Korogocho Slum Upgrading Programme

Korogocho slum is the fourth largest slum in Nairobi. It borders the largest dumping site in Nairobi - the Dandora dumping site - posing environmental health and security risk for the residents and surrounding settlements. Conditions in Korogocho are typical of slum settlements in Nairobi. It has a large poor population with no access to minimum services, living largely in structures made out of temporary and recycled building materials. There is no proper sanitation and waste management. Water reticulation is limited and road network is inadequate.There is a struggle between structure owners and tenants over land and tenure rights. Many children do not have access to primary education. Open spaces in Korogocho are few thus limiting recreation and other forms of leisure opportunities for young people. Poor hygiene prevalent in the slum has resulted to the rapid spread of cholera, typhoid and dysentery. STD and HIV/AIDS are also widespread. Unemployment rates are high in Korogocho. In addition, increasing violence and crime in Korogocho create insecurity, reinforcing social and ethnic tensions and undermine social cohesion in the slum. The programme will have immediate and long term impact on Korogocho population. Immediate service provision will address the acute inadequacies in the settlement while providing a long-term and sustainable living environment. The provision of secure tenure will start addressing the poor conditions of the population as it guarantees stability in the settlement.