Poverty is the biggest problem in the slum. People in Kibera still live below a dollar a day. People live in shacks sized 12ft by 12ft, made of mud and corrugated iron sheets. Access to toilets remains a big issue. One latrine is shared by upto 50 shacks. Shacks host up to 8 members with kids often sleeping on the floor.

50% of the eligible workforce in Kibera is unemployed. The remaining 50% perform unskilled manual jobs especially in the neighboring industrial areas. Average wage is 2$ a day and some may even earn much lower than that. Apart from the casual jobs in the industrial areas, other areas of employment include small shops, hair salons, barber shops,music stores, repair shops, car wash for the middle class and eateries. Majority of the women are also roadside sellers.

Female illiteracy is high due to ingrained gender inequality. Where there is no enough money to educate every child, a boy child would be prioritised.

Girls would be encouraged into early marriage and employment. Due to the need to earn money, older children drop out of education to contribute to family income. Monthly menstruation provision are also a contributing factor to girls missing school.