The colonial roots of inequality: access to water in urban East Africa

Abstract

While water access is a major concern for all residents in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, the difficulty of hauling water is particularly pronounced in the informal settlements that are significant portions of both cities. This is an inequality that has only recently begun to be recognized as an injustice between rich and poor. Rooted in the segregation of colonial rule, it is sustained by the continuing injustice of land policies and the multiple complications involved with upgrading urban settlements.

Keywords:

• informal settlements
• community-based organizations
• injustice
• inequality
• delegated management
• segregation