Kenya’s Bold Move: Refugees Keep Passports Under New ID Plan

2026-06-22 campnews

Kakuma, 23 June 2026
Kenya’s Shirika Plan removes a major barrier for 800,000 refugees by allowing them to retain passports while obtaining IDs—a game-changer for access to healthcare, education, and livelihoods. This shift could redefine refugee integration in East Africa.

The Shirika Plan: A Policy Shift for Refugee Integration

On 23 June 2026, Kenya’s Department of Refugee Services (DRS) announced a pivotal change under the Shirika Plan, aimed at transforming refugee camps into integrated settlements. The directive removes the previous requirement for asylum seekers in Kakuma and Kalobeyei to surrender their passports when applying for refugee identification cards [1]. This policy shift is part of Kenya’s broader strategy to enhance access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities for refugees [1]. The Shirika Plan, operational since 2024, aligns with the Refugees Act 2021 and its 2024 regulations, which seek to devolve refugee management to county governments, including Turkana County where Kakuma and Kalobeyei are located [1].

Impact on Refugee Documentation and Protection

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has welcomed the directive, highlighting its potential to improve protection and documentation for over 800,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya [1]. As of the end of 2025, Eastern and Southern Africa hosted 6.4 million refugees and asylum seekers, with Kenya alone accounting for approximately 841,207 registered individuals [4]. The majority of Kenya’s refugee population originates from South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo [1]. The new policy addresses long-standing protection gaps, particularly for women and girls, who have faced a median asylum duration of 17 years in the region [4].

Kakuma vs. Kalobeyei: Distinct Implementation Pathways

While both Kakuma Refugee Camp and the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement fall under the Shirika Plan, their implementation strategies differ. Kakuma, established in 1992, has historically functioned as a traditional refugee camp with limited economic integration. Refugees in Kakuma have faced significant barriers to financial inclusion, including the inability to open bank accounts or secure business credit using government-issued refugee identity cards [1]. In contrast, Kalobeyei, designed as an integrated settlement from its inception in 2015, has prioritised economic self-reliance through partnerships with host communities and development agencies [GPT]. The new ID policy will apply uniformly to both locations, but verification exercises coordinated by UNHCR will tailor approaches to each settlement’s unique context [1].

Verification and Rollout Timeline

The DRS, in collaboration with UNHCR, will conduct verification exercises in the coming months to ensure all eligible individuals receive their refugee identification cards [1]. These exercises will prioritise accuracy and inclusivity, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly. The symbolic walk held in Kakuma on World Refugee Day (20 June 2026) by UNHCR, DRS, and the World Food Programme (WFP) highlighted the resilience of refugees and the importance of safe documentation processes [6]. The rollout is expected to be phased, with initial focus on Kakuma and Kalobeyei before expanding to other refugee-hosting areas such as Dadaab [1].

Regional Context: Kenya as a Model for East Africa

Kenya’s Shirika Plan is being closely watched by neighbouring countries grappling with protracted refugee crises. Ethiopia, which hosts over 900,000 refugees, launched its Makatet Road Map in 2026, inspired by Kenya’s integrated settlement approach [4]. Ethiopia’s 2019 Refugee Proclamation, which allows refugees to form cooperatives, hold land, and access education, laid the groundwork for this initiative [4]. Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, noted that the Makatet Road Map aims to build on these reforms, stating, ‘In 2016, Ethiopia made pledges on allowing land to refugees, to host populations, to form cooperatives. We brought in investment, people being able to take care of themselves, to take their children into education and to start cooperatives. The Makatet is to help us take it to the next level’ [4]. Kenya’s policy changes could serve as a blueprint for addressing the region’s generational refugee crisis, where the median asylum duration stands at 16 years [4].

Bronnen

asylum policy refugee documentation