The Impact of Environmental Security on Sustainable Livelihoods in Informal Urban Settlements in Kenya: Case Study of Mukuru Slum in Nairobi County, Kenya.
Abstract
Environmental security is among pertinent issues of human security. It plays a significant
role in as far as sustainable livelihoods in informal urban settlements is concerned. In some
of the developing states in the global south, significant milestones have been made in
environmental protection boosting security. However in Sub-Saharan Africa,
environmental insecurity in informal urban settlements remain a major problem that require
urgent attention for the region to experience sustainable development. In Mukuru Slum,
Nairobi, environmental insecurity concerns are characterized with flooding risks during
short and long rains, drought and water scarcity, air and water pollution, poorly handled
waste, clogged sewer lines and drainages. The research was guided by the quest to address
these issues hence questions; to what extent does environmental security affect sustainable
livelihoods in Kenya’s informal urban settlements? What is the role of national institutions
and policies in the provision of environmental security for sustainable livelihoods in
informal urban settlements in Kenya? What is the government’s response to effects of
environmental security issues on sustainable livelihoods in Mukuru slum, in Nairobi? All
these informed the general and specific objectives of the study. The researcher used
Sustainable Livelihood Approach and Environmental Scarcity Theory whose tenets guided
the study to the end. Qualitative Research Method was used with case study design. The
researcher employed purposive sampling in identifying and selecting the respondents
whereby semi-structured interview guides were used to collect data. The findings
established as hypothesized, environmental security has an influence on sustainable
livelihoods, it recommends integrated strategies by the government and all the relevant
stakeholders in the area to minimize environmental hazards hindering sustainable
livelihoods in slums across Kenya.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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