Global Refugee Forum 2023 ; Kenya's 7 Pledges on refugees, host community in Kenya

Geneva, 

Friday, 15 December, 2023 

McCreadie Andias 

Principle Secretary for Immigration and Citizen services Amb. Julius Bitok presented 7 Key pledges to refugee and host community affairs at the 2023 Plenary of the Global Refugee Forum held in Palexpo, Geneva. 

The 7 Pledges highlight the Government's commitment in adressing the forced Displacement crisis and responding to challanges facing refugees and host community. 

During the plenary Bitok Noted that the Kenyan Government is committed to support refugees in development planning, education and supporting institutions that manage refugees as well as recognizing stateless communities like shona, Pemba and Makonde who were recently granted Citizenship status. 

The PS Noted that in addition to these commitments, Kenya recently enacted the Refugee Act of 2021 which enables refugees to acess broader rights and support their socio-economic inclusion. 

The First pledge addressed the Government's SHIRIKA PLAN - which transforms refugee camps into Intergrated Settlements that promote socio-economic inclusion of both refugees and host community. 

The Second pledge addressed the issue on documentation where the government committed to hasten refugee documentation that will enable their legitimate recognition and easen the accessibility to services. 

Kenya's third pledge touched on Health equality promising to provide equitable, sustainable and accessible quality Healthcare to refugees and the host community. 

Further, Kenya pledged to promote Socio-economic protection which includes refugees in its social protection systems enabling them to lead a fulfilling life. 

The fifth pledge focused on driving the Intergrated development planning which is centered on the continued strengthening of governance processes while the sixth pledge addressed Kenya's commitment to eradicate statelesness, the pledge noted the need for every individual to preserve a legal identity and the rights that come with it. 

Finally, Kenya pledged to implement education and training strategies for refugees and host communities in Kenya which will equip them with knowledge and skills that will drive them into the employment sector and motivate them to create solutions to the challages that surrounds them and their communities.

Bitok noted that the pledges seek to transform refugees from the aid-based perception to the contributing members of the society who cam drive sustainable positive solutions. 

"These pledges underscores Kenya's dedication to creating a future where refugees not only find sanctuary but also thrive as valued members of the society." Bitok addressed in the statement. 

This was only the second Global Refugee Forum to be hosted as the inaugural forum was formed in 2019. 

The forum is held every four years being the world’s largest international gathering on refugees. It is designed to support the practical implementation of the objectives set out in the Global Compact on Refugees: Ease pressures on host countries, enhance refugee self-reliance, increase access to third-country solutions and improve conditions in countries of origin. 

It provides the opportunity for States and stakeholders to announce concrete pledges and contributions, highlight progress made, share good practices and take stock of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The 2023 Forum which took place from 13-15 December is co-convened by five States – Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan and Uganda, and co-hosted by the Government of Switzerland and UNHCR.