Livelihood Patterns of Urban Refugees: a Case Study of Kayole, Nairobi

Abstract

The asylum seekers and refugees in Nairobi have integrated into the social and economic life of Nairobi with minimal support from key stakeholders like the Government and the humanitarian community. In a deteriorating yet competitive informal sector, they have found both employment and self-employment opportunities. It has been quite a challenge to fit into the urban fabric based on the fact that they have to undergo a lengthy asylum seeking process. There is limited engagement with local administrative authorities and a business community hesitant to engage them (UN, 2011). There is need for a paradigm shift in strategies being implemented by the government and the humanitarian community to empower the urban refugees in their pursuit for a sustainable livelihood in the urban refugees. There is scanty empirical literature on the livelihood patterns of urban if- refugees in Nairobi. The study usedexploratory research design. The study population was the urban refugees and asylum seekers living in Kayole Location. The study sample constituted of 100 urban refugees sampled using stratified sampling technique and 10 key informants sampled through purposive sampling technique. Data was' collected using questionnaires, observations, key informants and FGDs. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. From the findings, the study concluded that the majority of the urban refugees originated from Great Lakes region. The accessibility of the social amenities in Kayole is to a great extent similar to that of Kenyans. The urban refugees have made great strides integrating into the social life of Nairobi. The urban refugees' social groups were a key socio-economic v~hicle in pursuit of their livelihood. The main sources of cash income included; casual labour, petty trade, self-employment and limited formal employment. A small population of urban refugees' families participated in livelihood support programmes. The main challenges facing the urban refugees in Nairobi included; lack of livelihood opportunities, lack of legal documentation, lack of capital, language barrier, insecurity, harassment by local authorities and police, limited access to high quality health services and lack of entrepreneurship skills. The study recommends that the NGOs offering livelihood support to urban refugees should scale up their livelihood support. The government should offer special protection to the urban refugees. The UNHCR and NGOs should design or redesign and implement effective livelihoods programmes.