Abstract:
The process of urbanization is one of the most important dimensions of economic, social and
physical changes. It is almost a truism that the planet’s future is an urban one and that the largest
and fastest growing cities are in developing countries, Kenya is not an exception. Rapid urban
population growth means an increasing demand for urban. This land is not available within the city,
but in peri-urban areas, for various reasons. Urban growth is already engulfing the surrounding
agricultural lands and small villages. The conversion of agricultural land to residential uses is
leading to the rapid transformations in the agricultural production, spatial structure, social structure,
land ownership and land market in these areas.
This paper focuses on the responses/actions of the communities within Nairobi’s peri-urban areas
and how they manoeuvre through the consequences of changes occasioned by land conversions. It
used Town council of Karuri (TCK) as a case study. The paper based on qualitative research
approaches presents evidence on how subaltern’ actions and do-it-yourself (DIY) strategies play an
important role in creating order in an otherwise chaotic situation as a result of ‘poorly planned’
residential development. The subalterns’ actions do-it-yourself (DIY) strategies, as evidenced by
their agency, are manifested in community’s contribution and participation in provision of
infrastructure and services within the Nairobi’s peri-urban areas due to inability of formal provision
by planning authorities.
