Research Project (Ongoing)

Youths in Nairobi Slums: Socio-economic Isolation, Discrimination and the Impact of Intergroup Income-Generating Activities

In Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, there are several informal settlements, or slums, made up of informal residents who have come to reside in such areas over time. While these areas occupy only a small portion of the city's total land area, some reports say that more than one million people live in them. These areas face many socioeconomic problems, including high unemployment, poverty, poor sanitation, lack of education, and high levels of crime and violence. Young people living in these areas face not only prejudice and discrimination from other citizens, cases of police harassment involving slum youths are also reported.

This research project aims to identify the social challenges faced by young people in such areas and to examine the relationship between these challenges and the risk of criminalization and escalation of violence. It will also explore how the few income-generating opportunities and difficult inter-group interactions affect their economic and social conditions in these settlements. In addition to qualitative research through in-depth interviews with the slum residents and other stakeholders, quantitative studies using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be conducted. By combining different research methodologies in this way, the research project aims to provide multifaceted insights and policy proposals related to solving these challenges.