The pushes from the countryside
- Drought
- Famine
- War
- Not enough government funding
- Not enough work
- Thinking that the city is better
Problems of living in Nairobi
- Housing problems
- Theft
- Thugs
- Car accidents
- Violence
- Sewage systems
- Unemployment
- Road problems
- No place to grow food
- Cholera and disease in the slums
Housing Problems
This is one of the major problems of living in Nairobi. There are so many immigrants that the city cannot support them. Most of the people cannot afford to buy/rent a conventional house, so they have resort to living in shanty towns. The houses are made of cardboard, corrugated iron and any other materials available.
Unemployment
Although the prospect of employment is one of the main reasons for migration to Nairobi it is in fact not a reality. There is very little employment for people coming from the country and the employment that there is is such low pay that it is not possible to support yourself or a family on it. The problem of unemployment leads to all the other problems. Without employment the people have no money so they have to live in shanty towns where the crime, facilities, violence and cleanliness are all at a much worse standard than in the rich areas.
Violence and Crime
There is a very high crime and violence rate due to lack of money and policing. There are many murders and muggings as people want money and attack those who have anything worth having. Due to the lack of policing these crimes are allowed to continue unnoticed.
Improving Life in the Shanty Towns
Loan Schemes
If people can afford it schemes have been introduced to make proper houses. This is done by future residents saving and borrowing money to buy building materials. The money is borrowed from the Housing Development Department.. The people have to work very hard to pay the rent back, this can be done by working very hard and saving everything or even renting out a room in their new house.
Sites and Services Scheme
The city council have begun to create a scheme where each family pays the council a small rent for a site connected to running water, sewerage and electricity. A good point of this is that it keeps the peoples self-esteem and does not make them feel like a charity case. Also in this scheme the rent is small enough that the people can afford it. The council are impressed with the way the scheme has gone so they are making more plots available.
Possibilities for the Future
In the long term one solution would be to improve life in the villages. This would mean bringing in services such as health care, water, transport and improving farming conditions. However this will take a long time.
