Abstract:
The question of the impact of refugees on host nations has lingered in research circles for.
a long time. Global research indicate that refugees have negative and positive impacts they pose to
the socioeconomic development of hosting nations. However, to appreciate the impacts of refugees
on host socioeconomic development require an understanding on the challenges refugees face in
contributing to the development of host states. Thus, this study’s objective was to investigate the
challenges faced by refugees in Dadaab camps in contributing to the socio-economic development of
Kenya. The study was founded on the refugee aid and development theory and used mixed methods
design to collect data from refugees, host communities, government officials, NGO officers and
security officers dealing with the social and economic factors associated with refugees. Multistage
and census sampling were used to select respondents. Findings show that refugees face social and
economic challenges that affect their contribution to the development of host nations and concludes
that refugees’ socioeconomic development of host countries is hampered by social and economic
challenges. The study recommends the instituting and implementation of policies that promote the
protection of refugees to allow them effectively to contribute to socioeconomic development of
Kenya.
