EMERGING TRENDS SHAPING GROWTH OF INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS AT KWA BULO, MOMBASA COUNTY

Abstract

The rapid urban growth experienced by Kenya alongside developing countries has caused informal settlements to spread toward metropolitan areas' edges. These settlements exist without proper infrastructure and basic services which create major economic as well as social problems. The authors conduct an investigation of Kwa Bulo's Mombasa County informal settlement evolution and analyze its factors including urbanization and employment patterns alongside social beliefs and state initiatives. A mixed methodology was employed to study 280 participants whose sample number was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. The research relied on questionnaire alongside interviews and participant observation to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data analysis took place through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic analysis handled the qualitative data assessment. The research findings indicate that 52% of the development of slums is attributable to urbanization based on land price appreciation, industrialization, and migration. Unemployment is contributing to 73% growth in settlement with a high correlation (R = 0.81) between job insecurity and dependency on slums. The study also found that informal economic activities, such as street vending, serve as key coping mechanisms for residents facing employment challenges. Public perception emerged as a significant factor influencing informal settlement development. Negative stereotypes and social stigma (M = 4.85) have reinforced marginalization, limiting Government action and resource allocation. Government intervention was found to have a limited impact due to poor policy implementation, financial barriers, and inadequate access to social housing. While respondents acknowledged efforts to improve tenure security (72% agreed), the actual impact remains low due to weak enforcement. Additionally, financial constraints and high lending rates have hindered residents from upgrading their housing or transitioning to formal settlements. The study concludes that informal settlement growth in Kwa Bulo is driven by a complex interaction of economic, social, and policy factors. It recommends urban planning reforms, job creation programs, improved public awareness, secure land tenure, and enhanced financial accessibility as key strategies for sustainable informal settlement management. These findings add to the current research by highlighting the importance of public perception and government policy gaps in driving informal settlement patterns in Mombasa County.