African Diasporas in Africa: An Exploration of the Socio-Economic Influences of the Congolese Diaspora in Kenya

Abstract

African diaspora in Africa and International Relations is an area that needs more research and analysis, to establish their importance in conversations around development and globalisation. In Kenya, the inward formal remittances from the Kenya Diaspora stood at Kshs 113 billion in 2013, accounting for 2.98% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. This contribution is significant and provides an area that needs to be explored further to increase these economic contributions. Further, the Sierra Leonean Diaspora in Liberia greatly contributed to the search of peace in Sierra Leone through various activities and projects the diaspora was involved in while based in Liberia, that helped the people of Sierra Leone in finding peace and sustenance for unfortunate Sierra Leonean citizens still living in Sierra Leone. Moreover, Africans in South Africa served and continue to serve as a potential source of knowledge and skills needed for Africa’s development. This means that African diaspora is a vital resource under globalisation and is becoming increasingly important in the socio-cultural, economic, and political mapping of Africa’s development. This research explores to what extent the Congolese diaspora in Kenya influences the social and economic environment in Kenya. One of the objectives of the research is to investigate what role the Congolese diaspora plays in the socio-economic scaling of Kenya’s development. The literature review shows that little research has been conducted on African diaspora in Africa and relating them to international relations. (Koser, 2003) (Godin & Dona, 2016) in their research tend to focus on African diaspora outside the continent, such as Belgium, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France, for the case of the Congolese diaspora. Such a gap creates the impression that African diasporas within the African continent are of no or little value and add no contribution to the overall development of the great African continent. This research intends to shed light on the role that the Congolese Diaspora plays in terms of influencing the society and economy of the host country Kenya. The research took an exploratory design which allowed for a better study of the issues that were brought up during the research. The research is attempting to see any patterns that may be present in relation to the Congolese people living in Kenya, as refugees or voluntary migrants. It is to explore any influence that this diaspora has in the Kenyan society in terms of society and the economy. Using the case study of DRC diaspora in Kenya to analyse the issue at hand, the research will rely on a case study design as well. Interviews were the main source of primary data, and they were supported by secondary research that came in the form of documentary research as well as archival research on the internet and Kenya national archives research. The sampling criteria used was based on availability of information. This meant that the research relied on Congolese young students, business men and women as well as individuals who were based in identified areas within Nairobi (Umoja, Embakasi and Langata) informed by the prior research on neighbourhoods that Congolese people frequently live in. The research will then provide an analysis of the various issues, and propose recommendations targeted at African scholars, policy makers and the Congolese ministry of external affairs based on the outcome of the data obtained. The research intends to use an exploratory research design, using the case study of Congo, exploring the dynamics of the Congolese population in Kenya and its implication in African diasporic literature.