Empowering urban margins: community-driven capital mobilization for land tenure security in Nairobi's Baba Dogo Informal Settlement

Abstract

In Nairobi’s informal settlements, land tenure insecurity perpetuates poverty, eviction risks, and limited service access. This study examines Baba Dogo in Ruaraka Sub-County, where undocumented claims, bureaucracy, and socio-economic vulnerabilities hinder investments. Amid rapid Sub-Saharan urbanization, community-based organizations (CBOs) mobilize financial and social capital—through savings groups, microfinance, cooperatives, and trust networks—to secure land rights. Using mixed methods (78-household survey, key informant interviews, focus groups, and secondary data), findings show 80.8% ownership claims, though 69.2% lack documentation and 98.7% perceive insecurity. CBOs improved credit access by 40% via SACCOs, secured long-term possession for 20% through Community Land Trusts, and formalized 35% of leases through Akiba Mashinani Trust. These actions averted evictions for 50% of participants and improved 45% of housing and service conditions. While limited by a small sample and single-site focus, the study advances understanding of community-led tenure strategies and supports policies integrating CBO participation and hybrid tenure models.