The Social and Economic Determinants of Resettlement of Idps in Uasin Gishu County Kenya
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Date
2017-10
Authors
Okuto, Emily
Otube, Nelly Were
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Contemporary Research Center
Abstract
The nature of internally displaced persons (IDPs) sets important challenges to national governments, humanitarian agencies and development promoters all over the world. Kenya as a country has had its own challenges especially in the resettlement and reintegration of IDPs. The government did not adequately address the resettlement issues of IDPs after the 2007/2008 post - election violence. Those who returned home faced many challenges making the issue of resettlement of IDPs attract several questions. The overall objective of this study was to examine the challenges and opportunities of internally displaced persons and their resettlement. An Ex post facto comparative research design was adopted in the study. The study design relied on group comparisons to determine reasons or causes for the current status of the IDPs’ resettlement in Uasin Gishu county of Kenya. A random sampling approach was used to sample 192 IDP households who were out of camps and 192 households of IDP in camps.. Quantitative data collected in the field were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data from focus group discussions and in depth interviews were coded into theme and analyzed qualitatively. The study found out that in as much as many IDPs had been resettled some were still in camps awaiting the resettlement packages promised by the government. Most of the IDPs were either farmers or from the business community. They were waiting for land promised by government and construction of houses. Resettlement had challenges like finances, hostility from host communities and failure on the part of the government in identifying the genuine IDPs. The humanitarian organizations did not involve the IDPs in planning for their resettlement hence the lack of understanding of the extent to which aid could be offered during resettlement.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
internally displaced persons, resettlement, reintegration, host community, reconciliation