This study sought to investigate the economic and socio-cultural impact of refugees on the Kenyan communities. The data for this study was collected from primary and secondary sources. The research instruments were questionnaires and interview schedules. The study population comprised of 30 refugees, 10 camp officials and 20 locals. Purposive sampling was used to select 60 respondents. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, means and percentages were used in analyzing data.
Unlike many communities whereby refugees are restricted to the camp, the situation in Kakuma Camp is different. The Kakuma refugees move freely to any part of the Kakuma. There is a good social relation between the host community and the refugees in Kakuma. There have been intermarriages between the refugees and the host community. The hosts and the refugees also attend some social events like weddings, funerals and child naming ceremonies together. However, there are some minor negative developments as a result of the refugees’ presence for almost two decades in the Kakuma community.
These negative impacts include poor sanitation, scarcity of land, security issues and moral degeneration. This notwithstanding, the positive impacts of the refugees’ presence on the host community outweighed the negatives. Indeed, the presence of the refugees on Kakuma has turned the place from a small village to an urbanized centre. The Kakuma community can boast of much better modern infrastructural development springing up all over the town after the refugees’ settlement. The study found the types of development that can be associated with the presence of the refugees to include the provision of banks, telecommunication and Internet cafés.
Table of Contents
1.0 Overview
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of problem
1.3 The Purpose of the Study
1.4 Objective of the study
1.5 Research Questions
1.6 Justification of the study
1.7 Significance of the Study
1.8 Scope and limitation of the study
1.8.1 The Scope of the Study
1.8.2 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Theoretical Framework
1.10 Operational Definition of Terms
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Social and Economic Impact of Refugees
2.2 Relationship between the Turkana people and the Refugee Population
2.3 Refugee Camps, Influx and Host Community Household Viability
2.4 Factors creating tension and conflict between Hosts and Refugee Populations
2.5 Factors that support Coexistence and Constructive Collaborations between Hosts and Refugees
2.6 Recommendations to resolve perceived negative impact of Refugees
2.7 Summary of Literature Review
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Study Area
3.2 Research Design
3.3 Target Population
3.4 Sampling procedures and Sample size
3.5 Research instrument
3.5.1 Questionnaires
3.5.2 Interview
3.5.3 Documentary analysis
3.6 Reliability and Validity of Research Instruments
3.6.1 Reliability of Research Instruments
3.6.2 Validity of Research Instruments
3.7 Data collection procedures
3.8 Data Analysis and presentation of findings
3.9 Ethical and legal considerations
3.10 Chapter Summary
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Background information of the respondents
4.2 Results and Discussion of Research Findings
4.2.1 Kind of Relationship between Host Community and the Refugees
4.2.2 Hosts relationship with the refugee population
4.2.3 Refugee’s relationship with the host community
4.3 Refugee’s presence and socio-cultural and economic structure of the host
4.3.1 Economic impact of the refugee’s presence on the host community
4.3.2 Infrastructural impact of the refugee’s presence on the host community
4.4 Perceived effects of Education and Health aspects of the refugee’s presence on the host community
4.5 Kakuma refugee’s presence and security
4.6 Sanitation and Environmental impacts on the host community
4.7 Effect of cultural and ethnic aspects of the refugee’s presence on the host
4.8 Effects of refugee camp and influx on household viability of the host
4.9 Main sources of tensions and conflict between the host and refugees
4.10 Sources of support coexistence collaborations between the host & refugees
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Summary of the study findings
5.1.1 Kind of relationship between host community and the refugees
5.1.2 Refugee’s presence and socio-cultural and economic impact on the host
5.1.3 Effects of refugee camp and influx on household viability of the host
5.1.4 Main sources of tensions and conflict between the host and refugees
5.1.5 Sources of support coexistence collaborations between the host and refugees
5.2 Conclusions
5.3 Recommendations
5.4 Recommendations for Further Research
Research Objectives and Focus
This study aims to investigate the complex economic and socio-cultural interactions between the refugee population at the Kakuma Refugee Camp and the host Turkana community in northern Kenya to determine whether these impacts have been fundamentally positive or negative for the local population.
- Evaluating the nature of the relationship between the Turkana people and the refugee population.
