In the midst of sweeping reforms to its refugee system, Kenya is grappling with significant financial and logistical challenges. Refugees International has underscored the urgent need for coordinated donor support as the country implements changes mandated by the 2021 Refugee Act and the recently introduced Shirika Plan. Designed to transition from traditional camps to a more integrated model, these efforts are jeopardized by dwindling foreign aid.
The Shirika Plan emphasizes the inclusion of refugees through access to national services, legal employment, and freedom of movement. This shift is ambitious but faces a funding shortfall as former major donors, including the United States, reduce their contributions. According to the World Food Programme’s August update, this has led to a 40% cut in food assistance to the nearly 800,000 refugees in Kenya. In real terms, over a third of refugees are facing starvation, a development that has spurred protests in camps like Kakuma.
Kakuma and Dadaab, Kenya’s two largest refugee camps, have long been havens for displaced persons from neighboring countries like Somalia and South Sudan. For many, these camps are the only home they have ever known. Despite international backing from entities such as the World Bank and UNHCR, the Shirika Plan’s launch requires an investment approaching $1 billion, yet few donors have pledged support.
Compounding these issues is the marginalization of refugee-led organizations (RLOs) in decision-making processes. Having proven effective during the pandemic, these organizations operate with community trust and cost efficiency but remain excluded from leadership and direct funding roles in the Shirika Plan’s development.
Moreover, the practical application of the 2021 Refugee Act’s provisions for freedom of movement is mired in uncertainty. The Act promises freedom within unspecified “designated areas,” leaving many refugees in a legal limbo, unsure if they can reside or work beyond the traditional camp perimeters.
Kenya’s refugee policy, though forward-looking, encountered a legal hurdle when the High Court in Garissa revealed systemic registration errors dating back decades. Thousands of ethnic Somali Kenyans were wrongly classified as refugees, thus denied essential citizenship documents and services. While the court’s decision rectifies this, the implementation of the ruling remains a concern.
The advocacy for sustained international support highlights the delicate balance needed between innovative policy and available resources, as refugee reforms press on amid multifaceted challenges.