President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya’s long-standing commitment to hosting refugees, describing the country as a secure and welcoming nation that has provided sanctuary to tens of thousands of displaced people over the past four decades.
In a statement on Tuesday, the President said Kenya has worked closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for more than 40 years to support refugees fleeing war, conflict and instability in neighbouring countries.
“Kenya has given refugees comfort, a home away from home, and a stable environment,” Ruto said.
He highlighted the launch of the Shirika Plan last year, a government initiative aimed at integrating refugees into host communities while promoting self-reliance and socio-economic inclusion.
The plan seeks to transform refugee settlements from dependency-based systems into self-sustaining communities that benefit both refugees and local populations.
“As this noble and ambitious plan is being rolled out, we ask the international community to support the programme,” the President said.
