Abstract:
Kenya has hosted refugees from diverse nationalities for many years but recently, the
refugees’ socioeconomic impact on the nation has been questioned. Evidence from
global level indicate positive and negative impact of refugees, although local
stakeholders have advanced the need for refoulement due to the belief that Somali
refugees threaten Kenya’s national security and are not beneficial to the country. This
study believes that, just as it is the case with refugees across other nations in the
world, Somali refugees have benefits and costs but the benefits outweigh the costs
given that the country has refugee management laws that ensure the costs are dealt
with. This study’s main objective was to investigate the socio-economic impacts of
Somali refugees in Dadaab to the host community in Kenya. The specific objectives
were to determine the influence Somali refugees in Dadaab camps have on Kenya’s
socio-economic development; identify the security concerns associated with the
keeping and maintaining of Somali refugees in Dadaab Camps; assess the challenges
refugees in Dadaab camps face in contributing to the socio-economic development of
Kenya; and to establish the strategies for enhancing refugee’s socio-economic
contribution to host community. The study applied the securitization theory and the
refugee aid theory. Mixed methods approach was used while a population of 229,233
people targeted. A sample size of 503 was chosen where 30 were interviewed face-to-
face and 473 were surveyed using a questionnaire. The interviews collected
qualitative data while the survey collected quantitative data. Refugee leaders at the
sub-clan and religious level were sampled using simple random sampling where all
leaders were given random computer-generated numbers from 1 to 120 and a
computer picked randomly 92 numbers representing participants to the study.
Stratified random sampling was used to sample host community members. The strata
were defined based on position held in society after which, simple random sampling
was used to pick 381 participants. officers from government, county and UNHCR
together with its partners totalling to 30 were chosen by census method. Quantitative
data was analysed using descriptive statistics and presented using tables while
thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data, which was presented in
narrations and quotes. The qualitative findings showed that Somali refugees attract
remittances, grow trade, rental opportunities, and influence infrastructural
improvement. It was further found that refugees are generally peaceful and are
challenged by inadequate market space to trade from. Quantitative findings showed
that refugees create job opportunities (Mean=2.17; SD=0.801) and lower prices
(Mean=1.68; SD.=1.021). Majority (72%) of respondents agreed that closure of
Kenyan-Somalia border was ineffective in controlling illegal imports, and weapon
proliferation. Refugee management policies available promote participation in
socioeconomic development (Mean=2.60; SD=0.938) but discourage integration and
settlement (Mean=2.48; SD=1.067). The study concluded that Somali refugees have
positive and negative socioeconomic impacts on Kenya and that border closure and
reduced border manning are ineffective in ensuring cross border security.
Recommendations are that Kenya government institute a policy that guides refugee
contribution to socioeconomic development, revise refugee management policies to
accommodate refugee settlement and integration, adopt technology in border security
management including use of airborne mobile intruder detection sensors, surveillance
drones, and real-time closed-circuit television.