Beneficiaries of Post-election Violence of 2007 / 2008: a Case of Kibra Informal Settlements, Nairobi. Kenya

Abstract

This study examines the actors, activities, and motivations of those in Kibra informal settlement in Nairobi's during the post-election conflict in December 2007 and January 2008. It specifically looks at those who benefited from the violence and lawlessness. Taking a political economy approach and shifting away from an emphasis on the cost of violence the study unravels specific reasons for engaging in the violence; to loot and benefit from the chaos. Through in person interviews with locals who lived during the violence the study draws findings regarding both actual gains, such as higher sales for illicit businesses, and immaterial gains, such as enhanced control space for gangs of Kibra, including what the various participants to this fight received from the pillage. Beyond the Greed and Grievance argument, the study shows the beneficiaries alongside their specific roles, and shed light on the complexities of conflict