Kenya

‘We Help Each Other When We Can’: Somali Migrants, Urban Livelihoods, and South-South Migration in Nairobi’s ‘Little Mogadishu’

This research brief aims to illuminate the experiences of Somali migrant households in Eastleigh by examining their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, food procurement strategies, levels of food security, and the coping mechanisms they adopt during periods of adversity. By grounding the discussion in the context of South-South migration and urban food security, this study engages […]

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Considering the Migration and Food Security Nexus in African Cities

International migration and food security are still treated as separate policy and research domains, yet they are deeply intertwined in the African urban context. This paper unbundles the nexus between migration and urban food security by examining how migrants and refugees navigate food systems, cope with vulnerabilities, and deploy resilience strategies to mitigate food insecurity.

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Informal Female Food Vendors, COVID-19, and Post-Pandemic Recovery in Kisumu, Kenya

While there is substantial literature on the effects of COVID-19 on formal businesses, limited evidence exists on the impacts of the pandemic on informal female-owned enterprises. Additionally, no studies have explored the role of post-pandemic recovery strategies in meeting the unique challenges experienced by the informal food vendors in secondary cities in the Global South.

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Foreign Models and Discordant Outcomes in Nairobi’s Food System

— PhD Thesis — This dissertation critically examines the transformation of Nairobi’s food system within the context of rapid urbanization, retail liberalization, and the growing influence of supermarket economies. Drawing on extensive data from household surveys, policy analysis, and documentation research, it investigates the application of the supermarket revolution model and food desert concept within the specific

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An Assessment of Enterprise Dynamics of Women Street Food Vendors in Urban Informal Settlements: The Case of Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Nairobi, Kenya

— Master’s Thesis — The informal food sector is big and persistent in sub-Saharan Africa and provides employment and livelihood opportunities to a large proportion of urban residents. Although feminization of the informal food sector has been recognized, its gendered dimensions have not been fully understood. Most studies have focused on both male and female food

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Pandemic Shocks and the Food Security of Somali Migrants and Refugees in Nairobi, Kenya

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered severe shocks to food security for marginalized populations in urban areas. Somali migrants and refugees in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood faced disproportionate impacts due to strict containment measures, disrupted food supply chains, and the shutdown of informal markets. These disruptions exacerbated existing socio-economic inequities, leading to heightened food insecurity. This paper examines

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Food Insecurity and South Sudanese Urban Refugees in Kenya

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already precarious situation of urban South Sudanese refugees living in Nairobi and Nakuru, Kenya. The pandemic not only increased food insecurity but also disrupted livelihoods and exacerbated socio-economic vulnerabilities that were already significant. These refugees faced limited access to support mechanisms typically available in refugee camps, with inadequate government response

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Enhancing Rural-Urban Linkages Through Food Remittances

In many rapidly urbanizing African countries, food remittances from rural to urban areas play a vital role in maintaining rural-urban linkages. In Nairobi, Kenya, half of all households, regardless of migration status, receive food remittances from rural areas. Contrary to conventional beliefs, these food transfers are not solely linked to migration or poverty. Instead, they

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The Role of Somali Migrants in Informal Food Economy and Transformation of Urban Food Chains in Nairobi

This study aims to fill this gap by examining the role of Somali migrants in informal food economy and transformation of urban food chains in Nairobi. The study will also address various inter-related gaps in knowledge that appear when South-South migration is examined from a food perspective and global food security is examined from a

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Women Informal Food Vendors in Nairobi’s Informal Settlements

This project intends to investigate the impact of COVID-19 containment measures on women informal food vendors in Nairobi’s urban informal settlements. Although the feminization of the informal food sector has been recognized, its gendered dimensions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been fully grasped and researched. The negative economic, health-related and food security impacts

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