Refugees in Kakuma and Daadab camps to be integrated ahead of planned closure

Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok addressing the press. [Immigration Dept]

Various stakeholders have adopted the planned closure of Daadab and Kakuma refugee camps which will see over 700,000 refugees integrated within the host communities.

In a press statement, Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the stakeholders have agreed on launching the integration program dubbed Shirika Plan in Turkana and Garissa Counties in November this year.

"The Shirika Plan will be jointly implemented by the Kenyan government, the respective county governments, the UN, and the United Nations Commission for Refugees, among others," the statement read in part.

According to the PS, implementation of the Shirika Plan Phase one is estimated to cost Sh 115.6b and will stretch for four years.

"This money will come from different partners and donors, including governments and the private sector. It will be channeled not only through the government but also through international NGOs, county governments, ministries, and departments such as the Ministry of Lands," Bitok said.

Under the plan, the refugees will be absorbed into municipalities within the host communities, and the latter will benefit from enhanced socioeconomic investments, including schools, health facilities, roads, and modern markets

To anchor the integration, the Turkana and Garissa county governments have also gazetted Dadaab and Kakuma as municipalities to anchor the necessary planning and infrastructure upgrading.