Settlements In Kenya Research Articles

The Role of Youth Groups in Community Peace Building: Case of Amani Kibra and Kibera Hamlets in Kibra Informal Settlements, Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the role of youth groups in community peacebuilding, focusing on the Amani Kibera and Kibera Hamlets groups within Kibra's informal settlements in Kenya. Methodology: Anchored on Paul Lederach’s Conflict Transformation Framework, the study employed a mixed-methods approach, involving 40 respondents from Kibera Hamlets and 35 from Amani Kibera, selected through purposive and cluster sampling. Data collection included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and structured questionnaires. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed, while quantitative data were processed using SPSS Version 28. Findings: Findings indicate that youth groups primarily focus on "Mentoring and Empowerment" (27.8%) and "Arts and Creative Expression" (26.9%), but encounter challenges such as resource limitations and socio-political instability, leading to ineffective support from religious institutions, government agencies, and NGOs. The study concludes that youth groups are essential for addressing community challenges and recommends expanding arts initiatives, improving resources, and using online platforms to enhance peacebuilding in Kibera. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study uniquely contributes to theory, policy, and practice in informal settlements by offering actionable, context-specific recommendations grounded in empirical evidence. It provides valuable insights into how innovative collaboration fosters trust and social capital, serving as an important resource for policymakers.

Gendered socio-economic and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among adults living in selected informal settlements in Kenya: an intersectional analysis.

COVID-19 pandemic had devastating socio-economic and health effects, including mental health. This study examines the intersectionality between gender and mental health outcomes among Kenyan adults in informal settlements of Nairobi, Kisumu, and Kilifi Counties during the COVID-19 crisis. This is necessary to inform mental health response in case of another pandemic. We analyzed data collected in a longitudinal survey between July 2020 (fourth round) and February 2021 (fifth round). The data covered COVID-19-related effects on job loss, food insecurity, access to health services, and mental health. Participants were randomly sampled from existing cohorts at the Population Council. The outcomes of interest were depressive and anxiety disorders, combined into a binary composite outcome variable. Descriptive statistics included means for continuous variables and frequencies and proportions for categorical variables. Chi-square tests were used to examine the differences between groups. The relationship between the gendered COVID-19 socio-economic effects and participants' mental health was examined using modified Poisson regression. A total of 4,050 participants were interviewed, 66% female and median age 38 [interquartile range (IQR): 29-46]. Complete income loss was strongly associated with negative mental health outcomes in multiple intersections with varied magnitudes. The association was larger among older females (≥50 years) (PR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.17-1.51, p < 0.001) than older males (PR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.17-1.27, p < 0.001). Partial loss of income was protective against negative mental health outcomes among young males (18-29 years) (PR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.76-0.87, p < 0.001) but linked to negative outcomes among middle-aged males (30-49 years old) (PR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.12-1.16, p < 0.001). Skipping meals was associated with negative mental health outcomes for both genders particularly the married (married male: PR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.22-1.83, p < 0.001; married female: PR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.26-1.60, p < 0.001). We observed significant gender differences in the prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the importance of socio-economic factors and health services access in shaping mental health outcomes. Interventions targeting pandemic-related mental health issues should be gender-sensitive and address economic vulnerabilities such as job losses and food insecurity. Policies to mitigate these effects, especially for at-risk groups are crucial for reducing mental health burden in future crises.

Persuasive Communication Factors and Their Effect on COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Amongst Residents of the Informal Urban Settlement in Kenya

