MST-Department of Gender and Development Studies

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Browsing MST-Department of Gender and Development Studies by Subject "Displaced Families"

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    Gendered Implications of Involuntary Resettlement of Displaced Families: The Case of Karimenu II Dam, Kiambu County, Kenya.
    (Kenyatta University, 2023-11) Njuku, Lawrence Kiarie; Geraldine Musyoki; Mutuma, Sheila
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    Gendered Implications of Involuntary Resettlement of Displaced Families: The Case of Karimenu II Dam, Kiambu County, Kenya.
    (Kenyatta University, 2023-11) Njuku, Lawrence Kiarie; Geraldine Musyoki; Sheila Mutuma
    This study investigated the gender implications of involuntary resettlement at Karimenu II Dam. The specific objectives were: to examine the particular resettlement strategies employed by the government on the displaced families for the construction of Karimenu II Dam; to assess the gender implications on the lives and livelihoods of the displaced families through the government‟s development project at Karimenu II; to establish the coping mechanisms adopted by women and men following their involuntary resettlement and to suggest possible ways for the government to come up with involuntary resettlement programs that are gender responsive. The study employed the Impoverishment, Risks and Reconstruction (IRR) model developed in the late 1990s by the World Bank and coined by Michael Cernea (2002); which provides a conceptual tool for identifying the inherent risks that may cause impoverishment through involuntary displacement and resettlement. It also employed the refined IRR model by Andnet Gizachew in 2015 to cater for omissions of other risks of involuntary resettlement. Karimenu II dam which was constructed between the years 2018 to 2022 is located in Gatundu North Sub-county of Kiambu County. The study employed a case study design. Out of the target population of 600 families, the researcher found out that only 300 families had been resettled during the first phase, and the sample size of 169 respondents was selected by use of Krejcie & Morgan sampling table. It also included 6 key informants. Data was collected by use of questionnaires, direct observation, structured and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented in form of tables, figures and histograms while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The research brought to light the socio-economic gender outcome of the involuntarily displaced persons of Karimenu II Dam construction. There were significant social and economic disruption of the lives of the PAPs. The shock of being displaced caused distress especially among the elderly and women. Problematic valuation of property followed by delays in compensation led to riots and mistrust between the implementers and the affected. However, following the Involuntary Resettlement an opportunity of growth arose for the PAPs rather than the anticipated impoverishment. Many were able to relocate with their livestock, resettled well and were able to invest better agriculturally and in business, setting them on a path of economic growth. There were significant gender outcomes where many women got an opportunity to share in decision-making at the domestic level during relocation and investments on their new lands while a sizeable number of men gave up alcoholism to manage their new settlements and investments. This data may be helpful in acquiring gender disaggregated outcomes on the lives and livelihoods of PAPs of Involuntary Resettlement, to the government and other stakeholders in the future for a gender responsive planning of development projects where populations are to be displaced involuntarily. It will also contribute to the body of knowledge on Involuntary Resettlement from a gender perspective. The study has made recommendations to implementers of IR, community leaders and the PAPs that may help improve future IR outcomes.