Strategies Used By South Sudanese Migrants In Adapting To The New Way Of Life In Nakuru Municipality, Nakuru County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

This study explored the strategies used by South Sudanese migrants in adapting to the new way of life in Nakuru municipality, Kenya. Migration is part of human life and involves peoples’ movement from one place to another depending on many factors that include resource distribution and the opportunities that some areas in the world present compared to other areas. As a result of the conflict in Sudan, 1983-2005, South Sudanese migrated to Kenya for fear of political persecution, human rights violation, social, economic and cultural abuses as well as to search for a better way of life. However, South Sudanese who migrated to Kenya have no access to all types of assets and basic livelihoods means including rights to land ownership and housing. It is against this background that the study attempted to explore and understand how South Sudanese migrants managed to settle in Nakuru municipality. The objectives of the study were: first, to explore social strategies used by South Sudanese migrants in adapting to the new way of life in Nakuru municipality; second, to examine the economic strategies used by South Sudanese migrants in adapting to the new way of life in Nakuru municipality and third, to evaluate the challenges facing South Sudanese migrants in adapting to the new way of life in Nakuru municipality. This study was guided by one theory and a model; Cultural Ecological Theory and Multiple Livelihood Model. This study was conducted in Nakuru municipality. Descriptive research design was applied. It had a sample size of 110 respondents recruited through snowball sampling. Data was collected by the use of both interview schedules and focus group discussions. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and then reported in percentages, tables, pie charts and excerpts. This study revealed social strategies namely language ability, mode of communication, network of friends and residence consideration contributed to a sense of home in adapting to the new way of life in Nakuru municipality. This study also revealed that the money received in form of remittances from relatives and friends was used to support the household daily needs and services for their well-being. It was also revealed that challenges in many host countries, migrants suffer from the absence of civil, social, and economic rights including freedom of movement and residence in adapting to the new of life. As a result, this study recommends a holistic approach of integration to enable South Sudanese migrants to become, socially, economically and politically active citizens in Kenya. It was also expected that the findings of this study would make significant contributions to policy, literature and understanding of socio-cultural and economic factors in adapting to the new way of life.