Unveiling the Roots: Forced Evictions and the Historical Burden of Informality in Nairobi

Abstract

More than half of Nairobi’s residents call informal settlements home, yet they are under constant threat of eviction through demolition. These evictions blatantly violate the right to adequate housing while simultaneously perpetuating patterns of poverty, marginalisation and inequality. Through archival research and spatial analysis of eviction patterns, this research explores the historical roots of eviction practices in Nairobi’s informal settlements from the colonial period to the present. We argue that colonial urban planning practices established socio-spatial hierarchies that classified informal settlements as "undesirable" and created a lasting territorial stigma attached to these spaces. As a result, informal settlements are viewed negatively by authorities, becoming sites of marginalisation and disempowerment. This stigma, rooted in notions of informality as disorder and deviance, continues to influence the prevalence of eviction practices in Nairobi, hindering efforts to effectively address these settlements and prioritising displacement over integration. Drawing on a decolonial approach, we argue for a paradigm shift. Urban development must move beyond displacement and recognise the realities and potential of these dynamic settlements. By critically examining the historical production of space and its link to evictions, we can propose alternative frameworks for inclusive and equitable development that recognise the agency and contribution of informality. This research offers insights into the development of just and equitable housing policies in Nairobi and other African cities facing similar challenges.