Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

The Old Bondeni area, the former 'native location' of Nakurujwas scheduled for demolition and redevelopment some twenty years ago. Aside from demolition at the periphery carried out in the 1950s, the bulk of housing still stands. This has not been for want of administrative initiative. Bondeni represents a rare case study which permits one to consider shifts in official position and changing attitudes towards redevelopment as applied to a single community. This paper discusses the various plans and suggestions put forward over the years, the climate of opinion within officialdom which these reflected, and the reactions and expectations these initiatives aroused in the community residents.