Livelihood coping strategies for refugees - A case of the Great Lakes Community in Nairobi Kenya.

Abstract

Kenya hosts more than 271,473 of these refugees .18% live in urban areas compared with about 26% in camps while the rest are dispersed in rural areas. Nairobi is home to at least 40,000 refugees.

The objective of the study was to determine factors influencing livelihood coping strategies of refugees in Nairobi. The study was descriptive, cross sectional study that adopted both quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 240 refugees were interviewed. They were involved in craft making, tailoring, Groceries, farming, commercial sex work and artisanship as forms of IGAs.

(68%) of refugees said that the place of residence influenced their way of life. Refugees with secondary education were more likely to be independent, those with tertiary education were likely to be dependent these was statistically significant (p=0.003).

Refugees are engaged in income activities that are not officially recognized. The contribution of urban refugees to the Kenyan economy could highlight the positive contribution of refugees to the Kenyan economy.