Process and mechanism of land acquisition and land tenure security in informal settlements in Nairobi

Abstract

Abstract Urbanization and informal settlements are a prevalent phenomenon in most African regions; they play an important role in the real estate market and the housing supply. This study examines the process and mechanism of land acquisition and land tenure security in informal settlements in Nairobi. We found that pseudo‐customary and pseudo‐formal systems work together in land acquisition and land tenure security. The former system derives from land acquisition and land tenure security under the authority of a traditional chief in rural areas, whereas the latter refers to the modern land registration procedure and urban planning standards. To ensure land acquisition and land tenure security, people use each of these systems and sometimes combine them. Moreover this study demonstrates that these land‐related systems are closely connected to the governance structure and site layout planning.

Keywords

• informal settlement
• land acquisition
• Nairobi
• tenure security