4. Politics and aid

At various points in its history, the city of Nairobi has been known as one of the most dangerous cities in eastern Africa. As one might expect, Kibera and other slums in the city have often been the epicentres of protests, rioting, and violent uprisings.

Instability breeds instability

Rioting after the failed Dec 2007 election (see BBC News article)

Most recently, prolonged rioting in Kibera caught the world's attention following the failed election of December 27, 2007. Incumbent president Mwai Kibaki had been trailing opponent Raila Odinga by a wide margin throughout the early portion of the race; however, in the final hours of the polls, Odinga's lead evaporated and Kibaki declared victory. Odinga and his supporters contested the results.

Immediately rioting ensued, largely between Luos (Odinga's tribe) and Kikuyus (Kibaki's tribe), and it was concentrated in Kibera. Daily and weekly violent protests lasted through April as the disputed election was resolved with assistance from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, resulting in a tenuous power-sharing agreement between the two men. The period of violence left approximately 800 people dead and displaced over 600,000 people from the city.

This episode of 2008 was not the first in Kibera's history. In 1992, ethnic violence broke out between Kikuyus and Kalenjins after the country's first multiparty elections. Additionally, in 2001, President Moi publicly encouraged Luos to quit paying rent to Nubian landlords; the Nubians responded violently, and the resulting clash led to numerous deaths. These are but two additional examples of how political tensions in a still-new democracy play out in a multi-tribal, densely populated area like Kibera.

Slum upgrading

Decanting site for the Soweto East pilot project (IRIN article)

After a decade or so of rediscovery of the plight of Kibera by the international community, there has been an increase in efforts to improve conditions. The most notable example is KENSUP, or the Kenya Slum Upgrading Project, which is sponsored by UN-HABITAT. Resulting from a 2000 meeting between President Moi and the UN Human Settlements Programme, KENSUP aims to improve physical structures in Kibera and other slums through a process called "slum upgrading." The program calls for the temporary relocation of residents of Kibera to adjacent "decanting sites," allowing the construction of permanent dwellings to proceed in the Kiberan villages. Work has commenced in the Soweto East village, and as of September 2009, the first decanting site was under construction.

Other aid efforts

Numerous humanitarian aid efforts are underway in Kibera, which brings hope to many that the seemingly insurmountable poverty may one day be alleviated. Various organizations focus on medical clinics, operating schools, providing jobs to women, issuing micro-loans to support entrepreneurship, leading youth sports activities, and raising awareness.

We've provided a preliminary (and growing) list of other organizations that are at work in Kibera. If you know of others that we should include in the list, please contact us.

Intro  |   Life in Kibera  |   History  |   Politics & aid