Socio-economic impact of Somali refugees at the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya on the host community

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.