The government has been focusing on capacity building and social support for refugees rather than direct financial aid.
Through the Department for Refugee Services (DRS), the urban-based refugees are encouraged to form Community-Based Organisations (CBO) not only for self-reliance but to acquire skills and seek employment.
In an exclusive interview with KNA, Commissioner for Refugee Affairs in Kenya John Burugu said that to bolster employment prospects for refugees, the government is implementing programmes such as the National Youth Opportunity for Training and Advancement (NYOTA) programme, supported by the World Bank, which aims to enhance skills of both refugees and host communities in the fields of plumbing, masonry, and carpentry.
“This initiative, which builds on the successful Kenya Youth Employment Opportunities Program (KEYOP), means opening opportunities for skills to enhance the refugees’ employability and move away and ease from government supporting them fully,” he explained.
Kenya passed the Refugee Act 2021 and published a regulation to implement it in 2024.The government, together with the UNHCR, is developing a Shirika plan to transform refugee camps into integrated settlements that support the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and host communities.
The Shirika Plan is a shift in refugee policy from aid-dependency to refugee self-reliance and development, with the new approach to refugee management aiming to promote self-sufficiency and development, and transition from the current protracted refugee camps to integrated settlements where refugees and members of the host communities can live side by side and benefit from inclusion in national services.
According to Burugu, who was speaking on the situation in Kiambu, despite the refugee population in Kiambu as a cosmopolitan county being unclear, most of them reside in the areas of Ruiru.
Burugu noted a recent influx of refugees from Kakuma had seen some of the refugees flee to urban areas, but with the safety measures having been resolved, some of them are returning to camp.
He said that in Kiambu, the DRS has been emphasising the importance of coexistence, saying there are outreach officers who are actively engaging with the refugee community to ensure safety and integration with the host population.
“The cooperation between the Kiambu County government and various NGOs is pivotal for refugee support, and the County has assisted particularly in coordinating logistics and security for relocating refugees. Services such as healthcare and education are also provided with the help of local authorities, who work to ensure that refugees can access necessary resources like antenatal and schooling for children,” he explained.
In terms of healthcare, Burugu said that refugees in Kiambu are supported through arrangements with UNHCR and local NGOs.
“Refugees are able to access medical attention through an arrangement and support by UNHCR and called to attention to the need for better integration of refugee health matters into the county’s Comprehensive Integrated Development Program (CIDP) to ensure sustained support.
Safety, he noted, remains a priority and said there are no recent security challenges since the significant relocation of refugees from Kakuma and highlighting the peaceful coexistence of refugees and the host community.
“Many of the urban refugees coexist peacefully, and we have not had any security challenges, and this means that the ongoing engagement with local security teams is solid as it ensures that any incidents are promptly addressed,” he added.
The commissioner shared with KNA the success story of Abdullah Mire, who is a Nansen winner for the 2023 Global Award and a former refugee from Somalia who has championed the right to education by donating 100,000 books to fellow refugees.
He further shared the success story of Nhial Deng, a South Sudanese refugee, writer, and community activist who spent 11 years in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya and now attends Huron University in Canada, while also advocating for an increase in fully funded scholarship programs for refugees.
Burugu, however, acknowledged that despite some of the successes, it is not always smooth sailing and that more often than not some refugees grapple with the psychological impact of displacement, reminiscing about their homes and previous lives.
He stated, “Our support provides hope, away from home,” acknowledging the dual burden of seeking daily sustenance while also managing emotional scars from past traumas.”
Burugu went ahead and confirmed that many urban refugees residing in Kiambu have found ways to earn a living and contribute to the local economy through small businesses and community initiatives, adding that though it hasn’t been easy due to language barriers, traditional, and even cultural differences.
Most CBOs established by refugees, at times in collabouration with the Kenyan community, provide much-needed social support and even provide Swahili lessons, life skills, and even facilitating links to labour opportunities.
Ubah Amina Hussein, a 43-year-old Ethiopian refugee, said she had faced challenges in obtaining her necessary documentation to secure employment.
In an interview with KNA, Ubah shared her 28-year journey in Kenya, highlighting the challenges she faced as a mother of five while searching for a better life.
Originally residing in Eastleigh, Ubah was compelled to move due to security concerns, underscoring the struggles many families endure in their pursuit of safety and stability.
Residing in Kenya, Ubah, however, expressed her appreciation for the country’s hospitality and her desire to become a Kenyan citizen and thanked the support she has received from the Office of Refugee Department Headquarters.
“I have successfully applied for my refugee documents, which are currently being processed,” she explained.
Ubah’s journey highlights the resilience of refugees seeking a better life in a welcoming environment.
As Kiambu continues to navigate the complexities of refugee support and integration, the collaborative efforts between government agencies, NGOs, and the local community remain crucial, and with the insights from Commissioner John Burugu, most refugees who are getting the necessary documents and support from the government are able to juggle and make ends meet even as they rebuild their lives in a new environment.
Nationwide, the current refugee count stands at 796,331, primarily housed in Dadaab and Kakuma camps. This comprises 72 per cent refugees and 28 per cent asylum-seekers.
By Magdaline Wangechi
