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
