Many old people like to depend on their relatives for help either financially or socially.
However, to the elderly in Kibera, this has been taken as a tale which they do not depend on.
They have decided to exercise by engaging in income-generating activities which keep them busy. This has helped them not to depend on other people or their relatives.
Thomas Kimiu Kaleli has chosen to collect old tyres which he uses to make African sandals called popularly known as akala.
The sandals are long lasting therefore preferred by many people in society both the old and the young.
“I decided to try my business since most of those I was depending on lost their jobs and I found out that I could not depend on them anymore. I collect the tyres from the vehicle owners who want to dispose them off. Sometimes I buy them,” said the 75-year-old.
Kimiu who hails from Machakos County said he had no other means to educate his son who is a student in Nairobi.
He, however complains of the scarcity of the tyres in the market since those being manufactured now have metallic threads unlike the previous ones which had manila.