The Kenyan government has denied reports that refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab camps will be granted voting rights in the 2027 general elections.
Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok clarified that the Shirika Plan, an initiative aimed at transforming refugee camps into integrated settlements, does not extend to giving refugees citizenship or voting rights.
“The Shirika Plan focuses on socioeconomic inclusion, not granting citizenship or voting rights,” PS Bitok assured Members of Parliament.
The Shirika Plan represents Kenya’s innovative approach to refugee management, seeking to integrate refugees into host communities in Garissa, Turkana, and urban areas.
The initiative aims to improve living conditions for both refugees and host communities by enhancing access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic opportunities.
The government estimates the first phase of the four-year project will cost $943 million (sh115.6 billion), with funding expected from a coalition of donors, including the United Nations (UN), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), international NGOs, and private sector partners.
“This funding will be mobilized through various channels, including county governments, international organizations, and government ministries such as the Ministry of Lands,” explained Bitok.
Under the plan, refugees will be integrated into municipalities within their host communities, creating a more inclusive approach to resettlement.
Host communities will benefit from socioeconomic investments, including modern markets, schools, healthcare facilities, and road infrastructure.
As of February 2024, Kenya hosts over 744,747 refugees and asylum-seekers from over 20 countries.
Of these, 279,452 reside in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement, 364,432 in Dadaab Refugee Camps, and 100,863 in urban areas.
Somalia: 415,761
South Sudan: 175,510
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): 59,392
Ethiopia: 38,207
Burundi: 31,912
Advocacy groups working with Kenya’s refugee communities have previously called for reforms allowing refugees to elect leaders based on where they currently reside, arguing this could reduce ethnic tensions and align with Kenya’s electoral practices.
Despite these calls, the government has maintained that refugees’ integration will focus solely on enhancing socioeconomic opportunities without extending political rights.
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