Listening to the Poor? Housing Rights in Nairobi, Kenya (revised edition)

The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), an independent, international non-governmental human rights organisation based in Geneva, then conducted a fact-finding mission in July 2004, after receiving an invitation from the Kenyan NGO Coalition on Land and Housing Rights. The mission team met with residents in the informal settlements of Kibera, Kiambiu, Mukuru kwa Njenga, Korogocho, Mitumba and Huruma. It also engaged in consultations with the Government, UN-HABITAT, civil society, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, and several experts. The report of the fact-finding mission examines the need for substantial protections against forced evictions and other abuses in the informal settlements. These protections should be in full accordance with international law. It also critically analyses the lack of recognition of informal settlements, the implementation of slum upgrading Programs, and land policies.