The Status and Challenges of Universal Electricity Connectivity in Urban Informal Settlements, a Case of Silanga in Kibera Informal Settlement, Nairobi-kenya

Abstract

Access to electricity and connectivity has been a challenge facing informal settlements despite being receptors of new migrants to urban areas and cities. The electricity grid in Kibera is poorly connected, leaving many households and SMEs without formal power connectivity. The study sought to assess the status, connectivity challenges, planning interventions that could be applied towards universal connectivity in Kibera and the resultant implications of such connectivity in urban informal settlements in general. The study used open and closed ended questionnaires to interview 161 households and 150 business premises. The sample size formula was derived from Miller and Brewer (2003). Key informants were interviewed by use of key informant schedules. One Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted for the vulnerable group that included 10 youths and 10 women. The quantitative data collected was analyzed by SPSS and Excel software. The study found that 84.9% of the households had electricity compared to 79.3% of the business premises. However, the study found out that, there were two types connectivity practiced in Kibera; informal (illegal) and the formal (official). Informal connectivity was higher among the households at 6.1% compared to businesses that stood at 4.2%. The study found out that the major challenges inhibiting electricity provision in the slum include high connectivity fees and the monthly bills that many of the slum dwellers could not afford. Due to the haphazard layout of the structures there is little space left for putting up the powerline’s infrastructure. This coupled with lack of titles to land and the unresponsive neighbors has made it extremely difficult in obtaining wayleaves consents. The study recommends the government implements a subsidized slum electrification policy, mooted earlier, but abandoned due to lack of funding, to ensure universal connectivity in Kibera and other slums. Connection fees should be lowered and postpaid in installments. The government should take the opportunity of the goodwill that the locals expressed on stakeholders’ engagement in order to plan infrastructure in the slum. Demolished encroachments, as inducement, to be compensated to create powerline wayleaves trace. Stringent application rules like submission of title deeds should be done away with. It should also come up with a policy on green energy and give incentives to investors and those willing to install solar panels.