Policy Brief: The Religious Dimensions of Refugees in Kenya

November 15, 2015

Kenya faces a protracted refugee crisis that is a human tragedy and strains national and international resources. The crisis includes significant and complex religious dimensions ranging from the central roles of religious beliefs and practices in refugee lives and the work of many faith-inspired organizations. The refugee challenge also exacerbates Christian-Muslim tensions in Kenyan society nationally but especially in the areas where camps are located. This brief is part of a county-level mapping project investigating the intersection of religion and development in Kenya. Examining how religious beliefs and faith institutions are involved in the lives of refugees adds to an appreciation of its human dimensions and points to policy insights that could enhance domestic and regional stability and help link Kenya’s humanitarian and development agendas.