EXAMINING THE ROLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS ON REFUGEES’ ACCESS TO DURABLE SOLUTIONS IN KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP, TURKANA COUNTY, KENYA

 This study was undertaken to examine the role of accountability mechanisms on refugees’ access to Durable Solutions in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Turkana County, Kenya. It was anchored on Transparency and Accountability Theory and employed mixed methods with explanatory approach as a research design. The study targeted a population of 305, 000 refugees from which 100 respondents were selected using Krejci & Morgan Formula. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through an online Google form. The quantitative data was statistically analyzed using SPSS version 27 applying correlation, multiple regression analyses, and Anova to test the relationships between variables. Qualitative data was analyzed after the data was coded, categorized into themes and analyzed thematically using content analysis. The findings revealed that over 36.36% of respondents agreed that weak accountability systems affect refugees’ access to Durable Solutions. This reflects a perceived lack of proper accountability mechanisms in UNHCR’s Durable Solutions framework. And about 32.86% of respondents agreed that lack of accountability mechanism within UNHCR limits refugees’ access to Durable Solutions. Together these findings suggest that weak accountability measures to be barriers for refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp to access Durable Solutions. The findings confirm that the lack of accountability mechanisms in the allocation processes of Durable Solutions by UNHCR likely fosters corruption and consequently prolonging refugees’ displacement within Kakuma Refugee Camp. The study concludes that there is a need for embedding accountability mechanisms in humanitarian programming by institutionalizing a robust accountability mechanism and adopting effective anticorruption mechanisms. The study recommends for adequate implementation of such reforms to promote more transparent processes and broaden equitable access of Durable Solutions by refugee populations stranded in protracted situations in Kakuma Refugee Camp.