Kibera AfricaAfrica’s Largest Slum

Kibera, Kenya• Africa’s 2nd largest slum (Soweto

in Johannesburg, South Africa)• 3rd largest slum in the world

(Dharavi, Mumbai India)• Kibra forest/jungle in Nubian

Kibera - History• Est. 1918 British 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 – 2km2 • 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 50-500 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