Local Kenyan Assemblies Reform Laws to Formally Integrate Refugees
Nairobi, 3 August 2026
Kenyan county assemblies are rewriting local laws to formally include refugee affairs in government, bridging the gap between progressive national policies and daily camp realities.
Turkana County Leads with Legislative Reforms
In a pioneering effort to bridge the gap between progressive national policies and local realities, the Turkana County Assembly has formally integrated refugee affairs into its legislative framework [1]. Partnering with the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) and other development organisations, the assembly launched its amended Standing Orders and a new Strategic Plan [1]. This landmark reform expands the mandate of the assembly’s Committee on Justice, Human Rights and Legal Affairs, renaming it the Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Legal and Refugee Affairs [1]. This institutional shift ensures that refugee-related matters are formally overseen by local lawmakers, promoting structured public participation and inclusive governance [1].
Sustaining Progress Through Institutional Support
The legislative amendments in Turkana align with the principles of public participation enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution [1]. According to the Speaker of the Turkana County Assembly, the Rt Honourable Charles Lokioto, these reforms directly address emerging governance needs [1]. The initiative is supported by the Inclusive Refugee Response Programme (IRRP), funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, alongside key partners such as VNG International, the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS), Inkomoko, and UNHCR [1]. Mr Barlet Colly Jaji, the Executive Director of RCK, emphasised that such policies are vital for recognising the dignity and socio-economic contributions of displaced populations [1].
Garissa County Initiates Partnership with UNHCR
Following Turkana’s precedent, the Garissa County Assembly commenced formal discussions with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on 1 August 2026 to establish a structured partnership for refugee governance [4][5]. This collaboration focuses on domesticating the national Refugees Act at the county level and rolling out the Garissa Integrated Socio-Economic Development Plan (GISEDP) [4][5]. Led by Speaker Abdi Idle Gure and UNHCR Deputy Country Representative Robin Ellis, the initiative aims to strengthen legislative oversight and expand civic participation through programmes such as the Ward Youth Champions Programme [4][5].
Bridging the Policy Gap for Long-Term Integration
These local-level legislative reforms are critical steps toward implementing the national Shirika Plan, which seeks to transition refugee management from short-term humanitarian aid to long-term socio-economic integration [4][5]. In Garissa, this partnership directly impacts the Dadaab Refugee Complex, one of the world’s oldest and largest refugee settlements [4]. Speaker Gure noted that a structured partnership with UNHCR will ensure public resources are used prudently to benefit both refugees and host communities [4]. Meanwhile, RCK continues to advocate for these progressive legal frameworks to translate into daily improvements on the ground, addressing persistent challenges such as documentation delays and barriers to formal employment in camps like Kakuma and Kalobeyei [GPT].