From Margins To Metrics
This project works with informal workers to document their lived experiences and turn them into meaningful data. By training 15 informal workers as community researchers, we collected data from over 1,000 waste pickers, domestic workers, and matatu operators in Nairobi, generating evidence that strengthens advocacy and helps ensure their realities are reflected in policy and decision-making.
What does the data say?
We cleaned, analysed, and visualized the data to uncover key insights from the research. Explore the presentation below to better understand the realities facing informal workers and the evidence emerging from their experiences.
Data Policy Briefs
After collecting and analyzing the data, we worked with informal workers to co-create evidence-based policy recommendations. These briefs translate insights into practical actions that workers, unions, and advocacy groups can use to push for changes that improve working conditions and livelihoods.
Health and Safety.pdfPay and Contracts.pdfViolence and Harassment.pdfAccess the Data
Our data is open for use by policymakers, NGOs, researchers, and the media. Published under a Creative Commons license, it is accompanied by a Data Brief and a detailed methodology to help you explore, interpret, and cite the data responsibly.
Creative Data Communication
We brought data to life through creative communication—turning insights into videos shown inside matatus across Nairobi, reaching hundreds of thousands of commuters. We also placed data-driven messages directly into everyday spaces: stickers inside matatus, reflective vests for waste pickers, and lesos worn by domestic workers—ensuring the data is seen, shared, and owned by the communities it represents.
Partners
This project was developed in close collaboration with Data4Change, who provided invaluable support across data collection, analysis, and visualization. We also worked alongside community partners and worker groups, whose knowledge and engagement were central to the research and its outcomes. Margins and Metrics was funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation and Data4Change's support to the project was funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Do you want to collaborate? Let’s talk.
We’re always interested in connecting with people and organisations working towards social change. If you have an idea, a project, or just want to explore possibilities, we’d love to hear from you.