Despite the immense resources and intensified interventions by the government and the international community, the desired uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in Kenya has not been commendable. Hesitancy toward the COVID-19 vaccine remains high among the Kenyan population. Misconception and negative publicity have widely affected vaccine uptake. Since the vaccine is now readily available in the country’s private and public health facilities, it is critical to convince those hesitant to take it. Persuasive communication plays a critical role in the messaging framework during a public health crisis. They mostly rely on various communication channels, communication sources, and messaging structures to convey the public health message at different levels and to various targets. Given the expansive information environment, we sought to characterize the use of persuasive communication factors for COVID-19 vaccine information and determine their effect on vaccine acceptance. This study evaluated persuasive communication factors and their effect on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among residents of informal urban settlements in Kenya. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in the informal urban settlement of Kibera. Data was collected using a structured pretested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Demographic variables were analyzed and presented using means and proportions. The results indicated that trustworthiness/expertise (β = 0.175, p = 0.001), attractiveness/likability (β = 0.120, p = 0.009), and familiarity/similarity (β = 0.165, p = 0.001) significantly affected the likelihood of vaccine acceptance. Message factors such as factual/logical appeals (β = 0.829, p = 0.000) significantly and positively affected the likelihood of vaccination. Channel factors such as interactivity (β = 0.439, p = 0.000) and decidability (β = 0.287, p = 0.019) significantly positively affected the likelihood of vaccination. The study found that trustworthiness/expertise, attractiveness/likability, familiarity/similarity, factual/logical appeals, interactivity, and decidability significantly affect vaccine acceptance. These findings can inform policymakers, public health professionals, and communication experts on effective communication strategies to enhance vaccine uptake in informal urban settlements.

Permissive Space and Policing Practices in Mathare and Kaptembwo, Kenya

ABSTRACT In this article, I analyse how different policing actors project their power and sovereignty in two informal settlements in Kenya: Mathare and Kaptembwo. Using the idea of permissive space, I unpack how power, relationships, and sovereignty issues are negotiated through everyday policing practices and repetitive public performances. I interrogate how the police, community policing bodies, boda boda (motorcycle taxi) riders, men and women, and young people interacted in different spaces of impunity as they exercised sovereignty. I show how they draw on historical claims to power negotiated over time that entitled them with authority over particular issues, such as carrying out street violence on suspected criminals. As a result, I establish how legitimacy and sovereignty are negotiated, contested, constructed, and reconstructed. We can only understand these dynamics if one looks at how actors negotiate their relationships with the state and each other.

Policy andpractices shaping the delivery ofhealth services to pregnant adolescents ininformal urban settlements inKenya.

In Kenya, the pregnancy rate of 15% among adolescents aged 15-19 years is alarmingly high. Adolescent girls living in informal urban settlements are exposed to rapid socio-economic transitions and multiple intersecting health risks and may be particularly disadvantaged in accessing sexual reproductive health services. Understanding vulnerabilities and service-seeking behaviours from different perspectives is important in order to support the development and implementation of progressive policies and services that meet adolescents' unique needs within urban informal settlements. This study explored policy makers, community health service providers' and community members' perceptions of access to, and delivery of, sexual reproductive health services for pregnant adolescents in one informal urban settlement in Nairobi. We employed qualitative methods with respondents throughout the health system, purposively sampled by gender and diversity of roles. We conducted focus group discussions with community members (n = 2 female-only; n = 2 male-only), key informant interviews with policy makers (n = 8), traditional birth attendants (n = 12), community health volunteers (CHVs) (n = 11), a nutritionist (n = 1), social workers (n = 2) and clinical officers (n = 2). We analysed the data using thematic analysis. Government policies and strategies on sexual and reproductive health for adolescents exist in Kenya and there are examples of innovative and inclusive practice within facilities. Key factors that support the provision of services to pregnant adolescents include devolved governance, and effective collaboration and partnerships, including with CHVs. However, inadequate financing and medical supplies, human resource shortages and stigmatizing attitudes from health providers and communities, mean that pregnant adolescents from informal urban settlements often miss out on critical services. The provision of quality, youth-friendly reproductive health services for this group requires policies and practice that seek to achieve reproductive justice through centring the needs and realities of pregnant adolescents, acknowledging the complex and intersecting social inequities they face.

