With the projected increases in slum population, the demand for urban upgrading interventions is expected to grow. The main aim of this study was to seek a noble effort to reduce the proliferation of informal settlements and slums. The findings of this study might be useful to the Kenyan government in providing knowledge on livelihood strategies adopted by Kibera residents after the slum upgrading program. In addition, information was provided on the extent to which the identified factors influence the occupancy levels for the government to make adjustments that will ensure high occupancy levels are reported in the future.
The study sought to evaluate the effects of livelihood strategies in slum upgrading projects on the welfare of Kibera residents. The study considered four independent variables; job opportunities, enterprise development, provision of public services, and self-help project funding.
The findings are consistent with the characteristics of slums where the majority work in informal jobs or are unemployed altogether. It was noted that the introduction of pricing schemes for water has reduced costs in the upgraded houses as compared to the slums (M=3.97, SD=0.907). It was also established that there is an increased access to education financing in the upgraded project than in the slums as shown by a mean of 4.01 and a standard deviation of 1.098.