The Mystery of Africa’s Largest Slum

Kibera is Africa’s largest urban slum, but nobody actually knows how many people live there. Official counts suggest 170,000 residents, yet other estimates soar past a million.

This massive disparity exists because the boundaries of Kibera are notoriously difficult to define. Since the area grew organically rather than through official city planning, it lacks formal infrastructure and property lines. Counting the residents remains a complex logistical challenge for the government. The difference between official census data and independent research highlights the hidden nature of many informal settlements.