Linkage Between Labour Emigration and Household Well-being in Murang’a County in Kenya

Abstract

Kenya has a net emigration rate with the main reasons for emigration being the search for jobs and education (IOM, 2018). As these migrants seek to better their lives, they also send support to their household members left behind. Labour emigrants’ contribute both in financial and social remittances. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between labour emigration and household well-being in Murang’a County. Guiding the study are two migration theories: the neoclassical theory of migration and the new economics of labour migration theories. They help with explaining the linkage between migration and socio-economic development aspects and how decisions to migrate are related to household well-being. The study adopted a qualitative approach, where interviews were conducted with heads of the household with labour emigrants in Murang’a County. Due to the geographical coverage cluster sampling was applied and then snowball sampling was used to identify the respondent due to the unique characteristic of being the head of a household with a labour emigrant. The study established that labour emigrants' support for investments was significant for the well-being of the family as it enabled the establishment of businesses for extra family income. The study further established that labour migrants' remittances enabled families to cater for school needs and ensure continuous class attendance and quality education. In regards to healthcare, responses indicated a significant relationship with family well-being in terms of affording medical services, emergency medical needs and care for terminal illnesses. The study thus concludes that labour emigrants support for investment, education and healthcare were significant in the well-being of household in Murang’a County.