Contribution Of Grass Root Organizations To Community Cohesion In Urban Informal Settlements: A Case Of Kibra, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

There has been a proliferation of grassroot organizations in informal settlements as mechanisms of dealing with various socio-economic challenges, among them inter-community cohesion. However, not much is known about their contribution to community cohesion and especially in Kibra informal settlement in Kenya. This study sought to examine the nature of grassroot organizations that predisposes them as viable platforms for community cohesion, the efficacy of the strategies these organizations employ in anchoring community cohesion, the nature and extent of collaboration between grassroot organizations and government agencies in community cohesion and the challenges undermining the organizations’ efforts in attainment of community cohesion in Kibra informal settlement. The research used intergroup contact, functionalism and conflict transformation theories to explain the relationship between grassroot organizations and community cohesion. The study was built on a descriptive research design and targeted respondents drawn from 13 grassroot organizations and state agencies based in Kibra informal settlement. A sample size of 384 was obtained from the target population using Krejcie and Morgan’s formula. The researcher used stratified, simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected using key informant interviews, Focus Group Discussions and a questionnaire, whose reliability was ascertained using Cronbach’s test-retest method. The findings of the study show that grassroot organizations networks that deal with community cohesion in Kibra informal settlement significantly helped to reduce violence and create a sense of stability. The key strategies used to entrench intercommunity cohesion and which were found to be effective were sports and art, cultural exchanges and collective intergroup programmes such as environmental protection. The key indicators of effectiveness was detribalization of welfare groups and all-inclusive self-help groups. Despite the achievements observed, grassroot organizations were found to lack a proper framework of engagement with the government, especially in terms of policies and programs that support community cohesion. The study suggests that the achievement of community cohesion in Kibra informal settlement requires sustainable government support. The study therefore recommends development of a policy framework of engagement to align the strategies used by grassroot organizations with the strategic peace and social cohesion mechanisms established by state agencies. This will enable attainment of locally owned cohesion that is sustainable. It is anticipated that the study findings may benefit policy makers and practitioners in the area of peace and social cohesion, besides providing a reference base for future studies.