M (2002) Forced Evictions in Kenyan Cities

1993:np) forced eviction is: the involuntary removal of persons from their homes or land, directly or indirectly attributable to the State. It entails the effective elimination of the possibility of an individual or group living in a particular house, residence or place, and the assisted (in the case of resettlement) or unassisted (without resettlement) movement of evicted persons or groups to other areas. Specifically, unlike other forms of displacement, forced evictions: require direct or indirect state involvement; involve the use of force; are normally planned rather than random; and can be targeted at individuals or groups. Therefore, evictions due to non-payment of “legitimate” rent or destruction of rental property are generally not considered a violation of human rights such as the right to housing. This paper begins with a brief literature review on forced evictions, before moving on to look at the development and socioeconomic contributions of informal settlements in Kenya, and the practice of evictions in Kenya, in terms of causes, effects, community responses and possible alternatives. The analysis relies on secondary data, especially from Kenya’s leading newspapers that have extensivel