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The Town of Maai Mahiu

Maai Mahiu was originally a province under the reign of Britain during the colonial period. Britain eventually sold the land to a group of individuals, who in turn sold the land to the people of Kenya. Local Kenyans living in present day Maai Mahiu purchased anywhere from five to twenty acres of the land, where families have now settled and built their houses. The area grew substantially as the people began to migrate from other provinces of Kenya. This trend continued through the late seventies and early eighties until the town solidified itself as the community of Maai Mahiu.

Maai Mahiu is situated on what is known as "AIDS Highway", a major trade route between Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda. Because it is the principle truck stop on that highway, prostitution, AIDS and alcoholism are extremely prevalent and continuing to grow. Because of the poverty that has stricken this town, at least half of the families survive on one meal a day. Most families are without plumbing and utilities.

The land is mostly dry, rarely receiving rain, making water and its sources unreliable. The area is exceedingly full of dirt with cactus and long, thick grass. This geography makes farming and producing successful crops next to impossible. Corn and beans are the only foods that can be continually produced.


The town itself encompasses a ten-mile radius, being home for approximately ten to fifteen thousand people, most who are at a bare level of income. The unemployment rate is about 60 percent. Those lucky enough to find work, make their money through farming, market selling and trading and brewing illegal alcohol for sale. These individuals bring home an average of between $100-150 annually. The few, who have proper education and are willing, commute to Nairobi to seek jobs that fit their training. Most of the time employment is scarce.


Most of the population of Maai Mahui makes it difficult to increase their well-being. Part of this problem is attributed to those who that have nothing yet are selective in the work they are willing to do. They often lack the knowledge and skills to acquire well paying jobs. This leads to loss of hope and corruption. Often men who cannot find work smuggle goods from trucks in transit on the highway, others find odd jobs around town but usually resort to corruption as a way to provide income. Some women have opened small shops in the town attempting to start and run their own business, but most are unsuccessful at providing adequate income. At this point, with families to feed, these women fall into prostitution. This contributes to the growing rate of AIDS and the cycle continues.

In 2003, the new government implemented a free education program for the community. But even as this new system is in place, many children are still unable to attend school because they don't have the financial means for the required books and uniforms. Therefore, most the children of Maai Mahiu go with little to no education.