THE United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has strongly endorsed Kenya’s ambitious new refugee integration program launched Friday, which aims to transform the lives of more than 830,000 refugees and asylum-seekers across the country.
The initiative, known as the “Shirika Plan” – meaning “cooperation” in Swahili – represents a historic shift in refugee management, transitioning Kenya’s massive refugee camps into integrated settlements where displaced populations and host communities will share improved infrastructure, economic opportunities, and essential services.
“Kenya is showing the world that a story of cooperation, inclusion and hope is not only possible but also necessary and of advantage to all,” declared UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi at the Nairobi launch event. “Shirika recognizes that solutions, which shift away from refugee dependency on humanitarian aid towards greater self-reliance, are possible. UNHCR is committed to supporting the government of Kenya to now turn this innovative plan into a reality.”
For over 30 years, Kenya has been a sanctuary for hundreds of thousands fleeing conflict and persecution, primarily from Somalia, South Sudan, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country hosts two of the world’s largest refugee camps – Dadaab in Garissa County with more than 420,000 residents, and Kakuma in Turkana County, home to over 300,000 people.
Under the new plan, these refugee-hosting areas will be developed into municipalities with expanded economic opportunities and improved access to education, healthcare, and other vital services benefiting both refugees and local communities.
Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto emphasized the significance of this homegrown approach during his keynote address.
“The Shirika Plan now gives us a framework to collaborate more ambitiously and pursue historic achievements that will guarantee hope and dignity for refugees, and give host communities due recognition,” President Ruto stated. He described the initiative as “our bold, homegrown solution, which amplifies the African Union’s call for African solutions to not only Africa’s problems but also global challenges as well.”
The plan builds upon Kenya’s Refugees Act of 2021 and aligns with the country’s commitments under the Global Compact on Refugees. The UNHCR has joined the Kenyan government in appealing to international donors, financial institutions, and development partners to provide sustained support to ensure the full implementation of this transformative initiative.
