Urban crime and violence is a development limitation, which disintegrates the assets of the poor and affects their livelihood security and well-being. Notwithstanding the rising attention of urban crime and violence, the society is faced with an essential contradiction. Socio-economic violence in Kibera in Kenya is becoming a significant issue in terms of socio-economic development. Despite the fact that a lot has been done to address this problem, the level of violence in informal settlement areas is escalating thus affecting lives of inhabitants. The study examined how contours of urban violence affect human security in Kibera informal settlement area. In a targeted population of 270,400 people living in Kibera, the study selected a sample size of 151 participants using a stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire. The study found out that urban violence significantly affects elements of human security in Kibera although at different levels and manifest through different mechanisms. Simple regression results revealed that urban violence has a positive influence on human security, with gang-related (p =.000) form of UV having a significant and positive influence on human. Data was collected from the residents, Community and religious leaders, Community Health Volunteers (CHV’s), CSOs and Government security officers (police) working in Kiera. The collected data was then coded, cleaned and analysed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The analysis involved both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Quantitative results were examined using descriptive statistics such as percentages and supported by inferential analysis, while qualitative results were interpreted through thematic analysis based on the study objectives. The findings were presented using tables and charts to provide clarity and facilitate comparison.The findings of this study showed that livelihoods are affected negatively due to violence. The study observed that government efforts are an effective measure in addressing human security issues in informal settlement areas especially in Kibera and that there was a need for sharing information amongst various stakeholders and communities living in Kibera. The study recommends that for the Kenyan state and government to enhance human security, interventions must go beyond crime prevention to address the gang-related drivers of violence. This includes reforming urban governance, investing in inclusive infrastructure, promoting gender equity, and strengthening local accountability systems. Only by addressing the root causes of exclusion can a sustainable model of peace and security be realized in urban informal settlements like Kibera. The Kenyan State and government should adopt a multi-sectoral approach of addressing urban violence, focusing on gang-related drivers. Keywords: Contours of Urban Violence, Human Security, Informal Settlement, Kenya
Arua Ochieng Denis Kodhe (Wed,) studied this question.