Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has rooted for the empowerment of refugees and host communities, particularly around Dadaab and Kakuma camps, to engage in environmental conservation efforts.
Duale said there is need to engage both refugee and host communities in reforestation, water conservation, and soil management.
“We also need capacity-building programmes to equip refugees and host communities with skills in sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and environmental management can reduce pressure on local resources,” Duale said.
Duale made the remarks on Friday during a high-level refugees stakeholders’ forum in Mombasa.
National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Regional Development convened the meeting.
The committee, led by Peter Lochakapong visited Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps in the last two weeks, on a fact-finding mission.
Members assessed refugee conditions, relevant stakeholders and host community affairs at both camps and settlements in order to inform a report that is to be tabled in the National Assembly.
Lochakapong noted that Kenya has hosted refugees for more than 30 years, yet an environmental, social and political impact assessment is yet to be carried out by the National Assembly.
Duale said the forum is pertinent as Kenya continues to be a place of refuge for those fleeing conflict, persecution, and hardship across our borders.
He assured that his ministry is committed to ensuring that its policies address the specific needs and vulnerabilities of refugee populations, fostering inclusion and resilience in ways that also protect the environment.
He added that the ministry will continue to support legislative and regulatory frameworks that enable the sustainable management of resources within refugee-hosting regions.
“By integrating renewable energy solutions, supporting community-led conservation, and fostering socio-economic opportunities, we can reduce environmental pressures, mitigate conflicts over resources, and build stronger, more cohesive communities,” he said.
Duale noted that refugees and host communities alike often depend on firewood as a primary energy source.
“This reliance on biomass not only depletes forests but also contributes to indoor air pollution and increased health risks among these populations, especially women and children who are most often tasked with fuel collection,” he stated.
He said it has become urgent to find sustainable solutions that reduce the environmental impact of refugee settlements while promoting inclusive development for all.
