Kigali is experiencing rapid urbanisation, like most cities in developing countries, leading to an increase in the urban population and rapid growth in the size and
number of informal settlements. More than 60% of the city’s population resides in these
settlements. This is where they experience inadequate and poor quality urban services including sanitation. This article discusses the issues and constraints related to the provision of sustainable sanitation in the informal settlements in Kigali. Two informal settlements (Gatsata and Kimisagara) were selected for the study, which used a mixed method approach for data collection. The research found that residents experienced multiple problems because of poor sanitation and that the main barrier to improved sanitation was cost. Findings from this study can be used by the city authorities in the planning of effective sanitation intervention strategies for communities in informal settlements.
