Kenya Didn Quote by Ben Rawlence
““When he asked about work, Noor laughed. Guled learned that employment in Kenya was forbidden. Like many governments anxious about asylum seekers, Kenya didn’t want Somalis taking Kenyan jobs, so all formal work with a decent salary, with the agencies and the UN, was reserved for Kenyans. Most of the camps’ economy is informal, however, and in the grey economy it was possible to get work in the market, driving, butchering, teaching in the private colleges. The””
About This Quote
Source Book: City of Thorns: Nine Lives in the World's Largest Refugee Camp by Ben Rawlence, 2016
Refugees in Kenya face legal barriers to formal employment, pushing them into informal work to survive.
In simple terms: Kenyan law blocks refugees from formal jobs, forcing informal labor.
Key Takeaway
Seek alternative income paths within constraints.
Themes
refugee rights
employment
informal economy
migration
policy
Mood
frustrated
hopeful
Type
analytical
policy‑oriented
When to use this quote
- humanitarian aid planning
- NGO program design
- policy advocacy
- community development
Key Concepts
legal restrictions
survival strategies
informal labor markets
Questions to Reflect On
- How can host countries balance labor markets with refugee integration?
- What informal opportunities can be formalized for refugees?
A Different Perspective
Informal work often lacks protections and stable income.
