An overview of normative frameworks for the protection of development-induced IDPs in Kenya

Abstract

Based on the assumption that development induced displacement brings new challenges that the existing protection frameworks may not be aptly suited to deal with, this article analyses how the existing laws have met this challenge and the prospects for further improvement. While its focus is on Kenya, it evaluates the normative quality of protection and standards offered by regional instruments against the existing, as well emerging, parameters for implementation at the domestic level. In this regard, the article examines the propriety of Kenya's newly promulgated law on internal displacement in providing for protection for the development induced IDPs, the implementation programme that it establishes and its prospects for furthering the vision of the UN Guiding Principles on Internally Displaced and other regional instruments.