This paper investigates why refugees are reluctant to move from the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya to the new Kalobeyei settlement. Kakuma, established in 1992, is a traditional refugee camp characterized by a dependency on humanitarian aid and strict policies that limit refugees’ freedom of movement and right to work. It hosts 180,000 refugees, primarily from South Sudan and Somalia, and has a thriving informal economy. In contrast, Kalobeyei, opened in 2016, is a hybrid settlement designed to promote self-reliance among both refugees and host communities. It offers market-based self-reliance opportunities, such as cash-based assistance programs and subsistence agriculture, and provides integrated services. Kalobeyei accommodates 38,000 refugees and 2,000 local Turkana residents.
The authors employ a mixed-methods approach, combining survey methods, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups conducted between September and December 2016. The survey data encompasses 1,976 individuals living in and around the Kakuma camp, including 461 refugees from South Sudan, 456 from Somalia, 439 from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and 605 Turkana residents from nearby villages. The questionnaire addressed various topics such as demographics, economic activities, income, assets, networks, social protection, and health, along with a specific module on perceptions regarding the new Kalobeyei settlement.
Main findings:
- Refugees and local hosts are relatively well-informed about the Kalobeyei initiative, with 87 percent of refugees and 71 percent of Turkanas having heard about it.
- Despite being aware of the Kalobeyei settlement, most refugees are not interested in relocating there, even if land is provided. Among those who had heard about the Kalobeyei settlement, only 7 percent of refugees expressed interest in relocating there. This percentage increases to 16 percent if agricultural land is provided.
- A significant number of refugees prioritize maintaining access to existing opportunities and resources in Kakuma camp. For many South Sudanese new arrivals, relocation to Kalobeyei is undesirable due to fears of losing access to social services (46 percent) and existing housing. Similarly, Congolese and Somali refugees are concerned about losing access to third-country resettlement opportunities if they move to Kalobeyei, with 43 percent of Congolese and 32 percent of Somali refugees reporting this fear.
- Another major reason for reluctance to move to Kalobeyei is the potential disruption of communal-support networks in Kakuma camp. Refugees in Kakuma rely heavily on their fellow refugees for daily food and petty cash, which are important sources of social protection. Friends, family, and community are cited as more important sources of social protection than international organizations, especially for emergency needs or daily food. Additionally, community networks provide economic opportunities as well as physical protection from Kenyan authorities.
- Some refugees fear losing their existing income-generating means by moving to Kalobeyei. Many refugee business owners in Kakuma are cautious about relocating, as they do not perceive Kalobeyei as an attractive market.
- The provision of a plot of land for farming, a central pillar of self-reliance promotion in Kalobeyei, does not appear to be an attractive incentive for many refugees in Kakuma. Refugees, especially those who have been in Kakuma for years, believe that commercial farming is not viable due to the arid climate, poor soil quality, and limited access to water.
The authors conclude that social networks and access to important forms of social capital explain why many refugees in Kakuma decline the opportunity to relocate to the Kalobeyei settlement, despite its ostensibly greater opportunities for self-reliance. The implication is that self-reliance must be conceived as going beyond a purely individualistic or economic perspective, to include an adequate recognition of the role of social networks and social capital within self-reliance.