Dagoretti : claiming land and space in the city

The essay examines Dagoretti's transformation in three key moments: Generational Land Ownership: After the Mau Mau uprising, African families, including Mr. N's, were allocated land in Dagoretti. Over three generations, the family's transition from squatters to legal landholders reflects increasing stability and permanence. The second is Rental Income and Demolitions: Informal rental housing has been crucial in Dagoretti, but these structures often face demolition for not meeting city building codes. Despite this, informal settlements persist, highlighting the struggle for space in Nairobi's growing urban landscape. The last moment is the Shift from Agriculture to Residential Use: As Dagoretti urbanized, land values rose, and pressure to sell increased. The tension between maintaining cultural heritage and adapting to urbanization reflects the area’s ongoing transformation and identity struggle.