Influence of School Physical Facilities on Academic Self-Concept in Informal Settlements in Kenya

The school environment plays a crucial role in shaping the academic self-concept of primary school learners. This study aimed to assess the influence of school physical facilities on the development of academic self-concept among the 9,536 primary school pupils in Kibra Sub-County, Nairobi. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory provided the underpinning for this research. Employing a descriptive survey design, data was collected from a sample of 385 respondents selected through stratified and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires were used for learners in Class VII, while interviews were conducted with 35 head teachers and 35 teacher-counsellors. The study revealed that academic self-concept among pupils in informal settlement primary schools is adversely affected by inadequate physical facilities. Statistical analysis using SPSS 23 showed a Pearson's Product Moment Correlation coefficient (r = 0.728; p &lt; 0.05) at the 0.05 level of significance, demonstrating a high degree of internal dependability in the collected data. In conclusion, the study highlights the detrimental impact of inadequate school physical facilities on the academic self-concept of learners in informal settlement primary schools. The findings offer valuable insights for the Ministry of Education to enhance the learning environment and enforce policies to create a child-friendly school environment.

Market system strategies: Antecedents to financial uptake among women-owned MSMEs in informal settlements in Kenya

Despite the effort to increase financial inclusion, women-owned Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) continue to face challenges in the uptake of financial services. Low financial uptake is strongly associated with business failure leading to low income and living standards among women entrepreneurs in marginalized areas. Market system strategies are crucial in determining businesses' level of financial uptake. The study investigated the effect of market system strategies on the financial uptake of women-owned MSMEs in the informal settlement of Nyeri County. Specifically, it investigated the effect of business readiness, financial literacy, investor relationships, and investment impact on financial uptake among women-owned MSMEs. The study variables were anchored on Ricky Griffin's model, Theory of Change, and Refinancing theory. The study used a descriptive research design, specifically a cross-sectional design. The target population was 890 women-owned MSMEs in the informal settlements of Nyeri county. Proportionate stratified and random sampling were used to obtain a sample of 275 businesses representing approximately 30% of the study population. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. A pilot test was conducted using ten individuals to test and improve the study questionnaire Reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha, where an alpha of 0.7 was the acceptable threshold. Regression analyses indicated that the market system strategies, business readiness, financial literacy, impact investment, and investor relationship positively and significantly affected financial uptake, with p-values lower than 0.05 alpha. The study found that businesses with better market system strategies have a higher financial uptake. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that policies and interventions aimed at improving financial uptake among women-owned MSMEs should focus on enhancing business readiness and financial literacy and building strong impact investment and investor relationships. The county government, NGOs, and others interested stakeholders should encourage women entrepreneurs in informal settlements of Nyeri county to seek training and support to develop their business skills and increase their understanding of financial uptake. Furthermore, the county and national governments should connect women-owned MSMEs with impact investors and establish relationships to provide funding, support, and mentorship. Finally, policymakers and stakeholders in the financial sector should consider creating an enabling environment that supports and incentivizes impact investment in MSMEs, especially those owned by women, to increase their financial uptake.

Sanitation-related violence against women in informal settlements in Kenya: a quantitative analysis.

Approximately 3.6 billion people around the world do not have access to safe sanitation options. Those lacking access are not only at risk of diarrheal disease, other tropical diseases, and parasitic infections, they are at greater risk of experiencing violence, particularly women and girls. The burden of lack of access to safe sanitation is disproportionately experienced by women in informal settlements in lower- and middle-income countries, where violence rates tend to be higher and access to sanitation lower. Women lacking access to safe toilets often have to walk long distances to access a facility or open site or use shared toilet facilities, which increase their vulnerability to violence. We explore the prevalence and multilevel factors associated with women's experiences, observations, and exposure to stories about past-year sanitation-related violence in a probability sample of 550 women in a large informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regressions. Findings suggest that social/community engagement and social/cultural beliefs are important considerations for hearing about and observing sanitation-related violence, but less so experiences of sanitation-related violence. Alternatively, individual-level and technological factors may be critical factors in actual experiences of violence. Sanitation-related violence and creating an environment of safety in which women can take care of their sanitation-related needs in ways that also protect them, their families, and their communities is critical for meeting sanitation-related development agendas and goals such as Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030.

