Improving access to justice and basic services in the informal settlements in Nairobi : an action research approach

The ‘Price Penalty’ exists where a poor person pays an above-average price per unit of the facility, product, or service. The ‘Quality Penalty’ refers to the provision of a facility, product, or service of low quality, which is still offered at a price similar to that of higher-quality. The research sheds light on the failures that lead to the creation of slum cartels, gangs and other informal institutions that expose residents of informal settlements to a double tragedy: firstly, the threat of violent evictions, insecurity and forced demolitions linked to insecure tenure; and secondly, inadequate and high-priced delivery of basic services.