By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, January 12, 2026 - President William Ruto has called on the international community to rally behind Kenya’s plan to transform refugee camps into integrated, self-reliant settlements, saying global support is critical to the programme’s success.
Speaking at State Lodge Sagana in Nyeri County after meeting United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, the President said the initiative marks a decisive move away from long-term humanitarian aid towards sustainable development.
“As this noble and ambitious plan is being implemented, we ask the international community to support the programme,” Ruto said.
He noted that Kenya has long been recognised as a welcoming and secure country, having hosted refugees and immigrants for decades. According to the President, the government has worked closely with the UNHCR for more than 40 years to support people fleeing war, conflict and instability in neighbouring countries.
“For the past four decades, Kenya has offered refugees comfort, a home away from home and a stable environment in which they can rebuild their lives,” he said. The programme, known as the Shirika Plan, was launched last year and seeks to fundamentally change how refugees are hosted in the country. Its goal is to integrate refugees into local communities, promote socio-economic inclusion and reduce reliance on humanitarian assistance.
Under the plan, long-established camps such as Dadaab and Kakuma will gradually be transformed into integrated settlements that operate as municipalities. Refugees will have greater freedom of movement, access to national services and opportunities to participate meaningfully in local economies.
The government also plans to expand access to education, healthcare, livelihoods, land use and legal documentation for refugees, while investing in infrastructure and social services that benefit host communities as well.
More from Kenya
Ruto said this dual-benefit approach is designed to ease pressure on limited local resources, reduce tensions between refugees and host populations and strengthen social cohesion.
The Shirika Plan is anchored in the Refugees Act, 2021, and will be implemented in three phases between 2025 and 2036. It relies on strong partnerships between the national and county governments, development partners, humanitarian agencies, civil society and the private sector to mobilise financing, expertise and investment.
By linking humanitarian support with long-term development planning, the government believes the plan will unlock economic opportunities, stimulate local economies and reduce the long-term costs associated with protracted refugee situations.
Kenya currently hosts more than 800,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with estimates ranging between 830,000 and 870,000. Most are from Somalia and South Sudan and live in Dadaab and Kakuma, as well as in urban centres such as Nairobi.
Ruto said the Shirika Plan offers a durable solution to displacement by supporting voluntary repatriation, resettlement to third countries or full integration into Kenyan society.
