ZEF CPC Colloquium: Displacement, Land Politics and Power Dynamics: The Making of 'Somali Enclaves' in Nairobi’s Pumwani-Majengo

November 20, 2024 | 11:00 h - 12:00 h

The group of Cultural and Political Change (CPC) invites you to a ZEF colloquium. 

Topic: Displacement, Land Politics and Power Dynamics: The Making of 'Somali Enclaves' in Nairobi’s Pumwani-Majengo

Speaker: Valentine Opanga, ZEF CPC Junior Researcher

Join via Zoom: https://uni-bonn.zoom-x.de/j/67718315929?pwd=3ePn412eeEr09nLHT8MyOaawExN00m.1

Abstract:  We examine the complex processes influencing the conception, appropriation, and implementation of green spaces within Nairobi's informal settlements, particularly in the Pumwani-Majengo area, amidst conflicting interests among various stakeholders. Our findings indicate that the area’s land is highly contested, leading to significant displacement of original residents due to aggressive land grabbing, driven in part by the interests of the Somali Business Community (SBC). This community wields substantial financial resources and navigates both formal and informal land tenure systems, often undermining the rights of long-standing inhabitants and exacerbating socio-economic inequalities. The SBC's strategies, including the development of high-end commercial and residential properties and restrictive rental practices, prioritize short-term economic gain over sustainable development, transforming the area into exclusive enclaves and contributing to the neglect of vital green spaces. Furthermore, our analysis highlights the detrimental effects of market-driven land use changes and corrupt practices on community cohesion, cultural identity, and access to essential resources. As these dynamics continue to unfold, they threaten not only the livelihoods of residents but also the preservation of their cultural heritage. We underscore the complex interplay between economic power, land politics, cultural identity, and environmental governance, raising critical questions about whether the real estate investments and land acquisition strategies of the SBC are aimed at securing a stable position in Nairobi's urban landscape while simultaneously asserting their often-questioned identity, albeit at the expense of public goods like green spaces. This study underscores the critical importance of understanding the socio-political consequences of displacement and enclavization in shaping the future landscape of Pumwani-Majengo and similar informal settlements in Nairobi.

Valentine Opanga is a junior researcher at the University of Bonn's Center for Development Research (ZEF) CPC. Her research focuses on the political ecology and governance of green spaces in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya, examining the intersection of urban development, climate action, natural resource governance, and environmental justice, particularly within urban informal settlements.