KAKUMA, Kenya - A joint visit of United Nations Heads of Agencies to Kakuma and Kalobeyei concluded on 4 September 2026 with a commitment to align the UN system's support behind Government of Kenya and Turkana County priorities for inclusive public services, sustainable livelihoods and social cohesion for refugees and host communities.

Held from 2nd to 4th September 2026, the visit brought together 14 United Nations Heads of Agencies and programmatic leads, led by Dr. Garry Conille, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya, and Ms. Fatima Mohammed Cole, UNHCR Kenya Representative, alongside Turkana County Government represented by Dr. John Erus, Deputy Governor, and the national government authorities led by Mr. Julius Kavita, Turkana County Commissioner and Ms. Mercy Mwasaru O.G.W, Ag. Commissioner of Refugee Affairs. UNHCR coordinated the visit in close collaboration with the Government of Kenya through the Department of Refugee Services and the Turkana County Government.

During the visit, the delegation took stock of progress and challenges across health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, energy and social protection. It also explored opportunities to expand sustainable livelihoods, including through agriculture and livestock, and strengthen social cohesion.

The discussions were anchored in the Government-led Shirika Plan, which seeks to transition from predominantly humanitarian and parallel service-delivery arrangements towards an integrated, development-oriented approach. This includes progressively strengthening refugees’ access to national and county systems, services and economic opportunities alongside host communities, while ensuring that protection and essential humanitarian assistance continue for those who need them. In Turkana County, the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Plan (KISEDP) continues to provide a key building block for translating this vision into practical investments and results.

“The joint mission brought forth to all of us the importance of moving together as one, because we cannot separate the people. They are members and residents of the same ecosystem. If we consolidate the resources we have and put them to prudent use and proper application, it is going to be life-changing for both refugees and host communities going forward," said Ms. Mercy Mwasaru, Ag. Commissioner for Refugee Affairs.

“No single agency can deliver the Shirika Plan alone. Our responsibility as the UN Country Team is to listen to the Government, counties and communities, and bring our different mandates and expertise together behind one shared approach. What we have seen and heard in Kakuma and Kalobeyei will help us shape practical, coordinated support that strengthens national and local systems while responding to the continuing needs of refugees and host communities,” said Dr Garry Conille, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya.

"For Turkana County, refugee inclusion must translate into stronger public services, infrastructure and economic opportunities that benefit both refugees and host communities. Through the Shirika Plan, and KISEDP and its ASPIRE Roadmap for 50by35, we have an opportunity to build on what has been achieved, strengthen county systems and attract investment that creates jobs, expands livelihoods and supports the development of the entire county,” said Dr. John Erus, Deputy Governor, Turkana County,” said Dr. John Erus, Deputy Governor, Turkana County

The visit enabled UN agencies to take stock of lessons from KISEDP and develop a shared understanding of the Government of Kenya’s and Turkana County’s priorities for the continued implementation of the Shirika Plan. It identified opportunities for a more unified UN approach across sectors, supported by sustained Government and donor engagement. The lessons and priorities identified will also inform Kenya’s Common Country Analysis and the next UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

The UN Country Team will continue working with the Department of Refugee Services, Turkana County Government, other national and local authorities, refugees, refugee-led organizations, host communities, donors and partners to translate the priorities identified into coordinated and measurable action. This approach will bring together the mandates, technical expertise and convening capacity of participating agencies through a coherent UN offer aligned with Government-led implementation of the Shirika Plan and KISEDP.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the Shirika Plan: Launched by the Government of Kenya in March 2025, the Plan provides a multi-year framework for the socioeconomic inclusion of refugees and the transformation of refugee-hosting areas. It is aligned with Kenya's national and county development priorities and the Global Compact on Refugees.

About KISEDP: The Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Plan is an area-based platform that aligns Government, county, UN, development partner, private sector, and community efforts to expand shared services and economic opportunities for refugees and host communities in Turkana County.

Kenya refugee population: As of 31 July 2026, Kenya hosted 864,998 refugees and asylum-seekers, including 320,814 in Turkana County, according to Government of Kenya and UNHCR registration data.

Media contacts

UN Resident Coordinator's Office: Augustine Karani / [email protected] / +254724169487

Department of Refugee Services: Stanley Nyale / [email protected] / +254720761682

UNHCR Kenya: Charity Nzomo / [email protected] / +254790025449