Information for poverty alleviation among the urban Poor: a case study of rhonda slums in nakuru municipality, Kenya

Abstract

Urban poverty in Kenya has been associated with migration of rural poor to urban areas in search of better living standards. In Nakuru, these immigrants end up in Rhonda slums where they face high poverty levels. Poverty here has been partly linked with lack of access to information. This study sought to investigate how improved access to information could alleviate poverty in Rhonda slums with a view of developing a model that can be adopted. The specific objectives of the study were to; examine the information needs of Rhonda slums dwellers, establish their information sources, examine the hindrances to access of information and suggest possible solutions. The study adopted the case study method. Bradshaw‟s economic, political and social distortion theory, Sense-making theory by Brenda Dervin, and Ganokendra model for poverty alleviation were used. Data was collected in Rhonda slums, Nakuru from eighty (80) community members, five (5) administrative leaders and thirteen (13) service providers. Interview schedule was used to collect data. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to collect data which was consequently analyzed thematically. The finding of the study was that Rhonda slums dwellers can alleviate poverty if access to information that can enable them perfect the economic activities they engage in is provided. In conclusion, Rhonda slums dwellers do not access relevant and timely information that can help them alleviate poverty as the information sources are either inadequate or inaccessible. This study recommends that the policy makers together with information workers should understand Rhonda slums dwellers‟ information needs and develop a well coordinated and accessible information distribution structure with relevant and timely information for the community