We live in a global era in which human rights ideals have taken centre stage,

both politically, socially, and economically. A substantial amount of political

effort is devoted to promoting, protecting, and emphasising the importance of
developmental rights for a better society. In recent decades, many countries
have been rapidly urbanising, and above 90% of future urban growth is
projected to occur in developing countries Historically, urbanisation has been
linked to economic development and growth. However, in Kenya, the
relationship between urbanisation and economic growth or development is
hotly debated. Urbanisation in Kenya can be traced to urban agglomeration in
the form of commercial hubs extending back to the 9th century. As many of the
metropolitan centres in Kenya were use as administrative and political control
centres by colonial authorities before independence. This has led to rapid
urbanisation in Kenya and has continued for decades. Since 1948, the number
of Kenyans living in cities has increased from 5.1 percent to 34.8 percent in
2000. Nairobi presently accounts for 45 percent of the urban population, with
194 urban centres. The growing demand for resources and infrastructure
services in the city, has increased the urban population and informal settlement.
This rise has put a strain on fundamental services including water, sanitation,
security, housing, and transportation . In Nairobi, for example, over half of the
inhabitants live in slums, with limited access to healthy food, water, hygiene,
and sanitation services. These difficulties have a substantial influence on the
development and survival of those living in slums. Nairobi, Kenya's largest
metropolis and the second-largest in the African Great Lakes region, it has a
population of more than 5 million people. Nairobi is also home to one of the
world's largest slums . Nairobi has roughly 40 slum neighbourhoods, with low-
income settlements housing nearly 60% of the city's 5 million inhabitants. The
slum of Kibera is home to roughly 300,000 of the millions of slum dwellers in
the city and is the largest in the continent. In this presentation we will discuss
about. Econdly, about the the impacts of Urban Sprawl in Kibera. We will first
take a look at the situation of Kibera slumby focusing on the evolution of the
shanty town.
To answer this problematic we will use 4 document:
the first document is an excerpt from the book written by Kennedy and Jessica
POSNER entitled Find Me Unafraid: Love, Loss, and Hope in an African Slum
published in 2016.
the second document which is also a press aritcle written by Bernardine
MuTANu published by Nation in June 2019.
The third document is a report from the dw77 percent called “From a cartel to
an NGO securing clean water for Kibera slum.
And the last but not least document which is also a report published by CGTN
Africa in 2019;
 The narrow streets of Kibera, a slum in Nairobi, Kenya, are a vivid
representation of the marginalization and hardships faced by its inhabitants.
Nairobi’s vast slums and informal settlements are, like all communities, places
where people live, work, eat, sleep and raise their children. But the residents of
informal settlements must cope with inadequate housing, little access to water,
sanitation and other basic services, and the ever-present threat of forced
eviction.
Bernardine MuTANu's press article exposes the sanitation crisis rampant in
Kibera. It vividly describes the flow of murky water from an open sewer
running through densely populated villages in the area. This contaminated
water, mixed with sewage, poses a health hazard to the residents, underscoring
the stark lack of adequate sanitation infrastructure. Moreover, the revelation that
only 50% of Nairobi's residents are covered by a sewerage system reveals the
scale of the issue, thus underscoring the insufficiency of essential services in
these marginalized areas. The longstanding view that informal settlements were
illegal meant that local authorities were not held responsible for providing
access to water and other essential services.26 In 2002, for example, a study
found that 24 per cent of slum households in Nairobi had access to piped water,
compared with 92 per cent of the rest of Nairobi. Moreover, water delivery to
the settlements may be interrupted to serve other areas of the city first. The
document shows that Kibera gets far less water than other settlements, partly
because the utility diverts water to high-income areas during periods of
shortage.
The report published by “dw77percent” reveals that nor has privatization meant
that settlement residents receive water at rates that are affordable or even
comparable to the prices paid in wealthier communities because of the cartel
who sells bad quality water at a high price the residents said that they could not
afford to buy what they need.
The consequences of this inadequate sewerage infrastructure are dire for the
residents of Kibera. Contaminated water poses significant health risks, and the
lack of proper sanitation facilities exacerbates the spread of diseases. The
situation underscores the urgent need for investment in improving sanitation
infrastructure to ensure the well-being and safety of all residents, particularly
those living in informal settlements like Kibera. The ineffective and inadequate
water delivery in slum areas needs government policy revision. For this to be
addressed, the government needs a bottom-up approach to ensure the
unreliability and inadequacy of water supply systems are solved in the slum
areas. ). For example, Nairobi's fast-growing population puts strain on existing
water supplies. In Nairobi, access to safe drinking water is inequitable. Income
influences both the environmental quality of one’s surroundings and one’s
usage of urban services,t. The most affluent groups, which represent less than
10 percent of the Nairobi population, use 30 percent of the domestic water
supply. While the less privileged in society, who make up over 64 percent of the
population in the city, consume just 35 percent of the water supply, In addition,
in slum areas “ where only 50% are covered by a sewerage system”.

