Thousands of Kiberans Displaced

An article came to my attention yesterday that left me discouraged and saddened. Over 5,000 people in the Soweto region of Kibera have been evicted from their homes with less than 5 days notice. The Kenya government is demolishing their homes to build new government housing. How can this happen, you ask? Kibera is not recognized by the government and therefore all the people who live there are technically living there illegally. The people of Kibera do not have the same rights as other Kenyan citizens, especially when it comes to property.

While I support the Kenyan government trying to create better living conditions for the people of Kibera, I have to think that there is a better way to go about doing it. Over 5,000 people were given 5 days to move from their homes, most with nowhere to go. Some residents didn't hear about the demolition until the bulldozers arrived. The government has provided no contingency plan for the people they have displaced. Yet again, the needs of Kiberans have been pushed to the side. The Kenyan government and aid groups often fail to listen to the actual people of Kibera and impose their own beliefs of what is best upon them.

It is easy for me to criticize and yet I, myself, do not have a solution. The one thing I can do is encourage dialogue. Dialogue and support that comes alongside the people of Kibera and does not dictate to them how they should live their lives.

For more information about what is going on in Kibera and footage on the ground check out this article from The Atlantic Cities.

KIBERA

KIBERA IS LOCATED ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF NAIROBI. IT IS HOME TO OVER 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN AN AREA THE SIZE OF CENTRAL PARK. IT IS THE LARGEST SLUM IN AFRICA AND THE SECOND LARGEST IN THE WORLD.

THERE IS A TRAIN THAT RUNS DIRECTLY THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF KIBERA. IN MANY AREAS IT IS JUST FEET AWAY FROM PEOPLE'S HOMES. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF THE TRAIN DERAILING IN THESE AREAS WITH FATAL CONSEQUENCES.

KIBERA DOES NOT HAVE RUNNING WATER OR A SEWAGE SYSTEM. TRASH AND HUMAN WASTE ARE PILED ON THE SIDE OF ROADS AND IN STREAMS. THESE UNSANITARY CONDITIONS PUT ALL KIBERANS AT HIGH RISK FOR TYPHOID, CHOLERA, DYSENTERY AND OTHER POTENTIALLY FATAL DISEASES.

FAMILIES LIVE UNSTABLE, MUD HUTS WITH CORRUGATED TIN ROOVES, THE SIZE OF A TYPICAL AMERICAN BEDROOM (SOMETIMES SMALLER). THERE IS USUALLY ONLY 1 BED PER HOME, THE CHILDREN SLEEP ON THE FLOOR.

CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 MAKE UP 50% OF KIBERA'S POPULATION.

THE KENYAN GOVERNMENT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE KIBERA. IT IS KNOWN AS AN "INFORMAL SETTLEMENT" AND THEREFORE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT AID SUCH AS EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE.