Chomelea, 39, lives with his wife and two children in a single-room iron-sheet house in a sub-section of Kibera between areas known locally as Moyale ndogo (‘Little Moyale’) and Legio Maria. Though not originally from Nairobi, Chomelea has lived in Kibera for over 15 years.
Moyale Ndogo is a small yet distinct area in Kibera, located at the border of Lindi and Laini Saba Ward. Its name, borrowed from the northern Kenyan region of Moyale, reflects the identity of its residents, predominantly people of Cushitic and Somali origin. In the heart of Kibera’s dense and diverse landscape, Moyale Ndogo stands out as a cultural pocket, where the languages, traditions, and daily rhythms of northern Kenya are carried into the urban life of Nairobi.
He migrated from Kitale, a rural area 326 Km from Nairobi, in 2008 in search of work, and has since built a life rooted in iron craftsmanship. His wife, aged 35, hawks clothes around the neighbourhood, and together they manage household expenses and support extended family back in Kitale. Their children, an 11-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, are healthy and active. However, Chomelea has a personal and painful awareness of climate-related health risks, as he has tragically lost two children, including a son who passed suddenly from pneumonia during a cold spell. When we met, Chomelea spoke about the child being “well covered” at home, but the cold still sadly found a way.
We first met Chomelea during an initial visit to Kibera. The interaction was brief but lively, with his energy and openness immediately standing out. He expressed interest in being part of our research, and we left with a promise to return. After scheduling an interview over the phone, Chomelea asked us to meet him at his workshop in Moyale Ndogo and then welcomed us into his home. The workshop, located not far from his home, is where he makes a living through metal fabrication, a craft he learned following the early loss of his father. As we approached the workshop, Chomelea greeted us warmly, having just finished working on a window frame. Sparks flew from his fabrication machine, illuminating the focused movements of both Chomelea and a colleague beside him, who continued working with quiet precision.
It was an unusually cold day, the second time we met Chomelea, part of a prolonged cold spell that had settled in Nairobi. Wrapped in layers to stay warm, it was a poignant setting in which to discuss cold and its presence in the air, our bodies, and our stories. Chomelea noted that cold seasons, especially around June, July, and now extending into August, have become longer and more unpredictable. Last year’s cold and rain were particularly disruptive, making it difficult to work due to wet conditions and electrical hazards. His experiences have given him a deep awareness of shifting weather patterns. Chomelea’s understanding of climate change is rooted in lived experience and spiritual belief. He sees the unpredictability of weather, cold extending into unexpected months, as part of divine design. While he acknowledges that climate patterns have shifted, he attributes these changes to God’s will rather than human activity.
The cold also affects his home. Chomelea’s home is modest but well-organised, containing two beds, two three-seater sofas, a cupboard with a TV and a table. Rent ranges from KSh 3,000 to 5,000, which he considers fair given the spaciousness compared to other areas. We observed the ceiling lined with a barrier to reduce dust and retain heat, an adaptation that Chomelea proudly explained. The floor was covered with a mat to reduce cold, as he noted that walking barefoot on bare cement during cold seasons was uncomfortable. These small but intentional modifications reflect a practical understanding of environmental stressors and a proactive approach to comfort and health.
Chomelea believes that areas with dense vegetation or poor housing conditions experience more intense cold. In contrast, the crowded iron-sheet homes in Lindi retain heat, especially when neighbours cook with coils, creating a shared warmth that buffers against the chill. Chomelea also noted that homes located near toilets or flood-prone zones tend to be colder and damper, increasing vulnerability to illness. While he expresses scepticism about external interventions, he is open to support, such as heaters or improved housing materials, especially for those most affected by the cold. He has not seen any interventions from the government or any projects in the area that are addressing climate-related health challenges and believes more could be done to support vulnerable households.
Chomelea connects cold weather to increased illness in the community, particularly coughing, sneezing, and pneumonia. While his wife experiences shortness of breath during cold spells, she has not been diagnosed with asthma. Chomelea himself is rarely affected, though he recalls one instance when the cold nearly overwhelmed him, prompting him to seek warmth and medication, using leftover medicine that he had previously gotten from a nearby pharmacy in his area. His daughter, however, tends to be the primary transmitter of fever within the household during cold seasons. When asked if his household had ever experienced pneumonia, he revealed a heartbreaking story: his youngest child had passed away after developing pneumonia. The child had initially caught a cold and, despite being properly covered indoors, the illness sadly progressed. While at the hospital, Chomelea questioned how the cold could have reached the child, given the precautions they had taken. It was during this moment that he first learned about pneumonia and shared the information with his wife. Chomelea attributes his own good health to physical activity and peace of mind. His daily work, bending, cutting and fabricating metal, is physically demanding and serves as his exercise. His wife’s hawking routine also involves long walks, which he considers beneficial. Their children, active in school and play, contribute to the household’s overall vitality. He emphasises that peace of mind is a major factor in his improved health over the years, suggesting a strong link between emotional stability and physical wellness. For him, climate is not a global crisis; it’s the reason he wears a sweater, adapts his home, and worries about his wife’s breathing. The cold brings fever to his family, disruption to his work and triggers memories of loss. But Chomelea’s story is one of quiet agency and resilience. He doesn’t wait for interventions; he builds, adapts and flourishes within difficult constraints.
