Case Study: Nairobi

Case Study: Nairobi

 

 

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Introduction

According to Odudho (2002: 43), the issue of urbanization in Kenya began centuries ago particularly along the coastal area where towns developed as trading centers far back in the 9th century.  Nonetheless, most of the urban centers in Kenya can trace their roots to the colonial period during which such centers were used by the imperial authorities as administrative centers. In a study conducted by the Malombe (2004: 26), there was an increase in the percentage of Kenyans living in urban centers.  The research indicates that in 1979 there was an increase in the urban population to 15.1% down from 5.1% in 1948. There was further increase in 1989 from 18.0% to 34.8 % in 2000. Currently, the number of urban centers in Kenya   is about 194. Notably, Nairobi the capital city of Kenya hosts about 45% of the overall urban population of Kenya.

Historical background of Nairobi.

The development of Nairobi city can trace way back to the construction of Kenya Uganda Railway. The railways headquarters was moved to Nairobi from Mombasa and as a result, Nairobi gradually developed as a business as well as a commercial hub administered by British colonial administration. By the 1900, the city of Nairobi had grown tremendously with separate residential areas for Indians who were generally laborers at railway construction, and Europeans who were the colonial master. Surprising, Nairobi by this time did not have any particular African settlement area. Later in the same year Nairobi under took the function of a capital city of Kenya and the boundaries of the capital were demarcated.  It was officially declared as a capital of Kenya in 1907. The capital of Kenya became a city in 1950 and there has been a rapid increase in the population density henceforth.

            There were clear indications of segregation right from the earliest times between the Africans, Asians, and Europeans residential areas and the Central Business District (CBD). The road network and other internal structures were developed in Nairobi by 1909. Following the rapid growth of infrastructure as well as population, there was an extension of Nairobi’s boundaries to cover 77square kilometers (30 square miles) in 1927. These boundaries remained unchanged until 1963 where the capital was further extended to cover an area of about 686 square kilometers (266 square miles). The functions of the Nairobi city have expanded and developed tremendously from the initial growth in that to date, the city has attained a great deal of dominance  in  economic, cultural, social, and political life not only of the Kenyan people but also the enter region of East Africa.

Informal settlements in Nairobi

Source: (Government of Kenya, 2001)

A study conducted by Odudho and Aduwo, (2002: 58) indicate that there has been a significant change in the population of Nairobi. In their research, they suggest that the immigration from the central province of Kenya, which borders the city, has been the primary source of growth of Nairobi. Other sources of immigration have been western, Eastern, and Nyanza provinces of the country (Odudho and Aduwo, 2002: 58).  Apart from the massive migration from the aforementioned areas of the country to the city, natural growth and boundary changes factors have also contributed to population growth in the city.

There are several problems that have emerged in Nairobi city in the past two decades. These problems include but not limited to poor governance, discrimination and victimization of particular ethin groups, poor environmental condition, increase in diseases and emergence of slums. Nairobi city is governed by the Nairobi City Council (NCC) which falls under the ministry of local government in the central government. Nairobi City Council (NCC) consists of members who are elected at the civic level; it also has executive staff charged with the responsibility of day to day running of the council. The operation of the Nairobi City Council (NCC) is governed by The Local Government Act Cap (265) of Kenyan laws. A fully constituted council has 73 councilors, 55 of whom are elected from their respective civic areas while the remaining 18 councilors are nominated.

The biggest problem that has persistantly affected  Nairobi for the last two decades  is pooer governance and corruption within the Nairobi City Council (NCC). The individual charged with the responsibility of collecting revenue on behalf of the council across the city are very corrupt. Often times, such officers do not remit the full amount of rates collected  within the city and therefore service delivery by the city council of Nairobi becomes almost impossible. It does not come as a surprise that in a survey conducted by transparency international, Nairobi City Council (NCC) emerged as the fifth most corrupt sector among public institutions (Syagga &  Malombe, 1995). Consequently, a huge number of individuals living in informal settlements around Nairobi have continued to suffer due to the poor performance and service delivery of Nairobi City Council (NCC). The only way to address and improve the living conditions of slum dwellers in Nairobi city is by improving the governance of the Nairobi City Council (NCC).

            For the last twenty years, environmental conditions have been deteriorating in the city of Nairobi. The poor environmental conditions have contributed to a number of ailments that are common within the city especially in the slum area. Some of most common diseases in the city include waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid, malaria, HIV/AIDS, flue, TB, and measles to mention but a few. Poor environmental conditions in Nairobi city for the last two decades include: lack of clean water within some parts of the city, poor drainage systems, crowding in some areas (Situma, 1992). The most serious environmental problem in some parts of the city is that there are no sanitation facilities, a factor that has been cited as the most notaries in causing health related predicaments

Another issue that has persistentl affected Nairobi for the last twenty years is the growth of  informal settlement and slums. Such informal settlements and slums are widely situated across Nairobi. These areas accommodate a very huge number of individuals in the city especially the low-income people (Syagga &  Malombe, 1995).  Access to essential services in this area is almost impossible. Social amenities are very scarce because the population density is very high. Most parents who live in these informal settlements and slums cannot afford to give their children a decent education. Consequently, these children cannot be able to get a decent job to improve their standard of living; they end up joining criminal gangs hence the high crime rate in Nairobi. Others end up being street dwellers who beg for handouts from shoppers at shopping moles across the city.

