Department of Refugee Services - DRS, Kenya

Partnerships matter.

On 28 April 2026, madam Fatima Mohammed-Cole, the new UNHCR KENYA Country Representative, paid a courtesy call on Ag. Commissioner Miss Mwasaru.

Their discussions underscored a shared commitment to deepen collaboration in serving refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya, particularly through the implementation of the and strengthened refugee protection.

Together, we move closer to sustainable solutions.

On this iovous and auspicious occasion of Idd ul-Fitr, marking the conclusion of the holv month of Ramadan. We extend our warmest and most sincere greetings of peace, happiness, and prosperity to all Kenyans and all refugees residing within Kenya.

As we celebrate Idd, let us cherish the values of solidarity, generosity, and mutual respect that define our communities.
This festival reminds us of our shared humanity and the bonds that unite us. We appreciate the resilience and contribution of all refugees, and reaffirm the government's unwavering commitment to their protection, dignity, and successful integration. Let us continue to foster an inclusive, harmonious, and peaceful nation where all can thrive.

May the blessings of this holy season fill your hearts and homes with joy.
Idd Mubarak to you and your families!

Strengthening Kenya’s Refugee Governance: Induction of the Refugee Advisory Committee (RAC)

The Department of Refugee Services inducted Members of the Refugee Advisory Committee (RAC), a statutory body established under the Refugees Act, 2021 from 4th to 6th March 2026. The Committee was last constituted in 2024 and plays a critical advisory role to the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and National Administration, on refugee policy and governance matters.

Kenya currently hosts over 835,000 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from the East, Horn and Great Lakes regions of Africa as well as other regions. This reality reflects Kenya’s longstanding humanitarian leadership, while also underscoring the complexity of refugee governance in an era shaped by intractable conflicts, climate change, economic fragility and cross-border insecurity.

The operationalization of the Refugees Act, 2021, the Refugee Regulations, 2024, and the rollout of the Shirika Plan signal a transition toward a more integrated, development-oriented and whole-of-government approach. In this evolving framework, RAC’s mandate is strategic. The Committee advises on refugee policy, guides deliberations on prima facie determinations, and contributes to national direction on refugee governance matters.

During the induction workshop, emphasis was placed on key guiding principles: fidelity to the law, independence and objectivity, collective responsibility, proportionality between humanitarian obligation and national interest, and institutional coherence.

The engagement was supported by the Refugee Consortium of Kenya under its Inclusive Refugee Responses in Kenya 2023–2026 programme, with support from the Royal Danish Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The partnership aims to strengthen institutional capacity, policy coherence and inclusive service delivery for both refugees and host communities.

If we strengthen institutions, we strengthen protection and security of Kenya. Strengthened coordination, strengthens impact.

Today, the Department of Refugee Services convened a high-level consultation workshop with the Refugee Donor Group, United Nations agencies and NGO partners to review the Shirika Plan Implementation Matrix.

Speaking during the event, Acting Commissioner Miss Mercy Mwasaru said that Kenya currently hosts 835,836 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from the East, Horn and Great Lakes regions of Africa.
"In recognition of the structural limits of the traditional humanitarian model, the Government launched the Shirika Plan in March 2025, anchored in the Refugee Act, 2021, Kenya Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. The Plan represents a deliberate shift from parallel humanitarian systems to integrated, government-led service delivery frameworks that benefit both refugees and host communities through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach."

The Implementation Matrix provides indicative costing to guide scale, sequencing and sectoral prioritisation. It is a coordination instrument designed to enhance transparency, clarify financing gaps and support alignment across partners. In an increasingly constrained global funding environment, she emphasised prudent resource utilisation, strengthened accountability and reduced duplication.
Data integrity remains central, including the rollout of the Single Source of Truth (SSOT) platform to support evidence-based planning.

Key milestones include Kenya’s Financial Inclusion Strategy (2025–2028), which recognises refugees within the national economic ecosystem; the 2025 telecommunications registration regulations recognising the refugee ID; and expanded development financing through the World Bank’s Window for Host Communities and Refugees supporting housing, education and healthcare.

County governments remain central to implementation, ensuring ownership and institutionalisation within devolved planning and budgeting systems.
The Commissioner also reiterated the importance of channeling resources through government systems, consistent with fiduciary standards, to strengthen national capacity and sustainability.

Through disciplined coordination under the National Shirika Plan Coordination Unit, and sustained partnership with donors and multilateral actors, Kenya remains firmly committed to advancing socio-economic inclusion, resilience and durable solutions for refugees and host communities alike.

Secure Your Future with NSSF Haba Haba!
Registration Now Open in Kakuma & Kalobeyei Refugee Camp & Host Community
Come One, Come All. Start Saving Today!
Join the NSSF Haba Haba Scheme and build your financial security.
Don’t be left behind. Register now!

What is Haba Haba?
A voluntary savings plan by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for members in the informal sector (small businesses, casual jobs, or other self-employment).
Save small amounts regularly and enjoy flexible access to your money.

Key Benefits
✅ Withdraw 50% of your savings after 5 years
✅ Get the remaining 50% when you turn 50 years or above
✅ Receive full savings if you permanently relocate to another country or become incapacitated
✅ Dependents receive benefits in case of the death of a member
✅ Earn annual interest on your savings

Contribution Options:
• A minimum of Ksh 400 per month or Ksh 25 per day
• Contribute easily via M-Pesa: Dial *303 #
Who Can Join
• Refugees and Kenyans aged 18 years and above
• Self-employed or informal sector workers (traders, boda boda riders, artisans, small business owners, farmers)
• No upper age limit or fixed income required
Registration Requirements
• Refugee ID or National ID
• Ksh 200/- activation fee

Registration Dates:
Monday 27th – Thursday 30th October 2025
Registration Locations(see photo):

Partners
ILO • NSSF • Ministry of Labour & Social Protection • DRS • UNHCR

Start Small. Save Smart. Secure Your Future.
*Register today! Visit your nearest registration centre.

