Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

The aim of this paper is threefold: (1) to characterize Old Bondeni in terms of its demography and social organization in anticipation of a later discussion of the social structure of an established, urban-centred Muslim-dominated area, a significant kind of social nucleus in the development of Kenyan towns; (2) to make more generally available this information in the hopes that it might prove of interest to officials or groups locally who are interested in the redevelopment of Old Bondeni and to others, planners or students of urban development to add to the small stock of such cases for comparison and study; and (3) to discuss in general terms the utility of such surveys, conducted for very specific administrative or bureaucratic purposes, for social researchers.