Shirika Plan to turn refugee camps into thriving urban centres

President William Ruto and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Mr Filippo Grandi during the launch of the Shirika Plan at State House, Nairobi. [ELLY OKWARE/PCS]

Plans are underway to transform Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps into integrated and self-sustaining urban centres through the financing by Kenya’s Shirika Plan.

Launched by the government in March 2025, the Shirika Plan is a policy shift from traditional humanitarian aid toward inclusive development, recognising refugees as active contributors to Kenya’s economy.