Reconciling National Security and Protection of Refugees:The Case of Somali Refugees in Kenya

The increase in the number of Somali refugees in Kenya has been associated with the increased national security concerns. This study makes the case that refugee protection and national security should be viewed as complementary and not as conflicting state goals. Whereas the perception of Somali refugees as a threat is not without merit, it is possible for this to be done without violating refugee rights. The study endeavored to explain refugee presence and national security questions in Kenya and proposed course of action to address the securitization of Somali refugees in the country. To achieve the stated research objectives the Securitization theory and Realism theory were used as the main framework which the study was grounded on and as the lens in which the key attributes of the research were analyzed. The study was conducted using the descriptive design that involved qualitative research approach that centered on review and critical literature analysis. Secondary data was obtained from books, published scholarly materials, internet publications, field research report, theses, journals, government reports, newsletters and newspapers. The analysis of the study revealed that growing national security concerns in Kenya have affected and undermined the protection regime of refugees especially Somalis. Hence the study suggested that national security and the protection of refugees are complementary and mutually reinforcing.