Aasai

A report by the African Cities research consortium reveals that most Nairobi residents can no longer afford three daily meals due to rising food and energy prices. This has led to increased malnutrition among children in informal settlements, negatively impacting their development. While some schools are trying to promote healthy diets, school feeding programs primarily serve public primary schools, leaving out many informal schools in these areas.

 The report also highlights issues with informal service providers, like those dealing with water, sanitation, waste management, and transport, who often offer low-quality services and are allegedly protected by politicians. Finally, Nairobis rapid population growth and expansion are exacerbating the gap between the supply and demand for essential services.

Research shows that Nairobis informal service providers, particularly large-scale cartels, offer expensive and often dangerous water, sanitation, waste management, and transport services, especially in informal settlements. This is compounded by a widening gap between supply and demand due to rapid population growth and urban sprawl.

 Researchers also highlight the lack of integrated planning for land use, housing, and infrastructure, which hinders economic development and climate resilience. Experts emphasize the need for infrastructure development to consider social factors and for developers to be involved in social reorientation. Finally, the report notes that most Nairobi residents work in low-wage, informal jobs, and that high business costs, a large informal economy, and political rent-seeking create challenges for the city.