Kibera Africa Africa’s Largest Slum

Kibera, Kenya Africa’s 2 nd largest slum (Soweto in Johannesburg, South Africa) 3 rd largest slum in the world (Dharavi, Mumbai India) Kibra  forest/jungle in Nubian

Kibera - History Est  British Kibera Kibera Settlement in forests outside Nairobi Nubian soldiers returning from WWI were awarded plots there  for war efforts

Kibera - History Kenya independence of 1963 housing in Kibera considered illegal by gov’t (no tenure) by 1970s landlords renting out properties to greater numbers than the law permitted

Kibera - History Kibera was affordable despite being illegal Since mid 1970’s control of Kibera in the hand of the Kikuyu (majority of population – 23%)

Kibera - Geography located in SW of Nairobi 5 km from city centre To the south Nairobi River & Nairobi Dam Kibera is divided into 13 villages

Kibera - Geography Area – 2km 2 Population 1 million No building over 1 storey and avg. house size 3m by 3m Avg. 5 people per dwelling Water & sewage minimal (1 pit latrine for people

Kibera – Physical Challenges intense overcrowding and In Soweto East—the focus of the Kibera 70,000 residents live on 52.8 acres. 2,880 structures in Soweto East are served 100 toilets, 50 baths, and no vehicular infrastructure

Kibera - Challenges

Kibera – Physical Challenges congested living conditions profoundly increase health risks and  quality of life for residents. infectious andskin diseases spread easily and food contamination is common

Kibera – Physical Challenges burn wood, charcoal and kerosene indoors for cooking and lighting, which contributes to a high incidence of upper respiratory infection and irritation Children play in roads and dump areas for lack of adequate open spaces

Kibera – Environmental Challenges limited from expanding to the south and east by the Ngong River and Nairobi Dam, and to the north and west by the rail line to Kisumu terrain is hilly and sometimes steep  complicates the building process

Kibera – Environmental Challenges Residential & commercial dumping of solid waste, human waste, medical waste, and wastewater cause perpetual degradation of the environment and water quality

Kibera – Environmental Challenges Some pit latrines are located inappropriately close to water sources, causing black water to seep into these sources, while inadequately maintained latrines negatively affect the general environment and community health.

Kibera – Environmental Challenges

Kibera – Economic Challenges ~3/4 of Kibera’s households earn less than Kenya 10,000 shillings per month (with avg. 5 people per household)  $1 per day Housing affordability major challenge to upgrade or redevelop

Kibera – Economic Challenges fees for water, sanitation,, electricity or rubbish collection may further burden households. Taxation on regularized or legally recognized land or shelter increases financial obligations