The fascinating history of how Kibera, Mathare and Mukuru got their names

A child walks along a road in Mathare informal settlement. [Getty Images]

By Melissa Wanjiru-Mwita, Lecturer.

In Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, it is estimated that over 70% of the population live in informal settlements. Many of these have a history rooted in colonial policies whereby the “African native” was a temporary resident of the city. Africans could only live in the city as registered labourers.