Kenya hosts more than 800,000 refugees: Ruto says during Shirika Plan launch

During the official launch of the Shirika Plan on Friday, the president explained that the government needed to devise a plan to accommodate the refugees despite scarce resources within communities. 

He noted that with the launch of the Shirika Plan, aimed at absorbing refugees into host communities, more opportunities would be created for refugees and locals alike. 

"The Shirika Plan is our bold, homegrown solution which amplifies the African Union’s call for African solutions to not only Africa’s problems but also global challenges as well," he stated. 

"The Plan’s strategy to transform refugee camps into integrated settlements gives inclusion a new expression by promoting the creation of opportunity in a manner that intentionally benefits refugees and host communities alike."

The head of state added that the new plan fulfilled the government's strategy to include refugees in county development plans by integrating them into the education, healthcare and financial systems. 

"As I speak to you, more than 70,000 refugees are enrolled for universal health coverage under the Social Health Insurance Fund, while IDs for refugees are recognised by the Integrated Population Registration System," the president noted. 

He called on international partners to enhance their contribution to transform the plan into reality. 

Shirika Plan was actualised under the Refugees Act No.10 of 2021, which provided a legal framework for the government to provide long-term solutions for refugees.

The plan involved integrating refugees into host communities to create equal opportunities for refugees, such as access to transportation, amenities and services.