Sego slum is located between State House Road and Jakaya Kikwete Road in Nairobi.
The informal settlement sits on three and a half acres of land near State House, where various Heads of State have resided since independence.
Sego was named after a famous entertainment joint in the area known as Chego.
Before 2000, it was part of the vast Kilimani area, but due to the population boom necessitated by the cropping up of informal houses, the residents demanded a unique demographic recognition.
The land on which the Sego area sits is believed to have been bought from white settlers by a family which moved to Nairobi from Nyeri.
They solely owned the land until they met stiff resistance from some residents looking for a place to settle. The family from Nyeri reportedly surrendered part of the area.
Among the challenges they faced was arson, with reports alleging that the residents burnt down some of their property.
With urban development pressure and demand for cheap homes, the area started developing, and even the population increased.
Business people relocated into the area to offer affordable supplies to residents in Kilimani, Hurlingham and along Dennis Pritt Road.
The population boom in Sego was also attributed to water availability and reliable power supply, among other facilities and infrastructure.
Due to its proximity to the State House, security greatly contributed to the mushrooming of informal homes in the Sego area.
According to traders, some of the frequent customers include casual labourers from the State House and others working in the neighbouring upper market estate.
However, the area started picking up in early 2010, allowing developers to set up permanent structures, including apartments which are changing its face.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
