Effects of the Settlement of Somali along Kenya’s Highways: the case of Namanga Highway- 1995-2010

Abstract

This project seeks to investigate the actual and potential factors that encourage the settlement of Somali along the Namanga Highway and effects of this settlement thereof. Focusing on the factors such as conducive trading environment, mobilization of finances, role of religion and attendant infrastructure, and the project established that these immigrants were encouraged to settle along the highway due to the hospitality of the host community, space and fairly developed road network that connects the area to the Tanzanian market. The study established that faster growth among the immigrant Somali was gifted from risk taking, innovativeness. Their success attracted envy, hate and conflict. The fears of the non-Muslim communities for Islamic influence encroaching in the area was a bone of contention that led to the animosity towards the Somali.