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Constraints on Neighbourhood Activism: Experiences with Services Upgrading in Nakuru, Kenya

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  • Johan Post

    (Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130, Amsterdam, 1018 VZ, The Netherlands, j.post@uva.nl)

  • Samson Mwangi

    (Department of Sociology, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya, mwokabi@yahoo.com)

Abstract

This paper tries to explain why community action and partnering in services upgrading in Nakuru, Kenya, has only produced very modest results. Although inhabitants feel connected to their neighbourhood, they do not automatically translate their attachment into concrete action to improve liveability. This is due to a range of reasons, including competing loyalties of citizens, antagonism between local leaders, pervasive influence of patronage and cronyism, chronic weaknesses of local government and tendencies of CBOs to become more exclusionary. These findings somewhat temper the general optimism in the Habitat literature about the potentials of communities in spurring local development processes. Nakuru is a good place to investigate this issue since it is often portrayed as an example of best practice in local-government—community interaction, especially because of its commitment to the LA-21 process.

Suggested Citation

  • Johan Post & Samson Mwangi, 2009. "Constraints on Neighbourhood Activism: Experiences with Services Upgrading in Nakuru, Kenya," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 46(3), pages 665-686, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:46:y:2009:i:3:p:665-686
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098008101000
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    References listed on IDEAS

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