Effects of Socio-Economic Characteristics on the Resilience of Displaced Population; Internally Displaced Population in Nakuru Pipeline, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Although internal displacement of persons (IDPs) have been witnessed in Kenya over the years, the 2007/08 episode was the most severe with estimated 660,000 displaced persons; out of which 360,000 (53%) went to displaced camps and 300,000 (47%) were designated as integrated IDPs. Part of the displaced population in 2007/08, was resettled temporarily at the Nakuru Pipeline Complex, Nakuru County, Kenya. With over ten (10) years, the temporarily resettled population provided opportunity to examine the nature of resilience and recovery. This study was carried-out therefore to examine characteristics of the internally displaced population, nature of resilience (reasonable recovery) and aspects that enhanced resilience and socio-economic wellbeing. The theory of environmental and displacement vulnerability was used. The study was a survey design. From a resettled population of 810 households, a sample of 260 was determined through Yamane (1967) formula for small or finite populations. Systematic sampling was used to draw each sample from resettlement register. Questionnaire which included household displacement deprivation scale, key informant guide and the Focused Group Discussion guide were used. Over sixty-one percent (61.2%) respondents were married, 14.6% single, 6.5% separated and 17.7% widowed. Religious affiliation was the strength of character that aided hope and ability to overcome displacement challenges consisting 73.8% Protestants, 17.7% Catholics, 3.8% Muslims and 4.6% unclassified faiths. Over 56.0% displaced households earned below KES 3,000.00, 27.0% earned between KES 3,001.00 and KES 6,000.00 while 0.5% earned over KES 30,000.00 a month. Indicators that were rated worst (i.e. severely or rarely available or accessible) at the time of the initial settlement in 2008 included loss of self-esteem (82%), loss of income (82%), loss of employment (78%), lack of shelter (81%) and loss of property (71%), By 2018, there were considerable improvements (recovery) that included housing (72.0%), food access (63.0%), water (57.0%), clothing (54.0%) compared to initial crises periods. Most of the households own their houses and could accommodate extended family members. Other indicators of resilience or reasonable rate of recovery included spiritual growth (53.6%), self-employment (42%), trade (41.6%) and education for children (38.6%). Conversely, four (4) other indicators namely access to livelihoods, access to welfare support, access to opportunities to improve wellbeing, and adjustment to living at the Camp reflected low or negligible recovery. Post-displacement occupations consisted of subsistence and commercial farming (46.0%), small and medium enterprises (26.0%), casual labor (18.0%) among others. Further, 57.0% household heads belonged to self-help groups, participate in crops cultivation, commercial and savings endeavors to augment their incomes and settle bills. The study recommended that Displacement Policy in Kenya and the UN Displacement Protection and Support Framework (DPSF) will need to be improved to enhance measures to support resettlement of the displaced population; to enforce mechanisms to enhance resettlement and socio-economic resilience