When Urban Growth Collides with Inequality
Mombasa, one of Kenya’s oldest and most iconic cities, is grappling with a problem that plagues many rapidly urbanizing areas: informal settlements. Known for its historical richness and vibrant coastal life, Mombasa harbors a troubling reality—nearly 60% of its population lives in slums. These densely populated areas, often ignored in development plans, face severe deficiencies in water, sanitation, waste management, and healthcare. But there is hope, as a growing alliance of NGOs, donors, and academia work to transform these forgotten spaces into resilient, healthier communities.
In a recent webinar organized by the School of Education and Social Sciences at St. Paul’s University, experts and development practitioners came together to shed light on the critical challenges facing informal settlements in Mombasa and to highlight transformative solutions that are already making a difference.
The Gravity of the Situation in Mombasa’s Slums
Urbanization Without Infrastructure
Mombasa’s informal settlements, such as Bangladesh, Mikindani, and Kaa Chonjo, emerged due to rapid urbanization and a chronic housing shortage. Many residents, in search of employment, find themselves in overcrowded neighborhoods lacking basic services. The settlement of Bangladesh, for example, has grown exponentially—from just 5,000 residents in 2012 to over 30,000 today. This growth, unfortunately, has not been matched with equivalent investment in infrastructure.
Water and Sanitation Woes
A major concern in these settlements is access to clean water and sanitation. The city relies heavily on external water sources, including Baricho in Kilifi and Mzima Springs in Taita Taveta. Yet, supply remains grossly inadequate. In settlements like Bangladesh, residents pay as much as KES 5 to 7 per jerrycan of water, depending on scarcity, and face health risks from saline or contaminated water sources.
Sanitation paints an even bleaker picture. With only 20–25% of the city connected to formal sewer systems, the majority rely on pit latrines, septic tanks, or open defecation. In Bangladesh, there are no sewer lines at all, leading to a high prevalence of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.
Waste Management: A Crisis in Itself
Mombasa’s waste management systems are woefully underdeveloped. Many residents, particularly in informal settlements, have no access to regular garbage collection. With the Kibokoni dumpsite overstretched and other disposal sites contested or inadequate, residents often resort to burning waste or illegal dumping. The result? Blocked drainage, environmental degradation, and widespread disease.
These problems are compounded by a lack of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and investment in waste-to-energy innovations. However, the discussion during the webinar hinted at growing interest in piloting new approaches to solid waste management that integrate local communities as active economic participants.
How Development Experts Are Making a Difference
Maji Na Ufanisi: Over 28 Years of Impact
One key organization highlighted in the webinar was Maji na Ufanisi , a Kenyan public benefits organization with nearly three decades of experience in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector. Maji has been instrumental in bridging the gap between development theory and community-based implementation. Their projects operate on three pillars: urban and rural WASH, research and advocacy, and climate adaptation.
Maji na Ufansi doesn’t work alone. Through collaborative models, they’ve built impactful partnerships with national and county governments, international NGOs, and, most notably, local community-based organizations (CBOs).
A Model Project in Bangladesh Settlement
Maji na Ufanisi, in partnership with the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta (Hungary Helps), implemented a successful sanitation facility in the Bangladesh settlement. This was not just a toilet block—it became the first ever piped water connection in the area. Operated by the Bangladesh Community Development CBO, the facility offered clean toilets, showers, and reliable water at affordable rates.
The project demonstrated several critical success factors:
- Community Ownership: By training the CBO in bookkeeping, maintenance, and facility management, the initiative empowered locals and ensured sustainability.
- Economic Empowerment: The sanitation facility became a micro-enterprise, generating income and jobs.
- Public Health Benefits: Cases of waterborne diseases reduced significantly after the project.
- Social Upliftment: Hygiene and sanitation improvements directly improved quality of life and educational outcomes, especially for women and children.
The Power of Triangular Partnerships: Academia, NGOs, and Donors
A key takeaway from the webinar was the power of collaboration between three pillars of development: academia, implementers, and donors.
Academia’s Untapped Role
Academic institutions such as St. Paul’s University can play a crucial role in documenting, evaluating, and refining development models. Students and faculty can assist in research, third-party monitoring, and impact assessment, thereby ensuring that lessons from field projects are recorded and disseminated. This symbiotic relationship also provides students with real-world exposure and makes learning more experiential.
