Poor Housing Linked to Spread of Infectious Diseases

Health experts in Kenya warn that inadequate housing conditions in low-income settlements are creating fertile ground for infectious diseases. Overcrowded rooms, poor ventilation, and substandard construction materials make informal settlements especially vulnerable to airborne infections such as tuberculosis and respiratory illnesses Meanwhile, lack of access to clean water and safe sanitation in these areas is fueling waterborne outbreaks like cholera and diarrhoeal diseases.
A study focused on Korogocho, one of Nairobi’s large slums, found that nearly 45% of primary care visits were for respiratory infections, while abdominal diseases (often tied to poor water and sanitation) accounted for 13%. Poor waste disposal, lack of garbage collection, and unhygienic living spaces also attract disease-carrying vectors such as rodents and cockroaches, further increasing health risks.
The situation isn’t just about physical infrastructure. Legal insecurity — where many residents live in informal housing without proper land tenure — means limited access to services and higher disease vulnerability, according to public health research. In overcrowded homes, communicable diseases also spread more easily due to shared living spaces and poor environmental control.
Addressing this public health challenge will require a multi-pronged approach: upgrading housing in informal settlements, improving sanitation and waste management, and ensuring essential services like clean water. Experts argue that without better living conditions, efforts to control infectious diseases will always face an uphill battle.