IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 22, Issue 11, Ver. 6 (November. 2017) PP 08-18 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0837-2211060818 www.iosrjournals.org 8 | Page Impact of Social Capital on the Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons in Kenya Christopher Nkonge Kiboro 1 , Gidraph Wairire 2 , Octavian Gakuru 3 1 (Department of Social Sciences, Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka-Kenya) 2 (Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi-Kenya) 3 (Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi-Kenya) ABSTRACT: This paper examines the impact of social capital on the resettlement of internally displaced persons in Kenya. A survey design was adopted in which both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from households, leaders of community groups, local level government administrators and group members. The sample for the analysis included 400 respondents from two counties: Nakuru county and UasinGishu County. Cross-tabulation analysis indicated social capital had a positive contribution towards the resettlement of the internally displaced persons. The analysis revealed that in the absence of institutional support, IDPs make use of their acquired social capital to resettle. Their social networks serve as the primary forms of insurance that they depend on to smooth out the adverse effects of unforeseen exigencies. It also revealed that norms of reciprocity, values such as being trustworthy, and the belief that other people will reciprocate are essential features of community life. Subsequently, people are able to exhibit attitudes of benevolence and make sacrifices in order to help others in times of need. The analysis has useful policy and practice implications. The findings suggest that resettlement programs should focus on strategies that enhance the development of social capital as an essential element in the resettlement of the displaced populations. In addition, policy makers and social service providers should consider strengthening and building capacities of grassroots associations through training and provision of resources to make such associations more vibrant and sustainable. Key words -Internally Displaced Persons, Reciprocity, Resettlement, Social Capital, Trust --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 31-10-2017 Date of acceptance: 16-11-2017 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION Social capital to the extent that it is the property of social environment, produces valuable resources that can be used to solve a broad range of problems in the society. Social capital is instrumental in facilitating the achievement of some societal good such as economic growth, social and political developments [1]; [2]. As a result, social capital is gaining global recognition particularly among international organizations such as the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development especially in the sustainability of development projects [3]; [4]. In Africa, social capital is increasingly being recognized as an important resource for influencing development outcomes. [5]; [6] found out that social capital had positive effects in improving household welfare of the poor people in Africa. The government of Kenya also recognizes the importance of social capital in the pursuit of long-term development goals of the country. The Kenyan blue-print for development popularly known as the Kenya Vision 2030 for instance, recognizes that Kenya’s progress towards becoming a globally competitive and prosperous nation involves among other things the building of a just and cohesive society [7] The political pillar of the Kenya Vision 2030 envisions a country with a democratic system that reflects the expectations and aspirations of its people. It envisions a country in which equality is guaranteed regardless of one’s background either by race, religion, ethnicity, gender or socio-economic status and a nation that harnesses and respects the diversity of its people’s values and traditions [7]. However, the realization of development goals in most of the African countries including Kenya has largely been hindered by frequent violent conflicts and political instability. It has been reported that since the post-independence period, conflicts in Africa have tended to be widespread, more diverse and violent and have blighted hope for Africa’s development agenda. According to [8]; [9] conflicts in Africa in the past decades have affected over 300 million people directly or indirectly. As a result, about seven million of the total global refugee estimates comprises of Africans and nearly sixteen million out of the twenty five million IDPs globally are in Africa [10].