INFLUENCE OF REFUGEES’ SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES ON DEVELOPMENT OF HOST COMMUNITIES IN KAKUMA, TURKANA WEST SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Diana N. Wabwile, Dr. Anthony Alexis(Ph.D), Dr. Peter Simotwo (Ph.D)

Abstract


Refugee influx is a phenomenon with far reaching affects both positive and negative to host communities and with it the host communities. This research demonstrated how refugees in Kenya affect the socio-economic lives of the host population. It analyzed the influence of refugees’ socio-economic activities on development of host communities in Kakuma, Turkana West Sub-County, Kenya. The study was guided by two objectives namely; to examine the influence of social activities and economic contribution on development of host communities in Kakuma, Turkana West Sub-County, Kenya. Besides, the study was based on Social Constructivism and Refugee Aid and Development theories. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in the descriptive survey research design that was chosen for the study. Using Krejcie and Morgan's Table, a sample size of 136 respondents was selected from a target population of 205 individuals. Data was gathered using questionnaires and interview schedules. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the study's analysis, with regression and correlation analysis being crucial. socio-economic social activities jointly had statistically significant influence on development of host communities The Coefficient of Determination or R square stood at 0.742, which implied that 74.20% of the variation in the development of host communities  was explained by variability in the variables under refugees’ socio-economic (social activities, economic activities). The study recommends more pursuit of refugees’ socio-economic as demonstrated in the Refugee Aid and Development Theories of refugees’ socio-economic activities. Community leaders, refugees, and refugees’ organizations are encouraged to embrace training, participation in community welfare, healthcare services and acquaint themselves to the host country policies in order to improve development of host communities.

Keywords: Social Activities, Economic Contribution, Development of host Communities 


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