changed the lives of some former criminals.
Take for example James Mutungi, 41 who had spent 13 years in prison on charges of robbery-but which he maintains he was framed. Mutugi is now a full-fledged art professional specialising in drawing that brings out prison life.
“Art has changed my life and has helped me to heal from the trauma I experienced in prison. It has not only enabled me to grow as a person but has allowed me to communicate with the youth to warn them against the dangers of crime,” he said.
One of Mutugi’s paintings shows an inmate relieving himself in a plastic bucket next to a prison wall filled with various graffiti. Another painting shows inmates with mobile phones which they use to defraud innocent members of the public.
Mukuru Art Collective was registered six years ago and comprises professionals, semi-professionals, and learners. “We want the artists to come up with products that tell a story and relate with society,” said Masava.
The project has enabled over 60 young people to move from slums to more decent houses in Embakasi, Imara Daima, while helping their families whenever possible. For an artist to be incorporated into the group, one must have discipline, focus, and hard work. Every newcomer must undergo six months’ probation.
Masava says that the group is trying to move away from the usual appeal for donations and are more inclined towards self-sustenance. Earnings depend on how hard one works. Once an item is sold, between 20 to 25 percent of the proceeds go towards rent, operational costs, and materials.
Denis Randiga,33, joined the group in 2017 after meeting Masava by chance. Randiga was doing commercial art concentrating on replicas. He is now an expert on coffee on canvas. Randiga has the ambition to open his school and help the youth finance their education and have a positive impact on society.
Kelvin Nzioka, 24, who joined the group four years ago is speciallised in contemporary art. His work has enabled him to move from Mukuru Kayaba slums to Pipeline estate and has the ambition of training talented youth to realise their potential, “since school certificates don’t pay anymore”.
The biggest challenge facing the group is the marketing of their products. Apart from personal connections and word of mouth, the group has created a Facebook and Instagram where they post their work. Members are allowed to market their art individually in whatever way they can, which makes them grow as individuals. The other challenge is that some buy their products—especially foreigners who later produce replicas and earn millions of shillings.
Masava, is the inspiration behind the group. A school drop-out from St Bakita Primary School, he failed to join secondary school due to lack of school fees. While at St Bakita in 1998, Mr Masava emerged as number one in Africa in an art competition organized by the World Food Programme
“I drew a school in the desert with a truck carrying food and students chasing it. My school later earned a lot of food courtesy of my drawing. But attribute my success to the Sisters of Mercy Mission led by Sister Mary which nurtured our artistic talent.
Masava narrates how he later managed to join Form I at the age of 22 and managed to complete his secondary education paying for his school fees through the proceeds from art. He had to strike a delicate balance between drawing to earn money for school fees and studies for four years. “It was tiring,” he said.
Masava’s breakthrough came in 2007, his brother Patrick Oboya who was a footballer got a contract with a club in the Czech Republic, and through his connection, Masava was invited to hold an exhibition of his art in 2008 in which he earned $9,000 from the sales within one hour.
From there, he started taking arts seriously and organized to train young boys and girls to sharpen their talents. At Mariguinni Social Hall. When the number reached 50, they asked for a room at Mariakani Primary School. He was also lucky that an organisation, Good Neighbours from South Korea provided the group with materials, food, and certificates.
His students—Vincent Kimeu and Isaiah Malunga managed to pay their high school fees using the proceeds of selling their artwork. Masava says that many people don’t understand what art is all about.
“Most parents and society in general are keen on their children to embrace academics and look down upon art. The good thing is that art is growing among the youth as the sector is becoming an area for big investments,” he said.
Masava’s ambition is to develop a fully professional art centre in five years where those from poor families would learn free of charge.
