By Arnold Neliba

St Joseph Chapel in the slum of Deep Sea is the only outstation of the Consolata Shrine, Westlands. The little known four-acre informal settlement, sits next to Karura River and borders the lavish Muthaiga, Highridge and Parklands estates.

“Most of those who live there work for the surrounding Indian communities as truck drivers, caregivers, security guards.  They find affordable accommodation here in the slum,” says Josephine Koki a Catechist at Consolata Shrine.

Virginia Njeri Karanja has lived in the Deep Sea since 1990. She says although the origin of the name “Deep Sea” is vague, residents say the name was picked from a visiting white man’s wonder at a flooded River Karura. In awe he said, “That is a Deep Sea!”

According to Virginia, three neighbouring slums: Suswa, Maasai and the Deep Sea formed a small Christian community (Suswa and Maasai slums have since been demolished