A Nakuru based urban population and health researcher says the high rate of violence and crime in urban informal settlement areas is motivated by poverty.
Addressing community workers and residents of Ponda Mali slum area in Nakuru town during a charity event yesterday, Prof Francis Dondoo said most reported violence cases including crime, community and domestic related are caused by high poverty levels in informal settlements in the country.
“The problem of violence in informal settlements is caused by high poverty levels which is prevalent. This also highly contributes to poor health standards in such settlement areas,” observed the professor.
Prof Dondoo, a lead researcher with the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) observed that majority of slum dwellers were poor and encountered tough socio-economic conditions which caused just the sort of stress that highly contributes to violence.
He said that violent incidences were a great health hazard to informal settlements populations in urban areas.
The professor is leading a group of researchers on a pilot urban research initiative in Nakuru.
He urged the government and stakeholders to plan and gear towards eliminating poverty and poor health in informal settlements in urban areas.
This, he said, could be done by putting in place sustainable policies on violent crimes, domestic violence, community health and counselling.
He encouraged the establishment of community poverty eradication initiatives and better education standards programs.