President William Ruto has unveiled the Shirika Plan, a transformative strategy aimed at integrating refugee camps in Dadaab (Garissa County) and Kakuma-Kalobeyei (Turkana County) into self-sufficient settlements.
The initiative seeks to resolve long-standing tensions between refugees and host communities caused by resource scarcity and limited access to basic services. By promoting socio-economic inclusion, the plan will provide improved access to healthcare, education, roads, and financial services for both refugees and residents.
Speaking at the launch event at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto emphasized that Kenya’s longstanding commitment to hosting refugees—currently over 800,000 from East and Central Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes region—must evolve to ensure their dignity and meaningful contribution to national development.
“We have hosted refugees for more than 30 years. It is time to develop a plan that allows them to live in dignity, as per international regulations, while enhancing their socio-economic contribution to Kenya and the region,” he stated.
President Ruto also called for an African-led approach to address refugee challenges, stating:
President William Ruto has unveiled the Shirika Plan, a transformative strategy aimed at integrating refugee camps in Dadaab (Garissa County) and Kakuma-Kalobeyei (Turkana County) into self-sufficient settlements.
The initiative seeks to resolve long-standing tensions between refugees and host communities caused by resource scarcity and limited access to basic services. By promoting socio-economic inclusion, the plan will provide improved access to healthcare, education, roads, and financial services for both refugees and local residents.
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Speaking at the launch event at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto emphasized that Kenya’s longstanding commitment to hosting refugees—currently over 800,000 from East and Central Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes region—must evolve to ensure their dignity and meaningful contribution to national development.
“We have hosted refugees for more than 30 years. It is time to develop a plan that allows them to live in dignity, as per international regulations, while enhancing their socio-economic contribution to Kenya and the region,” he stated.
President Ruto also called for an African-led approach to address refugee challenges, stating:
“We need to find a regional mechanism to manage our affairs better and minimize the displacement of people within the continent.”
“We need to find a regional mechanism to manage our affairs better and minimize the displacement of people within the continent.”
