Internal displacement in Nairobi: A literature review

This review examines existing research on the issues raised by the presence of internally displaced people (IDPs) in an urban context such as that of Nairobi, Kenya. The review explores historical and present patterns of displacement in the broader context of Nairobi’s urbanisation processes. It aims to build on the current understanding of how IDPs live in the urban environment and relate with the communities around them and governance institutions, and of whether and in what ways they are more vulnerable than other urban residents. Lessons drawn from current assistance programmes to urban IDPs and other urban residents with specific vulnerabilities are also presented. The focus of the review is primarily on IDP literature, but work related to broader Nairobi’s urbanisation and migration issues and on policy and legal frameworks is also presented where relevant.