Analysis of the Factors Influencing the Growth of Informal Housing in Bungoma Town, Kenya

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation has increased pressure on housing provision in many developing towns, including Bungoma Town, Kenya. This study examined the extent to which industrialisation, poverty, unemployment, and population growth influence the growth of informal housing in Bungoma Town. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Data were collected using questionnaires and interview guides from 90 household heads selected through cluster sampling and 10 purposively selected key informants. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and presented through frequencies, percentages, tables, charts, and one-sample t-tests. The findings indicate that industrialisation is associated with the expansion of informal housing because employment opportunities attract workers whose housing needs may not be met by the formal market. Poverty also influenced housing choice, as many respondents reported that limited incomes constrained their ability to obtain adequate housing. Unemployment similarly increased reliance on lower-cost informal accommodation. Population and family size were also reported to affect residential choices, particularly in densely settled areas. Respondents further perceived existing government housing programmes as inadequate for local needs. The study concludes that the growth of informal housing in Bungoma Town reflects the combined influence of employment-related urban growth, household poverty, unemployment, and demographic pressure. It recommends stronger enforcement of approved development plans, improved physical planning, and housing interventions that respond to the affordability constraints of low-income households.