Social capital undergirds coping strategies: evidence from two informal settlements in Nairobi

Abstract

Understanding the nature and scope of existing social capital is essential to building the resilience of people living in vulnerable urban settings. This paper explores the question of how aid organisations can better utilise social capital to build the resilience of communities in slums. It specifically examines the relationship between social capital and urban vulnerability. The study used a mixed-methods approach to understand the diverse perspectives of social capital and uncover relationships that exist between social capital, absorptive and adaptive coping strategies in Kibera and Kawangware slums in Nairobi, Kenya. The findings show that coping is not a community or a societal issue; people living in slums resort to either absorptive or adaptive coping strategies or a combination of both due to the precariousness of livelihoods in such contexts. Measures of bonding, bridging, and linking social capital in slums are significantly associated with adaptive coping strategies. Families that had more dependents, were taking care of ill members or that had no regular source of income were more likely to resort to withdrawing children from school, begging, selling assets, amongst others. Livelihood studies overlook critical aspects of social capital such as bridges and linkages, which are essential for building the transformative capacities of slum dwellers. Therefore, aid actors should focus on social capital if they are to build the capacities of people living in slums. More attention should be given to the role of local organisations and initiatives in establishing bridges and linkages so as not to undermine communities’ existing capacities and resource base.

The influence of an agricultural intervention on social capital and water insecurity coping strategies: Qualitative evidence from female smallholder farmers living with HIV in western Kenya

“…For instance, evidence suggests that individuals might share community water resources within their social networks to meet water needs [ [46] , [47] , [48] ]. Several studies have demonstrated the significance of social capital on livelihoods and health outcomes [ [49] , [50] , [51] ]. Our study contributes to this body of work by demonstrating how livelihood interventions might, in turn, enhance or strengthen social capital.…”

“…Resource reciprocity is a common coping strategy for meeting basic needs among poor households,. [ 51 , 55 , 56 ]. For example, poor rural families in Ethiopia gather and share meals by reducing their portions to ensure that no one goes hungry [ 57 ].…”

The Changing Balance in Households amidst the Shocks of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Kamukunji village, Eldoret, Kenya

“…This link between state social welfare system and social capital in the community is often overlooked (Rothstein and Stolle 2003). Mpanje at al. (2022) demonstrate the significance of social capital as a household coping strategy of vulnerable urban households.…”

“…According to Wesonga, the national government's COVID-19 emergency programmes have only benefited the community leaders and their families, which has led to mistrust and divisiveness. Mpanje et al (2022) argue that government and donor programmes should be used to reinforce community social capital through utilization of community structures for proper and fair targeting of beneficiaries. This would create trust and community cohesiveness.…”