What is Nairobi’s ‘Ghetto Classics Orchestra’?

The Ghetto Classics Orchestra is an orchestra that was set up in 2007 in one of Nairobi’s slums, Korogocho. The slum is located near a very large landfill site (rubbish dump) which can be very unsafe. The site has many gangs, making it even more dangerous for young people who can be easily influenced. The orchestra is able to give free music lessons to around 1,500 students weekly. It was set up by Elizabeth Njoroge, a Kenyan woman who saw the link between poverty and crime and wanted to inspire children through her love of music. 

WHAT INSPIRED THE BEGINNING OF THE GHETTO CLASSICS ORCHESTRA?

The Ghetto Classics Orchestra is the result of Elizabeth Njoroge’s vision for classical music’s ability to change the lives of children in some of the poorest communities in Nairobi. As a child, Njoroge loved music. She began to play the piano when she was four years old and continued the practice until she was a teenager. When she finished school, she was not encouraged to continue pursuing music. She chose a scientific career path, studying abroad in Canada and then the United Kingdom. She worked abroad for a few years and returned to Kenya in 2003. She still loved music and was shocked to see that it was mainly taught in wealthy white communities. In 2007, she began to host a radio show on classical music for two hours a week. One day, a bus driver called in and told her that he played classical music on his bus every day. This made Njoroge realise that many people had a passion for classical music. She became determined to make classical music available to more people, and so she set up the Ghetto Classics Orchestra.

HOW HAS THE GHETTO CLASSICS ORCHESTRA DEVELOPED?

When Njoroge started the orchestra in 2007, she began with only fourteen pupils. They played with instruments loaned by the Kenya Conservatoire of Music. Over time, the orchestra received donations of musical instruments and money. With more funds, the orchestra could expand and more teachers could be paid. In 2013, the orchestra opened up to more privileged children. This meant the orchestra played a social role in joining two communities through a love of classical music. The orchestra benefitted from sponsorship from Safaricom which created the ‘Safaricom International Jazz Festival’ and gave ticket profits to fund the Ghetto Classics Orchestra. As part of the festival, international musicians such as Kirk Whalum and Salif Keita gave masterclasses to the students. The programme is now very successful. It has trained a third of the musicians in Kenya’s National Youth Orchestra.


The Ghetto Classics Orchestra has made a huge impact on children’s lives. It has helped hundreds of children in the slums of Nairobi and has been extended to Mombasa. It helps children stay in school by finding them sponsors to help pay for their education. The orchestra even has very famous fans, they have performed for Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and Pope Francis.

Image via Ghetto Classics Facebook page

JENNA COLACO

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