THE NAIROBI LINKING AND LEARNING EXCHANGE VISITS ON LAND, HOUSING AND EVICTION CAMPAIGN.

  

Community Networks namely; Muungano Wa Wanavijiji; The Youth Congress, Nairobi People’s Settlement network and Kutoka Network supported by Hakijamii and one of its donors, KIOS held a linking and learning exchange visit on land, housing and eviction campaign in Nairobi at St. Joseph Catholic Church Sinai on 1^st November 2011.

Security of tenure has for many years been taken for granted by successive governments resulting in endemic cases of forced evictions especially of the urban poor. Forced evictions in Kenya have been used as a way of oppressing and often result into violations of a number of human rights. It is for these reasons that the need for a strong national grassroots movement to stop the practice is a key component of Hakijamii’s advocacy work.

Through sharing and learning grassroots urban advocacy groups are able to forge sustainable solidarity and build a strong constituency that is able to compel policy makers to respond to their needs.  The exchange visit enabled the community groups to share their experiences and deliberate on the way forward on the issues of forced evictions and other human rights violations linked to the right to adequate housing in their respective regions. The meeting attracted media coverage and the deliberations were aired by KTN TV during its 9 pm news on the same day. Through such activities community voices and concerns are given wider visibility and their rights get recognition in the national political debates.

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