Nairobi: Habitat for Humanity Kenya (HFHK) has released findings of a detailed housing assessment study of Mukuru Informal Settlements in Nairobi. The findings, which were unveiled at a stakeholder workshop held at a Nairobi hotel, highlight critical housing challenges affecting over half a million residents in the area.
According to Kenya News Agency, the public participation stakeholders meeting brought together policymakers, civil society organisations, community leaders, and residents to deliberate on actionable solutions to the housing challenges in the city. The challenges, including overcrowding, land tenure insecurity, substandard housing, and limited access to basic services, call for urgent, multi-sectoral interventions to improve the living conditions of affected communities.
Programs Director of Habitat for Humanity Kenya, Nixon Otieno, emphasized the need for collective action to improve housing conditions in slums. Otieno assured that HFHK is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure access to safe, decent, and adequate housing in informal areas. “HFHK is keen to promote decent, safe, and adequate housing for everyone to ensure they have a shelter,” he said.
Director of Housing for Nairobi County, Mr. Michael Kinoti, highlighted the critical need for housing in informal settlements such as Mukuru, Kibera, and Mathare. He called on the Nairobi County government to ensure the provision of adequate, habitable, and affordable housing for low-income earners in these areas. “Housing is a constitutional and a basic human right. It needs to be adequate, livable, and affordable,” Kinoti emphasized.
The study provided evidence-based recommendations to inform policy and decision-making processes, aimed at improving housing conditions and ensuring a dignified living environment for all Mukuru residents. The assessment revealed extreme overcrowding, with an estimated 527,526 to 700,000 residents living in just 2.5 square kilometres, resulting in a high population density of approximately 280,000 individuals per square kilometre.
Additionally, more than 80% of residents live in makeshift structures lacking proper foundations and insulation, and basic services are also scarce. Only 59% of households have access to potable water, while over 70% lack proper sanitation, waste management, and drainage services. Economic challenges further exacerbate the situation, with most households spending 30-50% of their monthly income on rent and having limited resources for essentials like food, education, and healthcare.
The study outlined several key recommendations, such as developing social housing programs tailored to existing challenges, improving water and sanitation services, and implementing skill development and microfinance initiatives. These measures aim to boost household incomes, enhance land tenure security, and increase access to affordable housing finance.
Program Coordinator for Youth and Governance at ActionAid Kenya, Mercy Gichengi, stated that the study’s recommendations provide practical solutions to real challenges faced in informal settlements. She urged the government to engage directly with communities and eliminate power brokers hindering access to essential services. Kerry Sikolia from the State Department for Housing and Urban Development called for a clear policy direction on rental housing for slum dwellers to enable access to the government Affordable Housing Programme.
Habitat for Humanity Kenya is dedicated to promoting decent, safe, and adequate housing, focusing on security of tenure, availability of services, affordability, habitability, accessibility, and cultural adequacy. The workshop featured testimonials from Mukuru residents and contributions from partners, including the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, Nairobi County Government, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, and key development partners like ActionAid and Kenya Land Alliance.
