The worst places to live in Nairobi

By Cate Mukei Sunday, Nov 29th 2015 

Nairobi West

It is known for its endless bars frequented by loud, pot bellied men. J. Mwende says “I can’t help but associate bars with smelly toilets,” and adds that her greatest fear is getting married and bringing up her children in such an environment.

Eastleigh

With it’s recent security crackdowns by the government to weed out terror cells in the area, no one wants to be woken up every midnight just to confirm that they are legally Kenyans. Zeinab Mwamburi lived in Eastleigh since childhood but had to move recently due to the terror attacks. “As a woman I found this place unsuitable for me. Living in fear not knowing when to start running was not the life I wanted,”Zeinab, who now lives in Langata, said. 

The biggest threat to your security in these parts of Nairobi are gangs which include groups like Gaza Boys and other underage criminals who have a away of intimidating residents to a point they can’t even report to the police.

Agnes Munyaka, despite having lived in Kayole all her life says she still gets harassed by hostile gangs who are mostly made up of people she grew up with. “I wish I had a better source of income. I would move to a different neighborhood to avoid all this drama,” she said.

Lunga Lunga

This area is famous for rape especially of minors resulting to unwanted pregnancies. It is simply not a safe place. There have also been incidents of motorists getting carjacked at night as they approach the slums.

In June last year, police shot dead a suspect in a botched robbery in Lunga Lunga slums. In the same area, a man was shot and wounded by suspected thugs.

Kawangware (Congo)

There are two main gangs operating in the area. They are so dangerous that even authorities think thrice before setting foot in the area. The two gangs don’t see eye to eye so woe unto you if you are caught up in their fights.

Named after a war tone African nation, most people who live in the area are hardened residents who understand the ‘logistics.’

Githurai 45

The situation in Githurai 45 is so bad that when a famous cop Titus Katitu who used to kill thugs was

prosecuted for murder, residents protested for three days. They simply wanted him to continue killing the thugs.

 However, it seems the thugs are stronger than cops.

Jericho

The main problem in this estate is a high rate of unemployment that produces most hardened criminals in the city.