Coping with urban poverty: a case study of rural farming by urban households in Nakuru, Kenya

Abstract

Given the present circumstances of urban unemployment and poverty, access to rural food and income sources is an essential element in the livelihood of many urban dwellers in sub-saharan Africa. This article examines the nature and importance of rural farming activities in enhancing the urban household's food security and income diversification, using Nakuru town, Kenya, as a case study. Based on a general survey among a representative sample of households in Nakuru town, 2001, 56 % could be classified as 'rural crop cultivation and/ or livestock keeping. The results indicate that rural farming is an important livelihood strategy for the households in terms of enhancing their food security and income. For the large majorities, rural farming forms at least an additional food and/ or income source to their urban households.