Effect of Credit Terms on Financial Inclusion Among Self-help Group Financing in Informal Settlements in Kenya: A Case Study of Kibera Slum

Financial inclusion is a vital element of growth in any economy. It has led to the economic growth of 15 OECD and 50 non-OECD countries. Despite its relevance, the optimal rates of financial inclusion in Kenya have not been achieved. The wide gap between financial inclusion among the lowest wealth quintile at 12.67% in comparison to the rates of financial inclusion of the highest wealth quintile at 76.4% in 2021 is a huge cause of concern. Lower rates of financial inclusion among the less privileged have translated to high poverty rates, lower living standards and hampered economic growth. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of credit terms on financial inclusion among self-help group financing in informal settlements in Kenya, a case study of Kibera slum. The study was founded on the demand theory and the rational choice theory, to bring to light the relationship between credit terms and financial inclusion in informal settlements in Kenya. A descriptive research design was used and the 237 registered self-help groups in Kibera slum formed the population of the study and were studied in their entirety. The data was collected using a questionnaire and analysed using SPSSv25 then presented in form of tables and figures. Descriptive statistics was performed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Inferential statistics was conducted using the regression model to test the hypotheses of the study. The study established that credit terms had a positive significant effect on financial inclusion among self-help group financing in informal settlements in Kenya. According to the leaders of the self-help groups, the more favourable the credit terms offered in self-help groups, the wider the adoption of financial services by the members of the self-help groups. This study therefore recommends that financial service providers should offer financial services with credit terms tailored to suit the needs of their target market to increase affordability of financial services, thereby increasing financial inclusion.

Developing an intervention to improve the quality of childcare centers in resource-poor urban settings: a mixed methods study in Nairobi, Kenya.

Globally, 350 million under-5s do not have adequate childcare. This may damage their health and development and undermine societal and economic development. Rapid urbanization is changing patterns of work, social structures, and gender norms. Parents, mainly mothers, work long hours for insecure daily wages. To respond to increasing demand, childcare centers have sprung up in informal settlements. However, there is currently little or no support to ensure they provide safe, nurturing care accessible to low-income families. Here, we present the process of co-designing an intervention, delivered by local government community health teams to improve the quality of childcare centers and ultimately the health and development of under-5 children in informal settlements in Kenya. This mixed methods study started with a rapid mapping of the location and basic characteristics of all childcare centers in two informal settlements in Nairobi. Qualitative interviews were conducted with parents and grandparents (n = 44), childcare providers, and community health teams (n = 44). A series of 7 co-design workshops with representatives from government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community health teams, and childcare providers were held to design the intervention. Questionnaires to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community health volunteers (n = 22) and childcare center providers (n = 66) were conducted. In total, 129 childcare centers were identified -55 in Korogocho and 77 in Viwandani. School-based providers dominated in Korogocho (73%) while home-based centers were prevalent in Viwandani (53%). All centers reported minimal support from any organization (19% supported) and this was particularly low among home-based (9%) and center-based (14%) providers. Home-based center providers were the least likely to be trained in early childhood development (20%), hence the co-designed intervention focused on supporting these centers. All co-design stakeholders agreed that with further training, community health volunteers were well placed to support these informal centers. Findings showed that given the context of informal settlements, support for strengthening management within the centers in addition to the core domains of WHO's Nurturing Care Framework was required as a key component of the intervention. Implementing a co-design process embedded within existing community health systems and drawing on the lived experiences of childcare providers and parents in informal settlements facilitated the development of an intervention with the potential for scalability and sustainability. Such interventions are urgently needed as the number of home-based and small center-based informal childcare centers is growing rapidly to meet the demand; yet, they receive little support to improve quality and are largely unregulated. Childcare providers, and government and community health teams were able to co-design an intervention delivered within current public community health structures to support centers in improving nurturing care. Further research on the effectiveness and sustainability of support to private and informal childcare centers in the context of low-income urban neighborhoods is needed.

