Kibera - CASE STUDY

Question 1

Where is Kibera?

Answer 1

Nairobi, Kenya

Question 2

How many people in Nairobi live in slums?

Answer 2

60% of the population, over half of them in Kibera.

Question 3

How many people live in this shanty town?

Answer 3

It is believed that between 800,000 and 1 million people live in an area of 255ha.

Question 4

What are the problems in Kibera?

Answer 4

• Extremely high densities - 1 square metre of floor space each.
• 100,000 orphans dues to AIDs
• Homes made of mud, boards and corrugated iron
• Open sewers flow through streets
• High incidence of TB, HIV and AIDs
• 4/5 are unemployed

Question 5

What are the solutions to Kibera’s problems?

Answer 5

• The Kenya Slums Upgrading Programme (KenSUP) aims to replace the slums with modern, low cost houses.
• The UN provides electricity to some parts for 300 shilling, and water at 3 shillings for 20 litres.
• Practical Action has been responsible for developing low-cost roofing tiles and creating cheaper bricks.

Question 6

Social, Economic & Environmental Problems

Answer 6

-Housing consists of 1000s of makeshift shacks made of corrugated iron etc.
-Average population densities exceed 3000 persons/ha
A typical family of 7 occupies a 3m square shack
-Kibera is unplanned and lacks even basic infrastructure.