Kenya’s refugee policy faces familiar obstacles

Significance

This is not the first time Kenya has taken aim at the refugee camps it hosts; it has been pushing to close them since 2013.

Impacts

• COVID-19-related movement restrictions have already complicated existing returns programmes and would hamper any new plans.
• Refugees contribute strongly to local economies and any viable returns plan will need to consider how to support former host communities.
• The threat of closure will create fear among refugee communities, as Kenya has the capacity to make their lives uncomfortable.