Mazingira Day Celebrations – Kakuma Refugee Camp 🌿

Today, the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) joined hands with partners and the community to celebrate Mazingira Day at Kakuma Matatu Park, opposite the DRS offices.

The event brought together staff and representatives from UNHCR, Girl Child Network, Equity Bank, Peace Winds Japan (PWJ), Plan International, DRC, the Government of Kenya (led by the DCC and security team), the Municipality of Kakuma, 13 community-based organizations, and 2 schools.

The celebrations followed three days of clean-up activities in Kakuma Camp and Kakuma Town, culminating in the planting of 4,000 trees 🌳 at the DRS offices, police station, and 40 schools.

This joint effort supports the Government of Kenya’s 15 Billion Tree Initiative by 2032, aiming to green the environment and promote sustainable ecosystems.

👏 The event was coordinated by the Department of Refugee Services led by the Camp Manager and the DCC Kakuma West with sponsorship and participation from multiple agencies.

Change of guard at the Department of Refugee Services (DRS)

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. John Burugu for his impactful leadership as Commissioner for Refugee Affairs. From championing the Shirika Plan, fast-tracking Regulations to operationalise the Refugee Act 2021, and steering other high-level initiatives, his contributions have been instrumental in shaping refugee protection in Kenya.

As we bid him farewell and wish him the very best in his future endeavours, we warmly welcome Ms. Mercy Mwasaru as the new Commissioner for Refugee Affairs. Her appointment marks a new chapter in our journey to serve refugees and host communities with even greater commitment and innovation.

Strengthening Water Services in Turkana! 💧

As part of the ongoing implementation of the Shirika Plan, the Department of Refugee Services (DRS), in partnership with JICA and KEWI, has launched a customised on-site training for three Water Service Providers in Turkana County.

📍 Location: Lodwar
📅 Dates: 28 July – 1 August 2025

The training, which kicked off successfully, focuses on improving efficiency in key areas such as:
1. Metering, Billing & Revenue Collection
2. Operations & Maintenance (O&M)
3. Non-Revenue Water
4. Water Governance
5. Strategic Leadership

This initiative aims to boost local capacity and enhance water service delivery in refugee-hosting areas under the Shirika Plan.

MOMBASA | 11th July 2025

A Powerful Act of Global Solidarity at the Port of Mombasa

Today, the Government of Kenya joined hands with the Republic of Korea and the World Food Programme to receive over 25,000 metric tonnes of rice to support refugees in Kenya and across the region.

Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner for Refugee Affairs Mr. John Burugu welcomed the donation as “timely and life-saving,” coming at a moment when food ration cuts and cash assistance suspensions have impacted thousands of lives. He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to refugee protection through bold socioeconomic integration measures under the Shirika Plan.

H.E. Kang Hyung-shik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, emphasized Korea’s long-standing partnership with Kenya, highlighting that since 2018, Korea has donated rice worth $88 million to support refugees.

Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir reminded attendees that, “This is more than a food delivery but also a vessel of hope and a reminder that compassion can still cross oceans.”

The rice, donated by Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, will be distributed by WFP to support refugee families in Dadaab, Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and even beyond Kenya’s borders.

🤝 Together, we reaffirm our commitment to shared humanity, resilience, and inclusion.

Naivasha, 1– 4 July 2025

Kenya is making great strides in transforming its approach to migration and refugee governance. Through the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) Quarterly Consultative Forum supported by IGAD, key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are convening to strengthen collaboration around the Shirika Plan.

Launched by H.E. President Dr. William Ruto in March 2025, the Shirika Plan aims to promote self-reliance and inclusion of refugees in Kenya’s social and economic systems. The goal is to transition from a camp-based model to integrated settlements where refugees and host communities live, work, and thrive together.

During the forum, participants are:

✅ Reviewing progress on implementation of the Shirika Plan
✅ Sharing insights from Kakuma, Dadaab, and urban areas
✅ Discussing real-time data on migration routes and refugee trends
✅ Co-developing a roadmap for capacity building, partnerships, and policy action

If stakeholders receive timely and tailored information on migration trends, AND if they are supported with peer learning and good practices, THEN Kenya will be better positioned to implement effective, rights-based migration policies.

Together, we are working toward a localized protection environment, one that safeguards human dignity, enhances access to services, and builds resilient, inclusive communities.

The Commissioner for Refugee Affairs Mr. John Burugu, held strategic talks with the JICA team led by Mr. Ol Ayako, Senior Director for Peacebuilding & Governance. The meeting focused on JICA’s continued support for the Shirika Plan—through capacity building, HDP nexus programming, and Kenya’s participation in TICAD 2025 in Yokohama, Japan. 🇰🇪🇯🇵

Mr. Burugu applauded JICA’s generous support to refugees in Kenya and urged sustained collaboration, especially as declining donor funding continues to impact refugee livelihoods.

Strong partnerships like these are key to achieving durable, inclusive solutions.

In his speech read by the Commissioner for Refugee Affairs Mr John Burugu, the PS Dr Belio Kipsang reiterated that the World Refugee Day 2025 was not just a date. It’s a call to action.
He reminded everyone that solidarity isn’t charity—it’s a shared responsibility. "As Kenya implements the Shirika Plan, we must all join hands to empower refugees and host communities" he said.

Despite reduced global funding, Kenya continues to uphold its commitment to over 850,000 refugees and asylum seekers many of whomcome from the region. But he insisted that refugee hosting is an international obligation and Kenya walk alone.
"Let’s rally together—donors, private sector, civil society—to support the ." He urged.