The Impact of Rural-urban Migration on the Family: a Case Study of Kanyadoto Location, South Nyanza District

Abstract

This study sought to uncover the economic, social and psychological impacts of migration on migrant families. The study critically examines theoretical models which put forward rationalistic motives as explaining the origins, causes and reasons for accelerating rural-to-urban migration and comes to the conclusion that: 1. Large-scale labour participation in Kenya had to be imposed through a structure of incentives and pressures since many Africans attempted to limit the disruptive impact of labour demands and retain a measure of control over their own lives. They, however, do not explain the factors supporting and accelerating the process, which is our concern now. 2. It is necessary for a migrant to maintain a linkage to the rural place of origin such that his wage income supplements the farm income. This pro~ably explains the persistence of the migration phenomenon. The methodology employed for this study involved a study of the attitudes of rural women whose husbands reside in Nairobi and are left behind in the rural area with the children, and (ix) a follow-up study of migrants from the same area living in Nairobi. Attitudes were examined here because it was assumed that attitudes are psychological reflections of the social dynamics in a society. At the urban end, this study examined the frequency of interaction of migrants with their rural-based families; forms of assistance directed to the family members; and other associated attitudes. This study therefore, examined the positive and negative attributes of the migration process in respect to the general welfare of migrant families. This dissertation is divided into five chapters. Chapter One is essentially an introduction highlighting the problem of study, the hypotheses, the objectives of the study and its justifications. Chapter Two consists of a review of related literature concentrating on the history and origins of wage labour in Kenya; the causes and persistence of rural-urban migration; and an overview of the theories on its impact. Chapter Three consists of the background information on the study area; cites the study population; and outlines the methodology applied in data collection. (x) Chapter Four involves the presentation of the data which was analysed for this project. It involved the testing of the earlier raised hypotheses. Finally, Chapter Five contains the summary of the study and the recommendations aimed at enhancing on further improvement of family welfare.