President William Ruto has officially unveiled the Shirika Plan a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming Kenya’s refugee camps into integrated settlements that foster self-reliance and harmonious coexistence with host communities.
The Shirika Plan, meaning “coming together” in Swahili, seeks to transition the expansive Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps into urban settlements where refugees and host communities can live, work, and thrive together.
This five-year strategy emphasizes economic independence, social cohesion, and mutual development.
A significant boost to the plan’s implementation comes from a $199.71 million (approximately Ksh28 billion) allocation mobilized by various development partners.
The funds are earmarked for infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and livelihood programs within the integrated settlements.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has lauded the Shirika Plan as a progressive solution to the refugee crisis, highlighting its potential to enhance refugees’ rights, mobility, and economic participation.
He emphasized the importance of full implementation and called for continued donor support to share the responsibility of refugee welfare.
However, the initiative has encountered mixed reactions.
In Kakuma, some refugees express concerns about potential loss of cultural identity and the adequacy of support during the transition.
Local host communities also voice apprehensions about resource allocation and employment opportunities, fearing that refugees might receive preferential treatment.
Addressing these concerns, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen reaffirmed the government’s dedication to refugee welfare, acknowledging security and resource challenges but assuring that humanitarian support would continue without interruption.
He emphasized that the Shirika Plan aims not only to benefit refugees but also to stimulate economic growth by enabling skilled refugees to contribute to national development.
The Shirika Plan positions Kenya as a leader in progressive refugee management, moving beyond traditional encampment models to promote urban integration and self-sufficiency.
This approach aligns with global shifts towards sustainable solutions for protracted refugee situations, offering a potential blueprint for other nations facing similar challenges.
