VOICES FROM THE SLUM- A study of perceptions amongst rural migrants in Kibera, Nairobi

Abstract: Migration and urbanisation have a great impact on many Less Developed Countries. However, limited research has been focusing on the relationship between urbanisation and rapidly growing slum populations. This thesis provides a better understanding of how rural migrants in Kenya are affected by their movements to one of the world’s largest slums, Kibera. This study uses qualitative data collected from a sample of 20 respondents, using Netsayi Noris Mudege and Eliya M. Zulu’s framework as its theoretical basis. The respondents were interviewed about their perceptions on their pasts, presents and futures. The respondents had different reasons for moving to the slum, and for many of them strong social bonds had an impact on their movements. Their places of origin were described as underdeveloped and with lacking opportunities, and by moving, the respondents hoped to be able to better achieve their individual goals. Most of the interviewed men had reached their goals and that resulted in them feeling a sense of satisfaction. Generally, this was not the case for the women who felt dissatisfied with their movements. The rural areas were of great importance for the migrants, therefore almost all of them considered moving back to their rural villages in the future. Unfortunately, for many of the migrants moving back could be seen as problematic.