Bridging the urban-rural divide: multi-spatial livelihoods in Nakuru town, Kenya

Based on a study in Nakuru town, Kenya, this volume deals with the multi-spatial (or multi-local) livelihoods of households with livelihood sources in different localities. It focuses in particular on the rural livelihood sources of urban households. To cope with the adverse economic effects of increasing unemployment, the escalating cost of living and decreasing purchasing power, households - both poor and rich - are having to diversify their sources of income. A large majority of Nakuru households now appear to have a rural livelihood source, usually for food. Another coping strategy witnessed in Nakuru town is the sending of some urban household members to live at the rural home. Generally speaking, urban households that engage in rural farming (multi-spatial livelihoods) and have access to a source of food for their household are more favourably placed regarding their food situation than households without a foothold in the rural areas (mono-spatial livelihoods). Linkages between urban and rural households are essential to an urban household's ability to survive, especially for poor urban households that are more vulnerable to economic stress and shocks than the non-poor. Contrary to the situation a few decades ago, those living in rural areas are no longer only the recipients of goods and services from the urban areas but have become important contributors to the livelihoods of relatives in urban areas