Kibra: A Century of Resilience and Diversity in Nairobi
The city of Nairobi, founded in 1899 with the construction of the Uganda Railway, had its roots in British colonial endeavors. The colonial administration initially designated Nairobi for Europeans and temporary migrant workers, implementing laws like the 1922 Vagrancy Act to segregate and limit the movement of natives and indentured workers.
Between 1900 and 1940, Nairobi's African population faced strict regulations, with designated "native reserves" at the city's outskirts. Kibera originated as a settlement when Nubian soldiers, returning from service with the King's African Rifles in 1904, were allocated land. Over time, the informal settlement grew as other tribes moved in to rent land from the Nubian landlords.
After Kenya gained independence in 1963, the government declared certain forms of housing illegal, affecting Kibera's land tenure. Despite this, people continued to live there, with landlords renting out properties to more tenants than permitted by law. By the early 1970s, the Kikuyu tribe became the dominant population in Kibera, securing administrative positions through political patronage.
Demographic changes unfolded as the Luo and Luhya tribes from the West became primary sources of internal migration by 1995. Kibera transformed into a predominantly Luo slum, while Mathare Valley nearby became a predominantly Kikuyu area. The rise of multi-party politics in Kenya heightened tensions, leading to ethnic conflicts post the 2007 re-election of President Kibaki.
The Nubian community, with a claim to over 1,100 acres, faces disputes with the government's rehousing program envisioning a much smaller land extent. Kibera's present residents represent various Kenyan ethnic backgrounds, with many coming from underdeveloped rural areas. Despite being on government-owned land, Kibera lacks basic services, schools, clinics, running water, or lavatories. This underscores the ongoing struggles faced by its diverse population in the absence of official acknowledgment and support.