Middle States Geographer, 2001, 34:63-72 ANAL YSIS OF SELECTED GEOGRAPHICAL ASPECTS OF KENYAN IMMIGRANTS IN THE llNITED STATES

ABSTRACT: This study uses data collected in a questionnaire sunJey to examine the interstate migration and settlement patterns of Kenyan immigrants in the United States. Specifically, it examines the factors influencing their migration as well as their spatial distribution, housing tenure, and the role of social networks in the migration process. Most Kenyan immigrants come to the United States to pursue [urther education and also to seek economic opportunities. Following their initial settlement, many of them engage in interstate migration mostly due to economic circumstances. There appears to be a trend of moving from the northeast towards southern and midwestern states. Many Kenyan immigrants rent their residences here in the United States. l lowever, many of them either build or plan to build a house back in Kenya. This is because many Kenyans perceive their stay in the United States (is temporary and plan to return to their homeland in the future. Since 1970, the foreign born population has increased rapidly due to large-scale immigration, primarily from Latin America and Asia. The foreign born population rose from 9.6 million in 1970 to 14.1 BACKGROUND U.S. Immigration Trend