When are Visitors a Blessing? An Examination of Hosts’ Perceptions on the Socio-Economic Impact of Forced Migration in Garissa County, Kenya

Among scholars, practitioners and policy makers, the conclusion that the East and Horn of Africa is both an origin and host to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants is undisputed. Studies delving into the nature of humanitarian assistance, protection and the search for durable solutions are replete with explanations on the nature and effects of forced migration but mostly focus on migrants. Notably, there is scanty or anecdotal explanatory research on hosts’ perceptions of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. There is a dearth of scholarly contributions on the perspectives of the host communities on the impact forced migration has on them. This paper utilizes the social exchange theory in conceptualizing the basis for understanding how and why hosts perceive refugees and displaced people as either impacting positively or negatively on their lives. The concept of ‘social exchange as a frame of reference’ dwells on the transaction mode (resulting in a cost-benefit analysis) that the hosts engage in while evaluating their relationship from a reward-punishment scheme. This study investigated the relationship between the hosts and the refugees, asylum seekers and migrants by asking questions relating to how successful the relationship has been in terms of rewards, how overt or inert stimuli from the surrounding has contributed to generosity or hostility towards the visitors, whether the presence of visitors led to deprivation or satiation on the part of the hosts and the amount in terms of value resulting from hosting refugees. Data for this study was obtained through interviews, focused group discussions and informal discussions with residents of Garissa County in Kenya. The study also benefitted from secondary data. This study contributes to greater understanding in the current yet nascent debate on the impact of refugees on host communities from an approval/disapproval prism.