Slum Improvement Lessons in Africa: Kibera

Abstract

Kibera is Kenya’s largest slum and one the most notorious and unsanitary informal settlements in Africa. With around 240,000 inhabitants Kibera plays an important role in Nairobi’s booming economy. Kibera’s notoriety stems from its lack of a basic functional infrastructure and its contested legal status as residents are excluded from formal access to land, housing and basic urban services. After decades of underperforming policies and failed upgrading projects, new legislation, policies and financing instruments have been established which are set to improve overall living conditions. Major slum improvement lessons learnt from previous slum upgrading policies in Kenya emphasise the importance of community collaboration, communication strategies, capacity building, and welfare policies.