Participation in upgrading programmes: the case study of Mathare 4A slum upgrading programme in Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract

This study set out to assess community participation in upgrading of Mathare 4A in Nairobi City Council. Specifically, the study investigated the factors that facilitated and those that hindered community participation. The study made use of participatory approaches, and in particular stakeholders' approach to assess community participation. The study relied on both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected from both key informants and community residents using questionnaires. Secondary data was collected from available literature on the subject of study. Primary data was processed and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Through this method, variables and frequencies were generated. The study found that community participation 111 Mathare 4A was in two forms: individual and group participation. Both personal and communal interests motivated participation of the community. Factors that motivated the community to participate were better living conditions, improved housing, infrastructure and sanitation, refund for the former structure owners, employment in the project, and good security system. In the midst of motivating factors there were challenges related to social status, literacy levels, health and environmental conditions, occupational constraints, political upheavals, mistrust and suspicion as well as ethnic cleavages. All these issues and challenges affecting the community were managed through open barazas, seminars, wet core meetings, and workshops. The study found out that these factors were entangled in competing interests of different stakeholders. The competition affected participation required for effective implementation ofthe project. The study findings show that there were a number of contentious issues in Mathare 4A. They range from ownership, allocation, rental, and leadership wrangles to ineffective community participation. Solutions to these issues have been sought through provincial administration. However, the attempts have largely been ad hoc and reactive, with little solution being attained. -- x Community representation 111 Mathare 4A does not reflect peoples' choice. This is because whenever local elections are conducted, they are Ilawed due to violence and intimidation. There is also minimal community involvement in the management or the programme. The desire or each interest group to maxirnise gains in the project have also contributed to ineffective community participation. The relationship between the community and developing agency has therefore been unstable since the skirmishes of 200 I , developing the present stalemate. The study makes a number of recommendations. It recommends efficient community representation through democratic electoral process in order to attain effective community participation. It further recommends an institutional framework that allows the entire community to be represented by individuals democratically elected. Once elected, a process that allows both forward and backward information flow has to be put in place. The institutional framework should allow effective community participation in M&E as feasibility surveys are being carried out. Finally the study recommends more in depth research on competing interests, confl ict management and resolution in upgrading, and participatory role of various stakeholders.