Socio-Demographic and Economic Implications of Immigration into Kitengela Town, Kajiado County, Kenya Between 2011 And 2021

Abstract

This study main objective was to determine socio-demographic and economic implications of immigration in Kitengela Town, Kenya.

A stratified sampling technique was used to select 153 immigrants residing in Kitengela Town (internal/international) and three key informants using a questionnaire and an interview guide. The study employed a descriptive survey design to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was organized, cleaned, coded and analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS v 25.0) software. Percentages and frequencies were computed and presented in charts and tables. Qualitative data was cleaned and transcribed to bring out important information in the best way.

The study found that there are both positive and negative socio-demographic and economic effects of immigration in Kitengela Town. The study also established that immigration to Kitengela Town is facilitated/motivated by better healthcare facilities, better housing infrastructure, industrialization of urban areas, better employment opportunities as well as good learning institutions. However, some of the problems encountered by immigrants included traffic congestion, weather/climate changes, difference in living standards (either high or unmanageable), struggle to settle in, fluctuating financial status, and insecurity especially at night among others.

From the findings, the study recommended that the Kenyan Government should implement strong and coherent economic reforms that will attract investment in diverse sections of the nation with the goal of strengthening the economy and generating job opportunities to mitigate negative social and economic consequences of migration. The County Government of Kajiado should also increase and improve training platforms and centers to improve the self-sustenance skills of the immigrants in order to minimize unemployment and lack of economic sustainability. Also, spouses, family members and married people are advised to relocate together whenever feasible to protect their marriages, sexual reproductive health and healthy behavioural maintenance.