The role of fathers and care-giving arrangements in informal settlements in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Quality childcare has been associated with multiple long-term benefits for children including improved school readiness, better educational outcomes and improved health and productivity. Evidence suggests that returns on investment are much higher when targeted at the youngest children, especially during the first 1,000 days. Despite the evidence and the ever-increasing need and potential benefits, investments made so far to make high-quality childcare accessible to the neediest families are not commensurate. It is estimated that nearly 350 million eligible pre-primary school-age children have no access to quality childcare, especially in low-and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to establish the role of fathers and the childcare arrangements in selected urban informal settlements in Kenya and Ethiopia. A mixed methods design was adopted with quantitative data being collected using a structured household questionnaire administered to 635 mothers of children of 0-3 years from both countries. In both countries, data was collected from three vulnerable communities namely urban informal settlements, large commercial agricultural settlements associated with flower farms, and female penal institutions where women with young children below 4 years old are incarcerated. Quantitative data was not collected from the penal institutions because during the time of the study (at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic), access to members of the public including researchers was restricted and so here only qualitative data was collected. The data reported in this article therefore does not include data from penal institutions. Findings show that fathers played a major role in childcare according to 74% of respondents in Kenya and 57.7% in Ethiopia. This involvement is mainly defined in terms of providing financial support for basic needs for the family and child and for accessing health care. Some fathers were found to be either minimally involved or not involved at all. Key reasons advanced for minimal engagement included fathers having either left home permanently, had another family, was working far from home or was working long hours. Findings regarding care arrangements established that significant proportions of children had been left behind without adult supervision. Neighbors and siblings younger than 18 years provided most of the alternative care. House helps also accounted for 20.3% of care in Ethiopia with none being registered for Kenya. Daycare services only accounted for 13.4% of care in Kenya and 6.3% in Ethiopia, respectively. The findings revealed that fathers are fairly involved in childcare even mainly through providing necessary resources. Significantly high proportions of children were left under the care of their underage siblings leading to questions of the safety of these children. Parents and guardians in these settlements had access to a mix of care arrangements including both unpaid and paid neighbors, toddler's siblings and in limited cases, daycare services. The low levels of utilization of daycare services indicate either limited services or inability to pay for the same. It is recommended that governments consider investing in childcare services in informal settlements.

Refugee settlements are highly exposed to extreme weather conditions.

Involuntary displacement from conflict and other causes leads to clustering of refugees and internally displaced people, often in long-term settlements. Within refugee-hosting countries, refugee settlements are frequently located in isolated and remote areas, characterized by poor-quality land and harsh climatic conditions. Yet, the exposure of refugee settlements to climatic events is underresearched. In this article, we study the exposure of the 20 largest refugee settlements worldwide to extreme variations in climatic conditions. The analysis integrates exposure of camp locations compared to the national trends for both slow- and rapid-onset events and includes descriptive statistics, signal-to-noise analyses, and trend analyses. Our findings show that most refugee settlements included face relatively high exposure to slow-onset events, including high temperatures (for settlements in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan, and Uganda), low temperatures (in the case of Jordan and Pakistan), and low levels of rainfall (in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda) compared to national averages. Our findings for rapid-onset events-heatwaves, coldwaves, and extreme rainfall-are less conclusive compared to country trends, although we find relatively high exposure to extreme rainfall in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Our analyses confirm that refugee populations are exposed to extreme weather conditions postdisplacement, which, in combination with their sociopolitical exclusion, poses a threat to well-being and increased marginalization. Our findings call for an inclusive and integrated approach, including refugees and their host communities, in designing climate adaptation and sustainable development policies, in order to promote equitable sustainable development pathways in refugee-hosting countries.