Discrimination and Victimization based on the ethnicity of an individual has persisted in Nairobi for the last twenty years.  Most areas in Nairobi are named according to the community that is more dominant in the area. What’s more, most tenants around the city prefer to rent a house that is owed by a person from their own ethnic group. Settlements that are based on ethnic groups are therefore very common within Nairobi and it is influenced by the initial settlers of a particular area. Most residential areas have no security of tenure and the landlords often evict tenants with short or absolutely no notice. It goes without saying that once a tenant has failure to pay his or her rent eviction is eminent (Situma, 1992).

The rate of crime in Nairobi has been on the rise for the last twenty years. According to Odudho and Aduwo, (2002: 34) the increase in the crime rate has greatly been influence by the emergence of informal settlement around the city, which act as a safe haven for criminal and gangs. In most of these informal settlements, income levels of the residents are very low and poverty is very rampant. Concequently, most parents dweling in these slums may not be able to educate their children and some of them drop out of school. It follows that such young men and women cannot be able to secure good jobs to earn a decent living and the only alternative is to engage in criminal activities.

Study shows that there is a low incidence of housing and population densities in both the industrial areas as well as the Central Business District (CBD). There are about five residential areas in Nairobi with different levels of social mix as well as population density. These areas include: Kibera slum to the west and Mathare valley located east of Nairobi city forms the largest unplanned urban settlements in Nairobi. These areas have a staggering population density of up to 2,500 individual per single hectare by the year 2002. These areas and other informal urban settlements in Nairobi are characterized by unrestrained, unplanned settlements which are mainly formed by people with low income. Most of these settlements are located close to the Central Business District (CBD). Service provision in these areas is very poor and accommodation problems are very high.

Important needs by slum dwellers in Nairobi

Source: Adopted  from Malombe (2004), pg. 11

Another area with high population is Eastlands. It is located east of the Central Business District (CBD) and densely populated as well as low income. By the year 2002, the area had 100_600 individuals per hectare. Langata and Karen located southeast and south of Nairobi city respectively, comprises of low-density residential areas and high-income earners.  Generally, the houses in these areas are large with paddocks and gardens. These areas also accommodate several mid income estates mainly occupied by civil servants.

Nairobi south, parklands, and Eastleigh are areas occupied by medium income individual and by the year 2002, the population density was 60- 80 individuals per hectare. Most of the people in these areas own the houses that they reside. The fifth and last residential area is upper Nairobi. This area is located north and west of the Central Business District (CBD). The area is occupied by   individuals with high income and it has very low population density (4-45 individuals per hectare). The area comprises of residential areas such as Kilimani, Muthaiga, Kileleshwa, Bernard, and Lavington to mention but a few.

Conclusion

Indeed the population density of Nairobi city has increases rapidly in the last two decades. The greatest contributor to this population increase has been immigration particularly from the central province of Kenya which borders the city has been the primary source of growth of Nairobi. Other sources of immigration have been western, Eastern, and Nyanza provinces of the country.  Natural growth and boundary changes are other factors have also contributed to population growth in the Nairobi. In the last twenty years, Nairobi city has encountered several problems ranging from poor governance of the city by the Nairobi City Council, emerging unplanned urban settlements, ailments, poverty, and increase in the rate of crime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Government of Kenya (2001) Economic Survey Government Printers, Nairobi

Obudho, RA (2002) “The Role of Metropolitan Nairobi in Spatial Planning in Kenya; Towards a Planning Alternative” AfricanUrban Quarterly Vol 7 No 1 & 2, February 2002.

Obudho, R., and Aduwo (2002) “The Nature of the Urbanisation Process and Urbanism in the     City of Nairobi, Kenya African Urban Quarterly Vol7 No 1 & 2, February 2002.

Malombe, JM (2004) “The Role of Dandora Site and Service Project in Providing Housing the      Nairobi Residents” AfricanUrban Quarterly, Volume 7, Numbers 1&2 (pp196-202)

Situma, F. (1992). “The Environmental Problems in the City of Nairobi” African Urban     Quarterly, Volume 3,  Number 4 & 5 pp (220-230)

 

Syagga, M ., &  Malombe, J. (1995) Development of Informal Housing in Kenya Case Studies of   Nairobi city. Nairobi: University of Nairobi.

 

 

 

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