Friday, 6 June, 2025
Shirika Plan: Regional Development committee meets Immigration PS to discuss implementation for refugees and host communities
Parliament Buildings Thursday, 5th June, 2025
The Departmental Committee on Regional Development on Thursday held an engagement with the Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services, Dr. Belio R. Kipsang, to deliberate on the progress of the Shirika Plan, a landmark government-led strategy aimed at transforming the refugee response in Kenya.
The meeting comes in response to inquiries raised by Hon. Daniel Nanok, Member of Parliament for Turkana West Constituency, regarding the implementation, public engagement, and funding mechanisms of the Shirika Plan.
Dr. Kipsang outlined the government's multi-sectoral efforts to ensure inclusive development for both refugees and host communities.
He indicated that, the Programme, launched by President William Ruto on March 28, 2025, the Shirika Plan is a bold and comprehensive approach that seeks to transition Kenya’s longstanding refugee camps in Kakuma and Dadaab into integrated, self-reliant settlements.
He further elaborated that this shift aligns with global commitments under the 2018 Global Compact on Refugees and the country's Refugee Act of 2021.
He highlighted that with a current refugee population of over 849,000, Kenya remains a key host nation for displaced persons from the Horn of Africa, Great Lakes, and beyond. The Shirika Plan builds on previous models like the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Plan (KISEDP) and Garissa Integrated Socio-Economic Development Plan (GISEDP), and is being implemented in three phases: Transition (2025–2028), Stabilization (2029–2032), and Resilience (2033–2036).
The plan is anchored on four core objectives: transitioning to integrated service delivery, strengthening institutional capacities, mobilizing resources, and promoting socioeconomic inclusion. Its six thematic pillars include: Systems Building and Policy Frameworks, Integrated Service Delivery (health, education, housing, etc.), Human Capital and Skills Development, Sustainable Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Economic Development, Durable Solutions and Complementary Pathways, and Broad-Based Public Participation.
In response to constitutional obligations under Articles 10(2)(a) and 232(1)(d), Dr. Kipsang affirmed that the government conducted over 75 public participation forums between 2023 and 2025 across refugee-hosting counties including Turkana, Garissa, Nairobi, and Mombasa.
Stakeholders included local leaders, community organizations, development partners, and refugee-led organizations. Feedback gathered during these sessions shaped the final version of the Shirika Plan.
However, several committee members expressed concern that despite these efforts, a significant section of stakeholders still feel left out.
The Chairperson, Hon. Peter Lochakapong (Sigor), echoed the concerns raised by Turkana West MP, noting that his committee had also flagged similar issues.
“We conducted oversight visits to both Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps to assess the situation on the ground. Following engagements with members of the host communities and refugees, we confirmed that the concerns raised were indeed valid,” said Hon. Lochakapong.
He highlighted that while the Shirika Plan may appear beneficial on the surface, there has been a notable lack of public participation and proper sensitization among both the local community and refugees. Stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction over being sidelined in key decisions affecting the camps.
The chairperson further observed that the refugees are largely supported by the host communities, benefiting from local infrastructure and resources. However, he raised concerns over the management of refugee data, which is reportedly controlled by foreign organizations, with minimal government involvement.
“We discovered that refugee affairs in Kenya are almost entirely handled by UNHCR, with very little government presence. This is a serious issue. We need the Principal Secretary to explain how the government intends to reclaim oversight in managing refugee matters. This is a ticking time bomb, especially in terms of national security,” he warned.
Hon. Farah Maalim (Daadab) also voiced concerns from the local community, stating that refugees are reportedly contributing to environmental degradation by cutting down trees and hunting wildlife an issue he said needed urgent redress. He added that efforts to integrate refugees with host communities have not been successful, with locals feeling that the refugees are being unduly favored.
Hon. Kazungu Tungule (Ganze) questioned the abrupt halt of a previously proposed plan to close the refugee camps and facilitate the repatriation of refugees to their home countries. He called for clarity on what led to the suspension of the initiative.
Hon. Yakub Farah (Fafi) also posed critical questions to the Principal Secretary, asking whether there have been any success stories from the implementation of the Shirika Plan in refugee-hosting camps. He further sought clarity on the criteria being used to issue national identification cards to refugees, expressing concern that this could lead to competition between refugees and local residents for job opportunities advertised in the public and private sectors.
The PS explained that with existing infrastructure strained by decades of humanitarian settlement, the Shirika Plan aims to scale up schools, health centers, water access, and housing in affected areas.
Dr. Kipsang raised concerns over reduced donor funding, which has led to food ration cuts by the World Food Programme (WFP) and stalled resettlement programs. He urged the committee to consider allocating additional domestic resources to sustain refugee programs.
“The Shirika Plan is not just about refugees; it is about ensuring no community is left behind. It is a blueprint for shared prosperity, resilience, and inclusive national development,” said Dr. Kipsang.