Societal security and migration: a case study of the Somali migrant settlement in Eastleigh, 1990-2010

Abstract

The evolution of the analysis of security has been in favor of the broadening subject matter that constitutes the security of a person, group and state. The evolution has seen a shift from the . traditional approach of security to one that is contemporary in approach. In this contemporary approach there is the identification of human security. In the analysis of human security, societal security is the established component that seeks to protect the identity of the peoples, groups and states against threats to that identity. Through the analysis of the theories of societal security the major threat to identity is the settlement of foreigners in host communities. The threat is manifest when there is a clash of identities.

The clash of identities includes disruptions to the normal ways of the life of host citizens. Kenya as a migrant host state has had to deal with these clashes in ways that are deemed favorable and unfavorable to both the migrants and citizens. Information derived from the case study of the Somali migrant settlement in Eastleigh, 1990-2010, provides divergent views from the migrants and citizens both in authority and ordinary citizens. Analysis of the opinions show that there is indeed a security issue that Kenya has to deal with, not through the traditional approach but rather with the contemporary approach.

This contemporary approach caters for the examination of the effects of migration on societal security in Eastleigh, Kenya. In addition, the contemporary approach also caters for the analysis of the challenges of integration between Somali migrants and host communities in Eastleigh and the exploration of the theoretical linkage between migration and societal security. The information gathered in the study brings out the continuous evolution of the study of human security and most importantly, . societal security. Somali migrant issues in Kenya and host trends in Eastleigh are indicated as being both positive and negative. However, considering all circumstances Kenya as a host state has the potential to improve her refugee structures that will culminate in a culture that is ready to accommodate new identities.