The second document portrays the stark transition between the affluent
downtown area of Nairobi and the sprawling slum of Kibera. Initially, the
narrator walks amidst the towering skyscrapers of downtown Nairobi, which
gradually fade into the distance as they move away. This visual imagery
symbolizes the socio-economic distance between the wealthy and the
impoverished.
As they progress, the surroundings change drastically. Markets bustling with
activity line their path, offering a stark contrast to the orderly commerce of
downtown. The abrupt halt of the paved road signifies a shift into a less-
developed area, where buildings become more cramped and closely clustered
together. This abrupt change in infrastructure serves as a physical manifestation
of the socio-economic disparity within the city.
The density of people intensifies as they approach Kibera. The narrator finds
themselves navigating through a dense crowd, struggling to distinguish
individual faces amidst the throngs of determined individuals. This portrayal of
a bustling populace highlights the overcrowded nature of the slum and the
challenges its inhabitants face in their daily lives.
Upon reaching Kibera, the narrator paints a picture of a community
characterized by its makeshift dwellings and lack of basic amenities. Houses
constructed from corrugated metal and recycled materials are piled on top of
each other, illustrating the cramped living conditions within the slum. Garbage-
lined paths replace conventional roads, further underscoring the lack of
infrastructure and sanitation.
Despite its challenges, Kibera is depicted as a self-sustaining entity with its
own markets and shops. However, the absence of government services such as
schools, health facilities, and utilities underscores the marginalization
experienced by its residents. The staggering population estimates within the
slum, juxtaposed with its limited resources and infrastructure, emphasize the
magnitude of the socio-economic divide within Nairobi.
Amidst the backdrop of hardship and struggle depicted in Kibera, a spark of
transformation is gradually igniting, propelled by the unwavering efforts of
numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These organizations are
carving pathways toward significant improvements in the lives of Kibera's
residents, marking a hopeful shift from the dire conditions outlined in the
narratives by both Bernardine MuTANu and Kennedy ODEDE with Jessica
POSNER. Through targeted interventions and community-driven projects,
these NGOs are addressing critical issues such as access to clean water,
sanitation, healthcare, and education, laying the groundwork for a brighter
future.

The third document tells us the story of The story of Kennedy Oderde and his
NGO, Shofco, in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, serves as a powerful testament to
social transformation and perseverance in the face of daunting challenges. It
shines a light not only on the critical issues of clean water access in
underprivileged communities but also on the innovative ways individuals can
positively impact their surroundings, even against powerful opposition.
Kennedy Oderde, having grown up in the Kibera slum himself, witnessed first-
hand the devastating effects of unsafe water access. His personal experience,
marked by the struggle to access water for daily needs and the loss of neighbors
to water-related diseases, propelled him to found Shofco. The goal was
straightforward: to provide clean and affordable water to his
community.Kennedy's endeavor was not without its hurdles. The water cartels,
having established a monopoly over water supply in the slum, posed a constant
threat. They exploited the vulnerability of the residents by selling water at
exorbitant prices while eliminating any form of competition through brutal
methods, including the destruction of rival infrastructure. Kennedy had to
navigate this dangerous landscape with caution and resolve. Kennedy's strategy
to overcome these obstacles involved an unexpected approach: reaching out
and convincing members of the cartels themselves to switch sides and support
his initiative. The case of Mandevu, a former gang member and water cartel
leader who eventually agreed to work for Shofco, symbolizes a pivotal turn in
this struggle. It was a difficult and slow process, marked by distrust and
reluctance, but ultimately successful. The impact of Shofco extends far beyond
merely providing clean water. By reducing the cost of water to a fifth of its
former price and ensuring its quality through a purification system, Kennedy
and his team have not only improved the community's health but also restored
hope and dignity to its members. Shofco's success lies in its ability to turn a
desperate situation into a source of inspiration, demonstrating that even in the
harshest conditions, change is possible through innovation, collaboration, and
unwavering commitment to the community.
An another example of evolution is given by the fourth document where Mercy
Munene's journey from battling health issues to becoming a pioneer in urban
farming in Nairobi's Utawala estate encapsulates the growing trend and
potential of urban agriculture. Her venture, Shamba Connect, not only
showcases her resilience but also highlights the burgeoning interest in
sustainable living and the importance of self-sufficiency in food production
within urban settings. . Munene's initiative was not just a personal health
choice but a response to the escalating food prices, prevalent use of dangerous
pesticides, and a growing awareness among city dwellers of the benefits of
home-grown food. Shamba Connect, beyond being a personal endeavor, has
evolved into a training and consultancy hub for aspiring urban farmers.
Munene's approach, focusing on organic farming techniques and efficient space
utilization, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture. By training
others and offering consultancy services, she extends the benefits of urban
farming, including the sale of gardening inputs and the promotion of organic
pest control methods, such as using rabbit urine and intercropping with pest-
repellent plants like red pepper and onions. The societal implications of
Munene's work are profound. Urban farming, as she practices and teaches, is
not only about food production; it's about community building, education on
sustainable living, and a reconnection with the food we consume. Moreover,
urban agriculture offers a practical solution to food insecurity and the volatility
of food prices. By promoting the adoption of urban farms, whether in
backyards, balconies, or rooftops, Munene contributes to a more food-secure
future with stable food prices.