Assessing disease risk perceptions of wild meat in savanna borderland settlements in Kenya and Tanzania

Wild meat hunting and trade across African savannas is widespread. We interviewed 299 people in rural settlements along the Kenya-Tanzania border to examine impacts of COVID-19 on wild meat consumption and perceptions about wild meat activities associated with zoonotic disease risks. Education level played a key part in understanding COVID-19 transmission. Information about the pandemic was mostly acquired from the media. Nearly all respondents recognized that COVID-19 originated in China. As many as 70% reported no impact of COVID-19 on wild meat consumption; some believed that there was an increase. Over half of the respondents believed that consumption of wild meat leads to food-borne illnesses. Respondents recognized disease risks such as anthrax and brucellosis and accepted that people slaughtering and handling wild meat with open cuts were at greater risk. Ungulates were the most consumed animals, followed by birds, rodents, and shrews. Respondents perceived that hyenas, monkeys, donkeys, and snakes were riskier to eat. More than 90% of the respondents understood that handwashing with soap reduces risks of disease transmission. Country level (11 answers), education and gender (three answers each) and household economy (158 answers) were significant. Country differences were linked to differences in nature legislation; 50% of Kenyan respondents believed that wild meat should not be sold because of conservation concerns. Men were more worried about getting COVID-19 from live animals and perceived that wildlife should not be sold because of conservation reasons. Overall, there was a very strong inclination to stop buying wild meat if other meats were less expensive. Our results allow us to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wild meat-related activities. Differences between countries can frame the attitudes to wild meat since wild meat trade and consumption were found to be country specific.

Assessing and Supporting Mental Health Outcomes Among Adolescents in Urban Informal Settlements in Kenya and Uganda

IntroductionMental health problems among adolescents have been on the rise particularly among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to impoverished living conditions and a high burden of chronic diseases including HIV/AIDs. COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the risk and placed additional stress on adolescents’ mental health. While the burden might be high, there are fewer mental health services in the region.ObjectivesTo evaluate the psychological and mental well-being of adolescents living in and co co-design with civil society organizations (CSOs) interventions aimed at enhancing mental health and psychosocial well-being.MethodsFirstly, we conducted a formative phase to assess the burden of various mental health problems in Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in which we assessed the mental health status of 1541 adolescents using standardized tools. The participants comprised in and out of school adolescents, adolescents with disability, and those living with HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, we undertook a qualitative study through FGDs and KIIs to identify the factors contributing to mental health problems.Secondly, we aim to adapt interventions that seek to promote mental health. Finally, we aim to implement effective mental health interventions targeting over 2000 adolescents living in Kenya’ informal settlements.ResultsWe found the prevalence of depression to be higher among out-of-school adolescents at 36.0% compared to school-going adolescents at 20.6%. Furthermore, out-of-school adolescents had statistically significantly higher anxiety scores as well at 27.7 % when compared to their school-going counterparts at 19.1%. In-school adolescents had a better quality of life scores, lower pandemic anxiety scores, and lower emotional scores compared to their out-of-school counterparts. Results from regression models indicated that being out of school, having a COVID-19 infection, having poor relationships with parents and peers, loneliness, and living in an unsafe neighborhood were factors associated with poor mental health outcomes. During the qualitative interviews, participants noted that COVID- 19 brought about financial stress, joblessness, led to early pregnancies, involvement in commercial sex work by adolescents, school dropouts, lead to stress, and depression among other issues.Image 3:Conclusions Adolescents, especially those out of school are at a high risk of poor mental health outcomes due to exposure to a host of psychosocial risk factors. We have identified two interventions that we are keen to implement: the Shamiri Wellness Intervention (https://www.shamiri.institute/the-shamiri-intervention) and the Mental Health Literacy Programme (http://mentalhealthliteracy.org/). We hope that by working with CSOs, the study will support the development of their capacity to offer mental health services that are sustainable, and contextually appropriate.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Exploring the Types of GBV Reported in Kibera Slums and the Available Interventions

