President Ruto Launches the Shirika Plan to Integrate Refugees and Host Communities

Nairobi, Kenya – March 28 – President William Ruto has unveiled the Shirika Plan, a transformative initiative aimed at fostering the socio-economic integration of refugees and host communities in Kenya.

The program seeks to transition refugee camps into integrated settlements, ensuring both refugees and asylum seekers can contribute meaningfully to national development.

Speaking at the launch event at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto emphasized that the Shirika Plan aligns with the African Union’s vision of African solutions for African challenges while addressing global humanitarian concerns.

“This is a bold, home-grown approach that acknowledges the long-standing generosity of host communities while creating opportunities for both refugees and local residents,” said President Ruto.

The initiative prioritizes key sectors such as education, healthcare, livelihoods, social protection, and environmental management. Currently, over 70,000 refugees are enrolled in Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program, and refugee identification documents are now recognized within the Integrated Population Registration System (IPRS), enhancing access to essential services.

To further strengthen financial inclusion and economic empowerment, Kenya has partnered with organizations such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). These collaborations aim to support refugee entrepreneurship and job creation.

President Ruto, however, made it clear that the plan should not be misinterpreted as an open-door policy for uncontrolled migration. “This is not an avenue for other countries to offload their populations into Kenya as refugees or asylum seekers,” he cautioned.

Governors Jeremiah Lomorukai (Turkana) and Nathif Jama (Garissa) have committed to raising awareness within their counties to ensure local communities understand and support the initiative.

The Shirika Plan is expected to mark

a significant step toward a sustainable refugee response, shifting from short-term aid to long-term integration and self-reliance.