Ruto calls for partnership in actualising refugee Shirika Plan

Speaking when he launched the plan at the State House on Friday, Ruto said that while they have made significant progress, there is still much more to be done.

“To guarantee the best chance of fully actualising the promise of Shirika, I call on our partners in development and humanitarian response, international financial institutions and other organisations to enhance their contribution to our partnership in order to renew the way we transform solidarity by investing in sustainable, scalable and inclusive solutions,” he said.

The President said the Shirika Plan is a transformative milestone in Kenya’s journey towards humanitarian leadership.

He said the launch marks a decisive step as the country advances its capacity to deliver effective, responsive and sustainable solutions.

This is aimed at giving relief to refugees and asylum seekers and protecting their dignity and uphold their rights.

“Kenya is a generous and hospitable society. As a tradition, we warmly welcome all visitors, understanding that they arrive in our land by different routes for different reasons,” he said.

Ruto noted that solidarity with people fleeing threats to life and freedom is a long-standing tradition that aligns with the society’s obligation to receive all people with consideration and empathy.

“It is not a coincidence, therefore, that our nation hosts more than 800,000 forcibly displaced persons, mostly from the East and Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes region,” he added.

However, he said, as the world faces an era where global displacement has reached unprecedented levels, it is time to acknowledge that traditional, humanitarian-only responses are no longer sufficient.

He noted that the crises we face are more complex, more protracted, and more dynamic than ever before.

He added that resources are shrinking, and the prospects of resettlement are becoming increasingly elusive.

Under these challenging conditions, Ruto said, the government must adopt a development-oriented model anchored in sustainability, inclusion, and resilience in order to continue to uphold the safety and dignity of displaced persons and to make them feel at home.

“This is why the Shirika Plan is so significant. It is a bold, homegrown solution to the challenges of forced displacement,” he said.

The plan amplifies the African Union’s call for African solutions to Africa’s problems and to global challenges.

Ruto stated that by transforming refugee camps into integrated settlements, the government is not only improving the lives of refugees but also fostering growth and opportunity for the host communities.

“This is a plan that brings inclusion to life, ensuring that both refugees and host communities benefit from shared prosperity,” he said.

“This approach acknowledges the tireless compassion of our host communities, which have provided exemplary hospitality for decades.”

The Shirika Plan also sets the stage for comprehensive policy and regulatory reforms. It aligns with the Refugees Act (2021) and embraces the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework.