How do we understand the drivers of domestic refugee policy in African states? This article draws on the cases of Kenya and Tanzania to argue that changes in the asylum policies of both states have been the result primarily of domestic factors, often unrelated to refugees. While international factors, such as the response of the international community to the mass arrival and prolonged presence of refugees, have contributed to policy responses, other factors, such as democratization and economic liberalization, have played more central roles. This analysis holds important lessons for future engagement with protection and solutions for refugees in the African context.