Socioeconomic Vulnerability and Refugee Exposure to Organized Criminal Networks in Urban Kenya: Evidence from Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi City County - Kenya

Urban refugees often navigate precarious livelihoods, constrained employment opportunities, limited access to finance, documentation challenges, and social exclusion, potentially increasing vulnerability to illicit networks. This study examined the socioeconomic factors associated with refugee involvement in organized crime in Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically, it examined the nature of organized crime involving urban refugees, assessed socioeconomic factors associated with such involvement, and evaluated the adequacy of legal and policy provisions for addressing it. The study was anchored in securitization theory and informed by constructivist theory. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The study population comprised 235 police officers, two officers from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, 520 refugees, and two National Government Administration officers. A sample of 138 respondents participated, complemented by six key informant interviews. Quantitative data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analysed in SPSS Version 25 using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Findings indicated reported involvement in human trafficking (89%), small-arms sales (78%), and technology-related crimes (60%). Refugees also experienced inadequate income, restricted movement, insecurity, congestion, and limited access to basic services. The study recommends strengthening documentation, livelihood opportunities, financial inclusion, social protection, and coordinated justice responses to reduce vulnerability to criminal networks while safeguarding refugee rights.