Abstract
The refugee situation in Kenya has experienced important changes in the last 20 years. Faced with the refugee crisis of the early 1990s, there was a major shift away from a previous government-led, open, and laisse-faire approach to refugees. The government’s emerging strategy was clear; to offer temporary protection, delegate dealing with refugees to UNHCR and to contain them in remote areas of the country. Kenya is a signatory to 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Protocol and also 1969 Organization of African Unity Convention governing specific aspects of Refugee problems in Africa. There was no national legislation for refugees until 2006 but Kenya has over the years registered hundreds of thousands of Somalis, offering temporary protection. This dissertation explores the current situation of refugees in Kenya and its effect on internal security as well possible remedies to the challenges faced.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND OF LONG-TERM REFUGEES IN KENYA
1.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………1
1.1 Background on long-term refugees in Kenya……………………………………………….1
1.2 Statement of the problem……………………………………………………….…………...3
1.3 Research question……………………………………………………….…………………..5
1.4 Research objectives…………………………………………………….......………………..6
1.5 Significance of study………………………………………………………………………...6
1.6 Scope of study……………………………………………………………………………….7
1.7 Justification for the study……………………………………………………………………7
1.8 Research methodology………………………………………………………………………7
1.8.1 Method of data collection………………………………………………….………….…….7
1.8.2 Sources and instruments to be used………………………………………………..………..8
1.8.3 Collection and analysis of data…………………………………………………….………..8
1.8.4 Work plan………………………………………………………………………..…………..8
1.9 Literature review……………………………………………………………….……………9
CHAPTER 2: OBLIGATION OF KENYA TOWARDS REFUGEES
2.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………...………15
2.1 Admission and treatment of refugees after entry…………………………………….…….15
2.2 Non-Refoulement principle………………………………………………………….……..17
2.3 Protection of refugees……………………………………………………………...………20
CHAPTER 3: CHALLENGES FACING KENYA AS A HOST COUNTRY
3.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………..………26
3.1 Policy implementation…………………………………………………………..…………26
3.2 Long-term displacement of refugees…………………………………………...………….32
3.2.1 Poor Infrastructure…………………………………………………………………………33
3.2.2 Resource scarcity and competition………………………………………………..……….35
3.2.3 Depletion of natural resources……………………………………………………..………37
CHAPTER 4: ACTIVITIES OF REFUGEES AND THEIR IMPACT ON NATIONAL
SECURITY
4.0 Introduction………………………………………………...................................................40
4.1 Human trafficking………………………………………………………………………….40
4.2 Militarization of camps…………………………………………………………….………43
4.3 Smuggling of firearms……………………………………………………………….…….47
4.4 Internal inter-ethnic conflicts and clashes with the local communities…………………....50
CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, OBSERVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND
CONCLUSIONS
5.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..55
5.1 Summary……………………………………………………………………………..…….55
5.2 Observations………………………………………………………………………….……57
5.3 Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………60
5.4 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………......……..62
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………...……….......64
Olembo, G. (2018). PROTECTION OF REFUGEES AND CHALLENGES TO INTERNAL SECURITY IN KENYA. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/protection-of-refugees-and-challenges-to-internal-security-in-kenya
Olembo, Gloria "PROTECTION OF REFUGEES AND CHALLENGES TO INTERNAL SECURITY IN KENYA" Afribary. Afribary, 01 Nov. 2018, https://afribary.com/works/protection-of-refugees-and-challenges-to-internal-security-in-kenya. Accessed 09 Jul. 2025.
Olembo, Gloria . "PROTECTION OF REFUGEES AND CHALLENGES TO INTERNAL SECURITY IN KENYA". Afribary, Afribary, 01 Nov. 2018. Web. 09 Jul. 2025. < https://afribary.com/works/protection-of-refugees-and-challenges-to-internal-security-in-kenya >.
Olembo, Gloria . "PROTECTION OF REFUGEES AND CHALLENGES TO INTERNAL SECURITY IN KENYA" Afribary (2018). Accessed July 09, 2025. https://afribary.com/works/protection-of-refugees-and-challenges-to-internal-security-in-kenya