The implementation of the Kenya Refugee Act: implication to national security
Abstract
This thesis critically analyses, the implication to Kenya's national security in the implementation of the Refugee Act. One of the challenges in the protection of refugees has been observed as the evolution of states from 'open-hand' policy to near hostility. The argument for this change of heart is cited as responsibility sharing (mainly by the states from the developing world) and more recently, national security. This thesis argues that the shift of heart by African states in general and Kenya in particular was equally a response to the tightening of immigration law by the developed world.
The enactment of a national refugee law in Kenya marked a commitment by the government to the implementation of its obligation to the international refugee law. The implementation of this Act will be to the best interest of Kenya's national security. However, its successful implementation largely depends on the extent to which the international community UNHCR and other actors support the Government's efforts. It will be shown that for an effective refugee protection regime, the need for the convergence of interests (international as well as national) is quite critical.
Publisher
University of Nairobi, Kenya