Conflict Over Urban Business Space: a Case of Kenyans and Somali Refugee Entrepreneurs in Nairobi’s Central Business Districts, 1991-2020

Abstract

This project paper seeks to investigate the conflict over urban space in Nairobi‟s CBD between local entrepreneurs and Somali refugee entrepreneurs. The paper focuses on the circumstances that contribute to the conflict, consequences and the efforts taken by the central and local government to address it. Accordingly, the entry of the Somali refugee entrepreneur has produced tensions with locals because the of the unethical business practices that they utilize to outmaneuver and edge out local business people. This imbalance both in the physical business space and along the supply chains within the CBD has resulted in protests by local business entrepreneurs demanding that Somalis refugee entrepreneurs leave the commercial space. The paper also reveals that, while both the local and central governments have attempted to reduce tensions through various measures, the CBD business space has undergone massive transformation during the study period, implying that the potential for conflict remains. Therefore, more research should be conducted to better understand the effects s of Somali refugee investments in the Nairobi business environment