Worldwide, gender-based violence (GBV) is quite prevalent with domestic violence being voiced as the most common (WHO, 2020). The WHO states that about 35% of women in the world have had an experience once in a lifetime of either sexual and/or physical non-partner or intimate partner sexual violence (WHO, 2020). Gender-based violence is the most widespread, socially tolerated human rights violation in the world. It kills; disables and harms more people especially women. The violence can take many forms including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence (WHO, 2020). In Kenya, about 45% of women aged 15 - 49 years reported having experienced various forms of gender-based violence in their lifetime, and out of these, 29% women reported having had the experience in the previous year. Besides, 16% women had experienced sexual abuse in their lifetime, and 13% of the women had it in the previous year (KDHS, 2014). Kibera slums is one of the biggest informal settlements in Kenya and largest slum in Sub-Saharan Africa where various issues have been reported including insecurity, poor water, hygiene and sanitation, poor housing among others. Majority of its inhabitants are of very low socio-economic status. The purpose of this study was to explore the types of GBV prevalent in Kibera slums and the available interventions to address this problem. This study specific objectives were to identify the types of GBV reported by women of reproductive age in Kibera slums and to find out the types of GBV interventions offered to women of reproductive age in Kibera. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design. This used a mixed methods research where both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed. The study respected the ethical considerations in research. The results showed that women of reproductive age in Kibera slums had experienced many forms of gender-based violence. Out the 390 respondents, 34 (8.7%) had experienced physical abuse, 95 (24.4%) had experienced verbal abuse and 60(15.4%) experienced sexual harassment while 91 (23.3%) of the respondents had not experienced any type of GBV. Most survivors 147 (49.1%) of GBV had never received any interventions. Only 39 (13.1%) of the survivors of GBV had received medical treatment, 44 (14.7%) had received guidance and counselling and incorporated to a support group, only 13 (4.3%) had taken legal measures against the perpetrators. In Kibera slums, all forms of gender-based violence are still prevalent and more interventions are needed to address this public health issue with a special focus on informal settlements.

Food Environments and Their Influence on Food Choices: A Case Study in Informal Settlements in Nairobi, Kenya.

The food environments that people have access to shape their food choices. The purpose of this study was to use mixed methods to characterize the external food environment in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya and to examine the individual factors that influence the way in which women interact with those environments to make food choices. We used a combination of food environment assessments (vendor mapping, collection of food prices, food quality assessments) and five focus group discussions with women (n = 26) in four villages within two informal settlements in Nairobi (Mukuru and Kibera) to better understand the drivers of food choice. We found a large number (n = 1163) of vendors selling a variety of food within the settlements. The highest number of vendors were selling fruits and/or vegetables; however, there was limited diversity of fruits available. Animal-source foods were considered relatively expensive as compared to plant-based foods, including prepared fried snacks. We found that the way women interacted with their food environments was influenced by individual factors such as income, time, convenience, and preferences. Our findings suggest that interventions targeting both the external food environment as well as individual factors such as income will be necessary to support healthy diets among low-income populations living in informal settlements in Kenya.

The role of institutional logics during participation in urban processes and projects: Insights from a comparative analysis of upgrading fifteen informal settlements in Kenya

The academic literature largely acknowledges participation as a key condition for the successful upgrading of informal settlements. However, how individual participative actions of different actor groups and reactions of dwellers combine to influence project outcomes of upgrading processes has not been studied. This article posits that different combinations of presence or absence of collaborative interactions between dwellers and other actors will decisively predict the success and failure of projects. Specifically, we argue that interactions between different groups of implementers and dwellers are conditioned by distinctive value systems—institutional logics—, which provide specific challenges to establishing collaborative interactions with dwellers as the actors conduct their roles. We identify sufficient combinations of participative actions that may lead to successful upgrading using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) on 15 informal settlements in Kenya's secondary towns that were recently upgraded. Our findings indicate that participation has to consider a multiplicity of actors, who are guided by different logics; it has to span over the whole implementation cycle. It also has to deal reflexively with the issue of representation of the community. This extends the understanding of participation to a perspective that emphasizes the capabilities of implementers to enact collaborative relationships by bridging between their own and the community's institutional logic.