NGOs as Laboratories of Innovation
Organizations like Maji na Ufanisi serve as living laboratories where development theories are tested. However, as pointed out by consultant Omeno Suji, NGOs often lack the time or resources for robust documentation. This is where academia can help fill the gap—ensuring that successful models are shared and scaled.
Donors Who Do More Than Fund
Hungary Helps exemplifies a donor that goes beyond writing checks. They are actively involved in project design, field visits, capacity building, and impact documentation. Their approach ensures accountability, responsiveness to community needs, and alignment with broader development goals.
Beyond Infrastructure: The Invisible Yet Vital Aspects
The webinar also revealed a deeper understanding—that infrastructure alone isn’t enough. Training, empowerment, and continuous learning are vital. As Dr. Rachel of Hungary Helps noted, empowerment through knowledge is often more lasting than brick-and-mortar investments.
In their latest initiative in Bombo, a young informal settlement adjacent to Bangladesh, Maji na Ufanisi and Hungary Helps are now focusing on children with disabilities. More than 200 children with special needs have been identified, and a specialized education and WASH program is being designed. This illustrates how one intervention (water and sanitation) can spark others (inclusive education and disability support).
Charting the Way Forward: Recommendations
- Strengthen Academia–NGO Linkages: Universities should embed field-based practicums, internships, and community outreach into their programs, making them more responsive to real-world challenges.
- Document and Disseminate Learnings: NGOs and donors must prioritize documentation and publish case studies, impact reports, and policy briefs.
- Invest in Scalable Models: Projects like the Bangladesh sanitation facility show that small, well-executed initiatives can scale with the right support.
- Policy Advocacy: Experts must continue pushing for updates to Kenya’s Water Act and stronger financing frameworks at both county and national levels.
- Leverage PPPs: Public-private partnerships, especially in waste-to-energy and sanitation services, could transform the service landscape in informal settlements.
From Margins to Models
The story of Mombasa’s informal settlements is a sobering one—but not without hope. As the Bangladesh project has shown, meaningful change is possible when communities, development practitioners, and academics come together. Through mutual learning, innovative partnerships, and an unwavering focus on dignity and sustainability, Mombasa’s most vulnerable communities can be transformed from neglected margins into resilient, thriving neighborhoods.
FAQs
1. What are informal settlements and why are they prevalent in Mombasa?
Informal settlements are densely populated urban areas where residents lack secure land tenure and access to basic services like water, sanitation, and waste management. In Mombasa, rapid urbanization and a shortage of affordable housing have led to over 60% of the population living in such settlements.
2. Which informal settlements are most affected in Mombasa?
Major informal settlements include Bangladesh, Mikindani, Kaa Chonjo, Mikindani, and Mtopanga. Bangladesh is one of the largest, with over 30,000 residents, and lacks sewer systems, clean water, and waste disposal services.
3. What are the major health risks associated with these settlements?
Due to poor sanitation and contaminated water, residents face high rates of cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, malaria, and other waterborne diseases. Open defecation and clogged drainage systems increase exposure to these health hazards.
4. Who are the key organizations involved in improving living conditions in these areas?
Key players include Majin Alfaisi (a local NGO), Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta, and community-based organizations (CBOs). They work collaboratively on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) projects and community empowerment initiatives.
5. What is the Bangladesh sanitation facility and why is it important?
The Bangladesh sanitation facility is a community-managed center offering clean toilets, showers, and piped water. It was the first of its kind in the area and represents a model for sustainable, community-led infrastructure that improves health and economic conditions.
6. How are community members involved in these development projects?
Through training, employment, and ownership, local CBOs operate and maintain facilities. This approach ensures sustainability, empowers residents, and fosters a sense of pride and accountability.
7. What role do universities play in addressing informal settlement challenges?
Universities like St. Paul’s University contribute by offering research, third-party monitoring, and student internships. They help document project outcomes and connect theory with practical fieldwork for real-world impact.
8. Are public-private partnerships (PPPs) being considered for solutions?
Yes. There’s growing interest in PPP models, particularly for waste-to-energy initiatives. These would allow communities to participate in waste collection and energy generation while solving environmental and economic problems.
9. What challenges do NGOs face when implementing these projects?
NGOs often struggle with limited funding, lack of time for documentation, and navigating policy gaps between national and county governments. Partnerships with academia and donors help bridge these gaps.
