Intersectoral collaboration on child nutrition in informal settlements in Mombasa: a Kenyan case study

There has been a rapid increase in urban population in developing countries as a result of many factors including overall population pressure, but mainly due to centralized development priorities that have made cities the centres of politico-socio-economic activity. The resultant disparities in opportunities between rural and urban areas, as well as other historical factors have led to the rapid growth of informal settlements and slum communities in which residents experience social and economic disadvantages. Until recently, Kenya did not officially recognize the existence of informal settlements, thus these settlements were not included in urban planning and development.