By John Ngonde

Like most Kenyans, I have friends from different tribes and faiths, but in most cases our interactions have been on the superficial, day-to-day conversations; you know, the weather, the traffic, the government, the opposition and, of course, parliamentarians and MCAs. So when recently I had a real need for my Muslim friends, I caught myself wondering why I had never delved deeper into the world of my Muslim friends. I have never knocked at and got past my Muslim friends’ doors!

Here I was, faced with a six-day data collection assignment among the Islamic community in Kibera, and I knew that I could do with the assistance of my friends, but I couldn’t dare face them, for fear of appearing like a ‘user’. I modified a way around it, and got a great opportunity to reflect, work, grow, and more — much more than I can tell in this piece.

Free soup in Kibera!

Working in Kibera (Slum) is not easy. Some residents have made it a rule to expect a reward even for waking up and basking in the sun. No kidding! I had to pay someone to go round with me and get respondents to talk. He provided security within the treacherous, often mugger-riddled alleys, and identified potential respondents. Not every Muslim wears a hijab… a jibab… well! Thankfully, Mohamed and Hawa, gladly took the little I offered.

Hey, I ask the questions…

Sometimes suspicion, resulting from years of alleged exploitation, took the better of potential respondents and stopped them from filling the questionnaires. They perceived my activity to be part of a cleverly disguised exploitation mechanism. At one time, I encountered an elderly man whose first reaction to seeing the survey questionnaire was that we should not bother him as we were likely part of Mujahedeen who had allegedly hinted at expelling a moderate Imam from a nearby mosque. No explaining helped allay his fears, and he would fill no questionnaire. He didn’t want extremism in Kibera. Period.

Aren’t you a Muslim?

There were times when I felt thoroughly amused at how some would impress the faith on me. From indecent dress code to unbecoming conduct between boys and girls — serious teaching — there was plenty of topics for animated one-way talk! You should have seen the speakers’ surprise whenever they realised that I was not a Muslim. It was in those moments that, rather mischievously, I felt it served them right for distracting me, especially if they had refused to fill the questionnaire.

Amazing show of enthusiasm

Throughout the exercise, I couldn’t help but enjoy the excitement the respondents displayed at the upcoming project. You should have seen Mohamed’s face light up, his voice grow livelier, as he watched respondents display enthusiasm. That alone gave me confidence that our project had succeeded.