THE NEXUS BETWEEN PROTRACTED REFUGEE CRISIS AND HUMAN SECURITY DYNAMICS IN GARISSA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

By the end of 2019, the UNHCR estimated that 42.5 million people had been displaced around the world. As a result, short- and long-term effects were felt on host communities, from humanitarian disasters to security threats. This study conceptualizes that the refugee issue and human security are inextricably linked. For example, the incessant terrorist assaults in Kenya. Statement of the problem was to bridge knowledge gap by assessing the influence of the refugee crisis on human security. Therefore, the overall goal of this research was to analyze the impact of Kenya's long-running refugee crisis on human security, with a focus on Garissa County. The specific objectives were to: examine the nature and scope of protracted refugee crisis in Kenya with specific reference to Garissa County; evaluate the nature, status, and levels of human security; determine the relationship between protracted refugee crisis and human security in Kenya with specific reference to Garissa County and; identify the barriers to resolving human security challenges in light of the current protracted refugee crisis with specific reference to four theories: the New Security Paradigm, Critical Theory, securitization and Push-Pull theories were used in this research. A descriptive survey research design was used with a study sample comprising 339 household heads including refugees' and community household heads, UN Refugee Agency staff, NGOs officials, County and National Government officials. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires and interview schedules. Secondary data was gathered from textbooks, newspapers, periodicals, and articles. Quantitative data was coded and put into SPSS Version 21.0, and descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson Correlation, Spearman Rank Correlation, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze it. Qualitative data was analyzed based on the content matter of the responses. The study found that a variety of factors contributed to the long-running refugee issue. Civil conflict, lawlessness and high crime rates, religious extremism, and the search for greener pastures are among them. A positive and statistically significant link existed between prolonged refugee crises and refugee crises (r=0.885, p0.01). Food insecurity, a lack of economic prospects, health risks, environmental degradation, rape, sexual assault, theft, burglary, and violence in the camp were all severe consequences. According to Pearson Correlation (r=0.776, p0.01), there was a positive and statistically significant association between the numerous challenges and establishing human security in Garissa County. Some of the major challenges to achieving human security included: a large refugee population; the proliferation of small arms and light weapons; pressure on the budget and service provision; the perpetuation of terrorism by some refugees; territorial and political integrity; and pressure on socioeconomic resources. The study concludes that the main reasons of the refugee crisis in Kenya are push factors from their home countries, such as civil war, lawlessness, high crime rates, and religious fanaticism. Refugees contribute to the deterioration of human security by competing for resources and economic opportunities, environmental degradation, pressure on social amenities, radicalization and terrorism breeding grounds. The study recommends a need for measures aimed at reining in on the protracted refugee crisis and also enhancement of human security which can be achieved via funding to deal with deplorable living conditions in refugee camps.