A new report by the World Bank Kenya paints a stark picture of life for refugees and host communities in northern Kenya, revealing widespread deprivation that stretches far beyond low incomes. The findings show that most families in Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Dadaab camps, as well as host households in Turkana, are struggling with limited access to basic services, weak livelihoods, and daily hardship.
According to the report released on Friday, “in 2024, est. 85 percent of Kakuma refugees, 87 percent in Kalobeyei & 84 percent in Dadaab are multidimensionally poor, experiencing deprivation in at least 1/3 of key wellbeing indicators.”
The figures show that poverty in these areas is not only about money. Many households face gaps in education, healthcare, sanitation and housing. In Turkana, the situation among host communities is even more severe, with multidimensional poverty reaching 90 percent.
The report notes that these high levels of deprivation persist despite years of humanitarian and development support. Refugees and their host communities continue to face social and economic barriers that limit their chances of improving their lives.
Monetary poverty also remains widespread. World Bank Kenya states that “in 2024, 49 percent of Kakuma refugees, 72 percent in Kalobeyei and 61 percent of host households lived on less than Sh277.35/day (2017 PPP). Evidence reaffirms the scale of vulnerability facing both refugees & hosts.”
This means nearly half of refugees in Kakuma survive on very low daily income. In Kalobeyei, more than seven out of ten refugees fall below the Sh277.35 poverty line. Among host families, 61 percent live under the same threshold.
The findings further break down poverty rates across different regions. In other urban areas, the share of people living below the poverty line is lower, but hardship remains. About 26 percent of Turkana host households and 29 percent of refugees are below the poverty line. Refugees and host communities in Nairobi and other towns show lower poverty rates compared to camp settings, yet the numbers still raise concern.
Experts point out that multidimensional poverty reflects more than income. It captures whether families can access essential services and take part in social and economic life. “Evidence reaffirms the scale of vulnerability facing both refugees & hosts,” the report states, stressing that responses must go beyond short term relief.
The findings serve as a clear message to government agencies, development partners and humanitarian groups. Efforts that focus only on food and shelter will not be enough. Broader plans are needed to improve access to schools, health services, clean water, housing, jobs and social protection.
High levels of multidimensional poverty show that many refugee households face overlapping challenges. Poor housing, limited income and weak access to services often occur at the same time, making it harder for families to recover.
In Turkana, where host communities already face high poverty and also support a large refugee population, the challenge is even more complex. Policymakers are urged to adopt approaches that support both refugees and local residents in a balanced way.
The report draws from K-LSRH data collected between 2022 and 2024. It uses SWIFT imputations and the Sh277.35 per person per day poverty line based on 2017 purchasing power parity to produce the estimates.
The data provides guidance for decision makers and development partners on where help is most needed. As Kenya continues to host one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, the findings underline the need for broad and lasting action to reduce poverty, strengthen livelihoods and protect human development for both refugees and host communities.
