Strategies used by south Sudanese migrants in adapting to the new way of life in Nakuru municipality, Nakuru county, Kenya

Migration is part of human life and involves peoples’ movement from one place to another depending on many factors that include resource distribution and the opportunities that some areas in the world present as compared to other areas. As a result of the conflict in Sudan, from 1983-2005, South Sudanese migrated to Kenya for fear of political persecution, human right violation, social, economic and cultural abuses to search for a better way of life. However, South Sudanese who migrated to Kenya have no access to all types of assets and basic livelihoods mean including rights to land ownership and housing. Despite, their limited access to livelihood assets especially rights to land ownership and housing, South Sudanese migrants managed to settle in Nakuru municipality. However, it has remained unclear as to what strategies are used by South Sudanese migrants in adapting to their new way of life in Nakuru municipality. Thus, the need for this study. The objective of this study was to establish social strategies used by South Sudanese migrants in adapting to the new way of life in Nakuru municipality. This research paper was guided by Cultural Ecological Theory. This study was conducted in Nakuru municipality. It had a sample size of 110 respondents recruited through snowball sampling. Data was collected by the use of both interview schedules and focus group discussions. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and then reported in percentages, tables, pie charts and excerpts. The study found out that the process of adaptation and socio-cultural change is observed to be occurring in various aspects of South Sudanese life. These include adjustment to the host culture, acquiring language competency and advances social interaction between respondents and host citizens and the increased amount of contacts with members of the host society.