Kenya

The refugee situation in Kenya is one of the most protracted in the world. The majority of refugees have lived in camps for over three decades, with new arrivals continuing over the years, primarily from Somalia and South Sudan. UNHCR works in close partnership with the Government of Kenya and a wide network of national and international partners to provide protection and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers from across the East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region.

UNHCR also supports returnees – Kenyan refugees who were previously hosted abroad and are now returning home – by providing humanitarian assistance to help them reintegrate.

In addition, UNHCR advocates for the rights of stateless persons in Kenya. In collaboration with various government stakeholders, the agency helps facilitate access to vital documentation, including birth certificates and national identity cards.

Kenya is currently undergoing a significant shift in its refugee response. The government is working to move away from a camp-based model toward more sustainable, inclusive solutions. Central to this transition is the “Shirika Plan” – a pioneering, multi-year strategy under development that aims to foster socio-economic inclusion and shared benefits for both refugees and host communities.