Kenya Launches Employment Toolkit to Connect Refugees with Job Opportunities
Nairobi, 9 April 2026
The Refugee Consortium of Kenya has unveiled a comprehensive employment toolkit aimed at helping refugees secure work across the country, with particular emphasis on empowering women and girls. This initiative addresses critical employment barriers faced by displaced populations in settlements like Kakuma and Kalobeyei, offering practical guidance for both employers and job-seekers. The toolkit represents a strategic shift towards economic integration and self-reliance, moving away from dependency on humanitarian assistance through sustainable employment pathways.
Comprehensive Support for Women and Girls
The Refugee Consortium of Kenya’s employment initiative builds upon extensive work in women and girls empowerment programmes that have already demonstrated significant impact [1]. The organisation has provided entrepreneurial capacity strengthening to substantial numbers of women, with many reporting improved ability to develop business ideas and identify funding sources [1]. Most clients have adopted saving practices, indicating a clear shift toward financial independence [1]. The toolkit specifically addresses the unique challenges faced by women refugees in accessing employment opportunities, recognising that female refugees often encounter additional barriers including gender-based discrimination and limited access to professional networks.
Technical Support and Training Infrastructure
RCK’s approach incorporates comprehensive technical support mechanisms, providing assistance to courts, police, sexual and gender-based violence survivors, gender desks, and community structures [1]. The organisation utilises vocational training, literacy classes, and sustainable livelihoods programmes whilst integrating men and boys into training initiatives [1]. Through dialogue forums and awareness creation platforms, RCK has reached numerous community members, including male champions, fostering a supportive environment for eradicating sexual and gender-based violence [1]. This foundation of community engagement and technical expertise now extends to the employment toolkit, ensuring refugees have access to both practical job-seeking skills and broader support systems.
Integration with National Policy Framework
The employment toolkit aligns with Kenya’s evolving legislative landscape for refugee inclusion. In a recent development, the County Assembly of Turkana amended its Standing Orders to formally integrate refugee affairs into the legislative framework, expanding the mandate of the Committee on Justice, Human Rights and Legal Affairs to include refugee affairs [2]. RCK played a central role in developing this Strategic Plan alongside partners including VNG International, Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS), and Inkomoko [2]. This legislative progress creates a more supportive environment for refugee employment initiatives, as the amendments reflect shared commitment to building systems that promote accountability, protection, and participation for all communities living in Turkana [2].
Accessing Employment Pathways
Refugees seeking employment opportunities in Kenya can access various complementary pathways that provide safe and regulated avenues for lawful stay where international protection needs are met [3]. Employment pathways, specifically labour mobility schemes, enable qualified refugees to work with residence rights, addressing both labour shortages and protection needs [3]. Eligibility for these programmes varies and is determined by managing organisations and destination country governments, with some programmes open to both recognised refugees and asylum-seekers [3]. The Government of Kenya must authorise departure for individuals accepted for complementary pathways, typically issuing departure authorisation to recognised refugees, though asylum-seekers have been able to depart on a case-by-case basis [3]. UNHCR provides assistance to anyone accepted for complementary pathways to obtain authorisation to depart Kenya [3]. Meanwhile, organisations like the World University Service of Canada are implementing comprehensive projects such as the seven-year STEP initiative, which aims to improve economic well-being for displaced and host-community youth in Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Dadaab displacement settings, supporting over 10,000 young refugees and host community members [5].