Margins to Metrics: Community-Led Survey of Informal Workers in Nairobi (2025)

This dataset contains the results of a community-led survey of informal workers conducted in Nairobi, Kenya, between November and December 2025. The research was designed and implemented by Haki Data Lab (HDL), in collaboration with Data4Change (D4C), using a peer-administered survey model that centres informal workers as knowledge holders in the research process.

The dataset captures self-reported experiences of domestic workers, matatu workers, and waste pickers across key dimensions of informal work, including pay and contracts, workplace hazards, and exposure to violence and harassment. It provides disaggregated, hyperlocal data that is typically absent from official statistics and administrative systems.

The survey was administered in person by trained community researchers in everyday work settings such as transport hubs, car parks, and waste collection sites. Participation was voluntary, responses are anonymised, and no direct personal identifiers were collected. The methodology prioritised trust, safety, and contextual relevance over statistical representativeness. As a result, findings should be interpreted as indicative of patterns and lived experiences rather than population-level estimates.

This dataset is intended to support public-interest use, including advocacy, policy dialogue, research, journalism, and programme design. It is accompanied by a Data Collection Methodology document and a Guide to Using the Data, which provide essential context for interpretation, limitations, and responsible use.

The dataset complements national and global data sources such as the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll by providing worker-generated evidence that reflects the realities of informal work in Nairobi.

Files included

• informal_workers_nairobi_2025.csv
  Main dataset containing anonymised survey responses.
• questionnaire_hakidatalab.csv
  Structured version of the survey instrument, including question wording, response options, and variable structure. This file can be used to understand how variables in the dataset were defined and collected.
• Data Collection Methodology.pdf
  Detailed explanation of research design, sampling, ethics, and data handling.
• Guide to Using the Data.pdf
  Guidance on how to interpret the data, including limitations and responsible use.