Framing Refugees’ Socio-Economic Rights in Kenyan Media: A Case Study of Kakuma Refugee Camp

Abstract

This study examines how Kenyan media frame the socio-economic rights of refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp, highlighting the strategies employed in reporting and the extent to which coverage informs public awareness and policy. While prior research has focused on humanitarian or security portrayals, little attention has been given to socio-economic rights, such as access to education, healthcare, employment, and livelihoods. Guided by agenda-setting theory, the study analyses how media narratives influence public perceptions and policy discourse. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on 150 media reports published between 2020 and 2025, with 50 reports purposively sampled for relevance to socio-economic rights. Findings reveal that Kenyan media predominantly frame refugees through humanitarian and security lenses, portraying them as dependent or vulnerable, with limited attention to their agency, contributions, or legal entitlements. Rights-based reporting is sporadic and largely event-driven, often linked to donor-supported initiatives rather than sustained public sensitisation. The study highlights structural and institutional challenges, including limited journalist training, resource constraints, and editorial priorities, which hinder comprehensive reporting on socio-economic rights. These framing patterns shape public understanding, reinforce stereotypes, and influence policy responses, often prioritising immediate aid over sustainable development. The study concludes that adopting rights-based and developmental-oriented journalism could enhance visibility of refugees’ socio-economic contributions, promote inclusion, and foster informed public advocacy. Collaboration between media, government, and NGOs is recommended to strengthen capacity, ensure ethical reporting, and support consistent coverage of refugees’ socio-economic rights.