Kenya's Turkana County Partners with UN Refugee Agency to Strengthen Risk Management for Displaced Communities
Lodwar, 31 January 2026
Turkana County Government and UNHCR announced a groundbreaking commitment on 28 January to integrate comprehensive risk management into all planning affecting refugees and host communities. The pledge emerged from discussions under the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Program, addressing challenges in Kenya’s second-largest county which hosts major refugee camps at Kakuma and Kalobeyei. Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus warned that unaddressed risks could reverse progress made in refugee-host integration efforts.
Framework Harmonisation Challenges Emerge
The joint meeting highlighted significant concerns about conflicting legal frameworks governing refugee and host community planning. Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus advocated for harmonising legal frameworks to avoid conflicting interpretations, specifically citing inconsistencies across the Ushirika Plan, CIDP, KISEDP document, County Government Act, and the Constitution of Kenya [1]. This fragmentation poses substantial risks to effective coordination between national policies and local implementation strategies. The complexity stems from Turkana County’s unique position as Kenya’s second-largest county, spanning 77,000 square kilometres in the north-western region [1], where multiple governance structures must work in tandem to serve both displaced populations and local communities.
UNHCR Backs Risk-Informed Funding Approaches
UNHCR’s Head of Kakuma sub-office, Sateesh Nanduri, endorsed the risk management approach and suggested incorporating these strategies into upcoming donor funding proposals [1]. This represents a significant shift towards evidence-based planning in an environment of shrinking international support. Nanduri emphasised that both UNHCR and the County Government could leverage existing frameworks, particularly the Shirika plan and the KISEDP programme, to advance risk-free approaches [1]. The timing proves critical as humanitarian organisations face mounting pressure to demonstrate sustainable impact whilst managing reduced financial resources from traditional donor nations.
Broader Regional Dynamics Shape Local Planning
Meeting deliberations revealed that host-refugee planning and integration efforts face a complex web of challenges extending far beyond Kenya’s borders [1]. Political, economic, and socio-cultural forces from refugee-originating countries significantly influence local dynamics in Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps. This recognition marks a departure from purely domestic approaches to refugee management, acknowledging that sustainable solutions require understanding of regional conflicts, economic pressures, and cultural tensions that drive displacement patterns. The integrated approach under KISEDP attempts to address these multifaceted challenges through coordinated planning that considers both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term development objectives.
High-Level Commitment Signals Policy Shift
The meeting brought together senior county officials including Dr. Albert Gamoe (Deputy County Secretary for Cabinet Affairs), Roseline Aite (County Executive Committee member for Finance and Economic Planning), and Ruth Emanikor (County Attorney) [1]. The presence of multiple Chief Officers covering areas from public works to climate change demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the risk management commitment. This cross-departmental approach signals a fundamental shift from sectoral planning towards integrated strategies that recognise the interconnected nature of challenges facing both refugee and host communities. The involvement of County Assembly representatives and KISEDP directors further reinforces the institutional backing for this collaborative framework, suggesting sustainable implementation beyond immediate political cycles.