The Relationship between Land Markets and Land Conflicts in Nairobi

Abstract

There is a general belief that land markets are developing faster and efficiently allocating land in most emerging markets like the ones found in Africa. The reality however is that the evolution of the land market has produced serious social and economic problems coupled with other mediating factors such as corruption and ethnicity – the result of promoting land markets is generally seen to be inequity in access and ownership. The main consequence many argue is persistent land conflicts. This paper relying on data collected on four settlements in Nairobi proposes to highlight the consequences of market allocation in a society fractured by ethnicity and where pervasive corruption is the norm. It will in this respect, identify roles of the state and markets in resource allocations and their failures