Green Hills, Blue Cities

Urban population trends, Kenya and Nairobi

The majority of the urban population in Nairobi live in poverty and in slums. A 2004 report estimated that 44 per cent of Nairobi’s population lived below the poverty line (SID 2004) while about 30 per cent is living in slums. 5 Nairobi has over 200 slum settlements with inadequate access to safe water and sanitation. The four largest slum settlements in the city are Kibera, Mukuru Kwa Njenga , Mathare (GOK 2010) and Korogocho.

15 Million inhabitants

Total urban population

12

9

6

3

Nairobi population

Figure 4: As the total urban population of Kenya continues to grow, the capital of Nairobi still harbours the largest share of the country’s urban population. Source: Kenya Population Census, various years. 1948 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2009 0

Figure 5: Satellite overview of Nairobi indicating locations of slums in red (Tibaijuka 2009).

WATER SUPPLY

of the water supply chain on ecosystem health. In line with the 2002 Water Act, the provision of water in Nairobi is undertaken by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) under contract from the Athi Water Services Board. The company has divided Nairobi into six regions and the water network into four corridors to facilitate water better distribution. SOURCES OF WATER The major sources of water for Nairobi are rivers whose sources are in the Aberdare range. The Aberdare ecosystem is

LEGISLATIVE AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS The Water Act (2002) provides an improved legislative framework for effective management, conservation, use and control of water resources. It regulates and manages water supply and sewerage services. For both services and management, national and regional boards have been established and are responsible for regulation and supervision. This institutional set-up as provided for under the Water Act examines issues related to water abstraction, treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment and disposal, and impacts

5. There is no official figure on Nairobi’s total slum population.

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