Nairobi, May 9 -- As she steps into the vast Mazembe sports grounds in Kaptembwa slums, Nakuru Town West, Josephine Atieno Achieng' freely interacts with fans, vegetable vendors, and hawkers on the touchlines.

Josephine could easily pass for an ordinary resident in the sprawling slums, home to more than 100,000 people.

The announcement of a team she supports scoring a winning goal is followed by wholesome laughter and high-fives all around the dusty pitch as she hugs and dances with football fans from Kaptembwa and Kwa Rhonda slums.

Newcomers to this populous ground are baffled by how she effortlessly cracks jokes and mingles with some members of the notorious "Confirm" gang, comprising mainly unemployed youths living in informal settl...