For millions of Kenyans living in informal settlements, life is not defined by comfort or security but by daily negotiation with hardship. Overcrowded iron-sheet structures, open drains, unreliable electricity connections and constant fear of eviction shape their reality. Yet beyond the statistics and political rhetoric lies a simple moral question: Do the people who build our cities, clean our offices, teach our children and guard our homes not deserve to live in dignity?
To speak of dignity in housing is to speak of more than four walls and a roof. It is about safety, sanitation, privacy and stability. It is about waking up in a home that protects rather than exposes you to danger. It is about children doing homework under proper lighting instead of smoky tin lamps. It is about mothers cooking in ventilated kitchens instead of cramped corners where smoke suffocates entire families.
Informal settlements such as Kibera and Mathare in Nairobi are often described using statistics – population density, poverty rates, and unemployment levels. But statistics rarely capture the emotional toll of living in spaces where sewage flows near doorsteps and where fire outbreaks can wipe out hundreds of homes within hours. In such environments, dignity becomes fragile.
The absence of proper infrastructure compounds the challenge. Narrow pathways make it nearly impossible for emergency vehicles to access homes. In the event of a medical crisis, precious minutes are lost navigating congested alleys. During heavy rains, flooding destroys property and spreads disease. For families who already struggle financially, each disaster pushes them further into despair.
Housing, therefore, is not merely a development issue; it is a human rights issue. A decent home anchors stability. When families have secure tenure – assurance that they will not be evicted overnight – they can plan their futures with confidence. Parents can invest in small businesses. Children can attend school consistently. Savings can be directed toward long-term goals instead of emergency relocation costs.
Living with dignity also transforms mental health. Constant uncertainty breeds stress and anxiety. The fear of demolition or rent hikes can destabilise entire households. In contrast, affordable, secure housing fosters psychological safety. It nurtures hope. It reinforces the belief that one’s hard work leads somewhere meaningful.
Critics of large-scale housing programmes often focus on financing models and political undertones. These concerns are valid and must be addressed transparently. However, the central purpose must not be lost: providing dignified living conditions for citizens who have, for too long, been marginalised by poor urban planning.
Dignity in housing means access to clean water and sanitation. It means private, hygienic toilets, not communal facilities shared by dozens of households. It means proper drainage systems that prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases. It means reliable electricity connections that reduce reliance on dangerous, illegal wiring.
It also means proper road networks within residential areas. Roads are not luxuries; they are lifelines. They allow ambulances, fire engines and security services to respond swiftly. They enable economic activity, connecting residents to workplaces and markets. Planned housing developments incorporate these essentials from the beginning rather than improvising them later.
Importantly, dignified housing reshapes social identity. For many informal settlement residents, stigma is an everyday burden. A postal address associated with a slum can influence employment opportunities and social perception. When families move into organised, well-planned communities, that stigma diminishes. They become recognised not as squatters or tenants in temporary shacks but as homeowners or legitimate residents of structured neighbourhoods.
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Children are perhaps the greatest beneficiaries. A stable home environment enhances academic performance. Adequate space allows for study and rest. Safe playgrounds promote healthy development. Exposure to orderly surroundings shapes aspirations. A child who grows up in a planned community is more likely to envision a structured future.
Furthermore, dignified housing stimulates economic growth. Construction creates jobs. Ownership builds equity. As families settle into secure homes, they invest in local enterprises — shops, services, transport. The multiplier effect strengthens the broader economy.
Yet dignity must not be understood as charity. It is not about handouts. It is about creating pathways for citizens to access affordable housing through fair financing, transparent allocation and accountable implementation. When people contribute toward owning their homes, they develop a sense of pride and responsibility in maintaining them.
Urbanisation in Kenya is accelerating. Without deliberate planning, informal settlements will continue expanding. The solution cannot be eviction without alternatives. Nor can it be neglected. It must be structured development that integrates housing, infrastructure and economic opportunity.
The conversation about housing must therefore rise above partisan divides. At its heart lies a fundamental principle: every Kenyan deserves to live in conditions that affirm their humanity.
A decent home restores self-respect. It strengthens families. It supports children’s education. It improves public health. It enhances security. It promotes economic productivity.
To say that people in the slums should live in dignity is to affirm that development must include those at the margins. It is to recognise that housing is not a privilege reserved for a few but a foundation upon which stable societies are built.
When we invest in dignified housing, we invest in safer cities, stronger communities and a more equitable nation. And that is not merely a policy choice – it is a moral obligation.
By Ashford Kimani
Ashford teaches English and Literature in Gatundu North Sub-county and serves as Dean of Studies.
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