By Treezer Michelle Atieno
Kenya has long been a haven for refugees, hosting over 600,000 individuals in
some of the world’s largest and most crowded camps, including Kakuma and
Dadaab. Last year, the Kenyan government announced the Shirika Plan, a
transformative initiative aimed at integrating refugees into local communities and
fostering self-reliance. This ambitious plan promises a shift from the traditional
humanitarian approach to a development-oriented strategy, but questions remain
about its feasibility and implementation.
A New Vision for Refugee Camps
The Shirika Plan envisions turning refugee camps into self-sufficient municipalities
where refugees can live, work, and set up businesses alongside local residents.
Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services Julius Bitok emphasized the
government's commitment to this new policy direction. "We want the refugees to
be self-reliant other than just relying on humanitarian assistance," Bitok stated
during a review meeting of the proposed plan. This marks a significant departure
from the decades-old policy of keeping refugees isolated in underfunded camps.
Stakeholder Engagement and Implementation Challenges
Despite the promising vision, there have been concerns about the lack of
consultation with camp residents and local communities. Victor Nyamori, a
researcher and adviser on the Refugee and Migrants Rights Team at Amnesty
International, highlighted this issue on The New Humanitarian’s podcast, "What’s
Unsaid." He pointed out that local communities were only engaged at the final
stages of planning, which led to apprehensions about the actual implementation of
the plan. "The local community are only engaged at the last stages, just to be told
‘This is the plan. This is how we're going to implement it. And you are required to
be with it,’” Nyamori explained.
Since its launch in June last year, nearly $200 million has been allocated to the
Shirika Plan. However, delays in delivery and vague details regarding refugee rights
have raised doubts. "The idea that the camps will open, and refugees will be able to
integrate fully into the national economy, with all these flowery ideas? We are
waiting to see," Nyamori remarked, reflecting the skepticism among stakeholders.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
The foundation of the Shirika Plan is the Refugee Act 2021, which established a
legal and regulatory framework to support the integration of refugees. The act's
enactment and subsequent gazettement of necessary regulations have been crucial
steps in ensuring that refugees have the legal protections needed for successful
integration.
Financial and Security Considerations
The Shirika Plan is structured as a phased approach with an estimated budget of
$943 million for its first phase, spanning four years. This financial commitment
underscores the government's dedication to making the plan a reality. However,
managing resources and ensuring security remain significant challenges.
Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai of Turkana County, which hosts one of the largest
refugee populations in Kenya, emphasized the need for balanced resource sharing
and employment opportunities to prevent hostility between refugees and local
residents. "The population of the refugees in Turkana is over two hundred and
eighty-eight thousand, more than the population of the Kakuma and the local
population causing hostility," Lomorukai noted. He acknowledged the government’s
efforts in enhancing security but stressed the importance of continuous
collaboration among Principal Secretaries in charge of Security and Immigration.
Moving Forward
The Shirika Plan is set to undergo further stakeholder validation, including feedback
from counties and Members of Parliament, before its anticipated launch on
November 1, 2024. This period will be crucial for addressing concerns and refining
the plan to ensure it meets the needs of both refugees and host communities.
As Kenya embarks on this pioneering approach, the world watches with cautious
optimism. The success of the Shirika Plan could serve as a model for other countries
grappling with refugee integration, but its implementation must be thorough,
inclusive, and transparent to truly transform the lives of those it aims to help.
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