Migration and differentiation in western Kenya: A tale of two sub‐locations

Abstract

Drawing on sociological and economic research methods and fieldwork, we examine processes of long term and contemporary differentiation in two west Kenya sub‐locations. Our analysis is at variance with existing explanations which, by extrapolating from Central Kenya, have emphasised links between migration, land purchases and agriculture. We find that the interaction of economic and social processes with ecological constraints has resulted in labour migration promoting differentiation through its funding of investment in education. This process is not linear; there are historical ruptures in the processes of differentiation.