Beyond Policy: The Contributions of Formal and Informal Institutions on Urban Refugee Integration in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

This paper examines the contribution of formal and informal institutions on the integration of urban refugees in Nairobi, Kenya. By examining the influence of the regulatory pillar, the normative pillar and the cultural cognitive pillar on urban refugees’ integration, this paper argues that the formal institutions, embodied by the Kenyan government and the UNHCR are not strong enough to support sustainable integration and are emitting policies and restrictions that create barriers to integration. To compensate, informal institutions, such as norms and networks, fill the gap of the institutional void and offer opportunities for urban refugees to integrate. However, those opportunities for integration are limited and without a supportive regulatory pillar, urban refugees experience integration as a long-term process rather than as an attainable objective.