Refugees in Kakuma and Daadab camps to be integrated ahead of planned closure
Counties
By
Mate Tongola
| Jun 20, 2024
Various stakeholders have adopted the planned closure of Daadab and Kakuma refugee camps which will see over 700,000 refugees integrated within the host communities.
In a press statement, Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the stakeholders have agreed on launching the integration program dubbed Shirika Plan in Turkana and Garissa Counties in November this year.
"The Shirika Plan will be jointly implemented by the Kenyan government, the respective county governments, the UN, and the United Nations Commission for Refugees, among others," the statement read in part.
According to the PS, implementation of the Shirika Plan Phase one is estimated to cost Sh 115.6b and will stretch for four years.
"This money will come from different partners and donors, including governments and the private sector. It will be channeled not only through the government but also through international NGOs, county governments, ministries, and departments such as the Ministry of Lands," Bitok said.
READ MORE
Government unveils a new era of community driven tourism innovation
HIV advocates want disclosure on Kenya-US Sh323b health deal
Algiers shows Africa's struggle between radical zeal and dependency
Talanta Sports City is a brilliant reinvention of sporting culture
Local vehicle assembly grows 35 per cent in seven years
Police hiring in Coast marred by corruption, report reveals
Court fast-tracks case challenging Treasury powers
How Kenya-US health agreement betrays our privacy and the law
Under the plan, the refugees will be absorbed into municipalities within the host communities, and the latter will benefit from enhanced socioeconomic investments, including schools, health facilities, roads, and modern markets
To anchor the integration, the Turkana and Garissa county governments have also gazetted Dadaab and Kakuma as municipalities to anchor the necessary planning and infrastructure upgrading.