Self-Help Groups in Nairobi: Welfare Strategies or Alternative Work Organizations?

Abstract

Nairobi1 is one of the most unequal cities in the world. It has been described as ‘a paradox’ (Dafe, 2009: 5), ‘a city under constant de(re)composition’ (Katumanga, 2005: 518), and a place where ‘the North and the South live a few yards from each other’ (Floris, 2006: 19). Looking at Kenya’s capital through Google maps or other satellite reconnaissance gives us a clear idea of the city’s disparities. The western high ground – the old colonial settlements – consists of affluent residential estates of detached houses with green gardens, while the eastern side appears as a vast stretch of overcrowded shanty houses. The city has ‘about 60% of its population currently living in informal settlements but occupying only 5% of the residential area’ (Dafe, 2009: 16). Urban density varies enormously among the 360 inhabitants per square kilometre of Karen estate, and the 80,000 inhabitants of some parts of Kibera – a density comparable to cattle free lots (Davis, 2006: 95).