- Analyzing the real and perceived socio-economic impacts of the camp's presence on host household viability.
- Identifying the primary drivers of tension and conflict between the two groups.
- Proposing strategies and collaborative frameworks to enhance peaceful coexistence and shared resource management.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background to the Study
Kakuma Refugee Camp has been in existence in northern Kenya since the early 1990s. It was initially established as a haven for refugees fleeing the Sudanese civil war. Over time it has come to accommodate refugees from other parts of Africa, including Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia and the DRC. Although all these refugees live in a designated camp, they do not live in a vacuum. Their presence in Turkana county has an effect on the social, economic and cultural environment of the host community, namely the Turkana. This issue has gained increasing prominence in the recent past as refugee flows have continued to increase, as a result of the numerous conflicts in various parts of the world, which means that most nations of the world have to grapple with refugee problems (Earl and Bouvier, 1983). Indeed, Kenya is no exception.
Refugee camps are rarely if ever built in completely uninhabited places. In most cases they are built in areas that were previously occupied by residents of the host nation. This is true of Kakuma, as the area already had a resident Turkana population when the camp was set up. Therefore, a new refugee camp is likely to have numerous impacts, both positive and negative, on the lives and livelihoods of the host population. Thus the host communities are forced to adjust to these changes, and this may bring about tension, and even conflict (Chambers, 1986). However, more attention is usually given to the refugee population, as they are in dire need of assistance, having escaped from conflict, but this means that the local population are often neglected, especially if they were marginalized developmentally before the refugees came. The influx of refugees often means more competition for scarce resources, which may lead to host populations becoming even more destitute than they initially were (UNHCR, 2011).
Summary of Chapters
1.0 Overview: This introductory chapter defines the study's background, problem statement, objectives, and research questions regarding the impact of refugees on host communities.
2.0 Introduction: This chapter reviews existing literature concerning the economic and social impacts of refugee presence and the theories regarding host-refugee relationships.
3.0 Introduction: This methodology chapter details the research design, sampling techniques, and data collection tools utilized during the field study in the Kakuma area.
CHAPTER FOUR DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS: This chapter presents the empirical data collected from respondents, analyzing the socio-cultural and economic interactions between the host community and the refugees.
CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This final chapter synthesizes the study findings, draws conclusions, and provides practical recommendations for authorities and humanitarian agencies to improve host-refugee coexistence.
Keywords
Kakuma Refugee Camp, Turkana community, Refugee impact, Host-refugee relationship, Household viability, Socio-economic, Economic development, Coexistence, Conflict resolution, Humanitarian aid, Resource competition, Kenya, Pastoralism, Refugee influx, Social integration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research study?
The study investigates the economic and socio-cultural impact of refugees living at the Kakuma Refugee Camp on the surrounding host Turkana community in Kenya.
What are the central thematic fields covered in the work?
The key themes include the socio-economic interactions, the relationship between refugees and hosts, the impact on local household viability, and the sources of conflict or collaboration between the two groups.
What is the primary research objective?
The primary goal is to assess whether the presence of the refugee camp has had a positive or negative impact on the local Turkana community and to suggest improvements for better coexistence.
Which scientific methodology does the author employ?
The study adopts a multi-method qualitative approach, including semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and documentary analysis to gain in-depth insights from both the host community and stakeholders.
What is analyzed in the main part of the research?
The main part analyzes the demographic background of respondents, the nature of the host-refugee relationship, economic and infrastructural impacts, security concerns, and the effects on the local household economy.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Key terms include Kakuma Refugee Camp, Turkana community, host-refugee relationship, socio-economic impacts, humanitarian aid, conflict resolution, and coexistence.
How has the arrival of refugees affected the local economy of the Turkana people?
The study finds that while there are conflicts over resources, the camp also created new market opportunities, increased demand for local goods, and provided limited employment prospects for the host population.
Does the author suggest that the refugee presence is solely a burden?
No. While acknowledging the challenges of insecurity and resource competition, the author highlights that the camp also provides positive impacts through shared infrastructure, trade opportunities, and improved access to basic services for the host community.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Mallion Kwamboka (Autor:in), 2017, Economic and Socio-Cultural Impact of Refugees on the Kenyan Communities. A Case Study at Kakuma Camp, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/416148
