Turkana County Amends Laws to Formally Include Refugee Rights
Kakuma, 11 September 2026
Turkana County has amended its legislative framework to formally integrate refugee affairs, a historic step to secure inclusive health, water, and education services for displaced populations.
A New Legislative Framework for Inclusion
The Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) recently partnered with the County Assembly of Turkana to launch its amended Standing Orders and a new Strategic Plan [1]. This collaborative effort formally integrates refugee affairs into the county’s legislative framework, marking a significant step towards inclusive governance [1]. Specifically, the local government has expanded the mandate of the Assembly’s Committee on Justice, Human Rights and Legal Affairs, officially renaming it the Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Legal and Refugee Affairs [1]. This institutional shift ensures that displaced populations are no longer left out of local policy decisions [1].
Collaborative Support and Service Goals
This reform was achieved through technical, legal, and policy support provided by RCK under an existing Letter of Agreement (LoA) with the Assembly [1]. A wide range of international partners supported the process, including VNG International, the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS), Inkomoko, UNICEF, DANIDA, UNHCR, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands [1]. These changes align with the ongoing Inclusive Refugee Response Programme (IRRP), funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, which aims to improve access to basic services like health, water, and education, whilst fostering peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities [1].
How to Participate and Access the Services
To benefit from these reforms, refugees living in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, alongside host community members in Turkana County, can actively engage in local governance [1][GPT]. Under the Kenyan Constitution, public participation is a mandatory principle [1]. Displaced individuals and host residents are eligible to attend public hearings and submit petitions directly to the newly expanded Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Legal and Refugee Affairs regarding local service delivery, such as water security and schooling infrastructure [1][GPT]. There are no strict deadlines for submitting views, as the County Assembly has already commenced the implementation phase of its Strategic Plan [1]. For direct legal aid or governance advocacy, individuals can contact RCK’s Legal Aid and Governance Pillar [2].
Dignity and Future Outlook
According to Mr Barlet Colly Jaji, the Executive Director of RCK, these structural updates are vital because they formally recognise the dignity and contributions of displaced populations [1]. The Rt Honourable Speaker Charles Lokioto also stated that these legislative changes directly address emerging governance needs and uphold constitutional principles of inclusion [1]. As the implementation phase moves forward, RCK has committed to providing continuous institutional support to ensure that resource allocation for health, education, and water remains equitable and sustainable for everyone in the region [1].