The Expectant ‘Chocolate City’ and the Unfulfilled Attainment of Safe Heavens in Kibera Informal Slums in Nairobi, County

Abstract

The rapid rise of the population in most developing countries has posed a challenge to respective governments to provide decent and quality social services to its populace as anchored in their constitutions. This increased population has superseded the existing social amenities such as houses, schools, and hospitals as planned by city planners. This has resulted in the proliferation of informal settlements, whose geographical locations are noted by a poor environment that has hostile living conditions to mankind. This paper elucidates that limited knowledge, pessimistic attitude from the locals, poor leadership, corruption, and lack of accountability are the causal factors for the continued pathetic status of Kibera slums. The paper thus concludes that if barriers that cause marginalization to the people are lifted, there is the accountability of service provision by relevant stakeholders, empowerment, and good leadership; Kibera will thrive and become one of the best places for human settlement.