Refugee Repatriation as a National Security Concerninafrica: Kenya-Somalia Experience (2013-2018)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess refugee repatriation as a national security concern in Africa: Kenya- Somali experience (2013-2018). Three specific objectives anchored the study: To examine the factors underlying refugee repatriation from Kenya to Somalia; To evaluate the influence of refugee repatriation on the Kenya’s national security and to investigate the policy, security and the institutional framework implications of refugee repatriation from Kenya to Somalia. The study is founded on the realism theory as posited by Thomas Hobes which states that the nation state as a rational actor pursuing its national interests within an anarchical system, and an international system of self-help in which the primary concern is security otherwise defined as survival. The actions taken by Kenya were meant for its survival and protection of the security of her citizens. The World Society theory as posited by John Burton indicates that in every action against an individual, should be done within the acceptable individual human right which must be protected at any one time. For this to be effectively managed it is imperative that all actors have to be involved in the process of refugee repatriation. Descriptive survey design was used where both qualitative and quantitative data was used answer to research questions. Primary data was collected using interview guides while secondary data was obtained from journals, e-books, government reports and newspapers. Content analysis was used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the study indicate that there is a correlation between improved security in Kenya and refugee repatriation. The study also established that the government of Kenya had genuine concerns on the presence of refugees in Kenya to include the environmental degradation, impact on national security, impact on health sector, straining the economy and lastly influenced the administration of the locals. The government viewed refugees’ as1 a1 security1threat, this1 informed1 the1 government1 decision1 to1 repatriate1 refugees1 back1 to1 Somalia. The study lastly established that Kenya’s1 decision1 to1 repatriate1 Somali1 refugees1 was based on Kenya’s national interest and was guided by international, regional and national legal instruments. The study recommends the following: International community and UNHCR should provide adequate support for the refugees and compensate the Kenyan government for the environmental degradation; the government of Kenya should improve the presence of security apparatus within the Dadaab complex and measures should be put in place to improve internal security reporting mechanism within the camps and lastly the refugee repatriation process should be done voluntarily and in line with in legal instruments governing refugees affairs.