Prevalence of Substance Use and Its Association with Sociodemographic and Behavioral Factors among Women Who Conduct Sex Work in Kenya

ABSTRACT Female sex workers (FSWs) in sub-Saharan Africa are a marginalized group with an increased morbidity risk. Psychoactive substance use among this group is common and increases the risk of adverse health consequences. The type of substance used, extent, and nature of use varies with different settings and regions. We examine the use of specific psychoactive substances among FSWs residing in an urban informal settlement in Nairobi. This cross-sectional study was conducted between April and August 2017. Structured questionnaires were administered in face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were undertaken to examine prevalence, patterns, and factors associated with use of specific substances. Out of 301 FSWs, 98% reported current psychoactive substance use. The most used substance was alcohol with 95.6% of the study population reporting use in the past year. Of these, 151 (50.2%) met criteria for very high-risk drinkers. Reported current use was 61.5% for cannabis, 47.2% for khat, and 30.9% for tobacco. Factors independently associated with hazardous and harmful alcohol use included earning a higher monthly income (>USD50) and disclosure of sex work to close family and friends. There is an urgent need for preventive and curative interventions to address the high prevalence of substance use among FSW residing in high-risk urban informal settlements in Kenya.

Mobile phone access, willingness, and usage for HIV-related services among young adults living in informal urban settlements in Kenya: A cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundMobile phone-based health (mHealth) interventions have the potential to improve HIV outcomes for high-risk young adults living in informal urban settlements in Kenya. However, less is known regarding young adults’ differential access to mobile phones and their willingness and use of mobile phone technologies to access HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. This is important as young adults make up the largest demographic segment of impoverished, informal urban settlements and are disproportionately impacted by HIV. MethodsThis study used observational survey data from 350 young adults, aged 18–22, who were living informal urban settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Respondent driven sampling methods were used to recruit and enroll eligible youth. Using descriptive statistics and logistical regressions, we examined the prevalence of mobile phone access, willingness, and use for HIV services. We also assessed associated demographic characteristics in the odds of access, willingness, and use. ResultsThe mean age of participants was 19 years (±1.3). 56% were male. Mobile phone coverage, including text messaging and mobile internet, was high (>80%), but only 15% of young adults had ever used mobile phones to access HIV services. Willingness was high (65%), especially among those who had individual phone access (77%) compared to lower willingness (18%) among those who shared a phone. More educated (OR = 1.84, 95 %CI:1.14–2.97) and employed (OR = 1.70, 95 %CI:1.02 = 2.83) young adults were also more willing to use phones for HIV services. In contrast, participants living in large households (OR = 0.47, 95 %CI:0.24–0.921), were religious minorities (OR = 0.56, 95 %CI:0.32–0.99), partnered/married (OR = 0.30, 95 %CI:0.10–0.91), or female (OR = 0.29, 95 %CI:0.16–0.55) were significantly less likely to have mobile phone access or usage, limiting their potential participation in HIV-related mHealth interventions. Given the low usage of mobile phones currently for HIV services, no differences in demographic characteristics were observed. ConclusionMobile health technologies may be under-utilized in HIV services for at-risk youth. Our findings highlight the importance of preliminary, formative research regarding population differences in access, willingness, and use of mobile phones for HIV services. More efforts are needed to ensure that mHealth interventions account for potential differences in preferences for mobile phone-based HIV interventions by gender, age, religion, education, and/or employment status.

The potential for scaling up container‐based sanitation in informal settlements in Kenya

Kenya has enshrined the right to sanitation in the 2010 constitution. Achieving this requires scaling up infrastructure and models of delivery beyond sewer networks that have previously been the focus. In Kenya, two enterprises, Sanergy and Sanivation, have been providing new forms of off-grid services with container-based sanitation (CBS). This paper uses a political economy analysis to understand the incentives, institutions and power dynamics that are enabling or constraining the potential for such off-grid sanitation models. The paper outlines six core problems to be addressed in the pursuit of scaling up: fragmented governance; sustainability of CBS enterprise models; service delivery planning in informal settlements; personal power rather than institutions in decision-making; vested local interests; and land tenure and political connection. It discusses how stakeholders might work collaboratively to progressively address or recognise these issues.