Kenya has long been a haven for refugees fleeing persecution, conflict, and environmental disasters. As of 2025, the country continues to host one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, with Dadaab and Kakuma camps being home to over 600,000 refugees. While the Kenyan government, in partnership with international organizations, has made strides toward improving refugee welfare, challenges persist, particularly for refugee women. The anticipated implementation of the Shirika Plan, envisioned to promote self-reliance and economic inclusion for refugees, is seen as a potential game-changer. However, the question remains: what does resettlement mean for refugee women in Kenya, especially in the current transitional period?
Resettlement in Kenya involves providing refugees with access to housing, education, healthcare, and opportunities to rebuild their lives in urban and rural areas. Beyond merely finding a place to live, resettlement also means addressing the socio-economic challenges refugees face in a host country. For women, these challenges include heightened risks of gender-based violence, limited access to education and employment, and cultural barriers that often marginalize their voices.
The Shirika Plan, introduced under the Refugee Act No. 10 of 2021, seeks to integrate refugees into Kenyan society through community-based approaches. It prioritizes education, entrepreneurship, and localized support systems, offering hope for refugee women striving to build better futures for themselves and their families. However, its full implementation is still pending, leaving many women in limbo.
While awaiting the Shirika Plan’s rollout, refugee women face persistent struggles:
- Economic Disempowerment
Refugee women often lack the resources, skills, and legal support needed to access meaningful employment. Without economic empowerment, they remain vulnerable to exploitation and struggle to provide for their families.
- Gender-Based Violence
Despite ongoing advocacy, gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue in refugee communities. Women are at risk both within and outside the camps, with limited access to legal or psychosocial support services.
- Health and Education
Healthcare services for refugee women remain underfunded and overstretched, particularly in reproductive and maternal health. Similarly, young refugee girls often drop out of school due to cultural expectations, early marriages, or the inability to afford education.
- Urban Refugee Challenges
Urban resettlement is increasingly common, yet refugee women in Nairobi and other cities face unique challenges, including discrimination, high living costs, and inadequate social support systems.
When implemented, the Shirika Plan could significantly transform the lives of refugee women in Kenya by:
- Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities: The plan envisions economic inclusion through initiatives like skills training, microfinance opportunities, and job creation. Women, in particular, could benefit from tailored programs such as support for women-led businesses or access to green jobs in climate action initiatives.
- Promoting Legal Rights: By addressing legal barriers, the Shirika Plan could empower women to access property rights, justice systems, and equitable social services.
- Strengthening Community Integration: A community-based approach could foster inclusivity, reduce stigma, and create safer environments for women to thrive.
- Scaling Education Access: Investments in girls’ education and vocational training for women could break cycles of dependency, giving them a chance to lead sustainable, independent lives.
As Kenya awaits the Shirika Plan’s full implementation, policymakers, development partners, and civil society must prioritize the needs of refugee women in ongoing resettlement efforts. Immediate actions include:
- Expanding support for gender-focused programs, particularly those addressing economic and social empowerment.
- Increasing funding for healthcare and education in both urban and camp settings.
- Establishing legal aid centers to address the unique challenges faced by refugee women.
- Strengthening public awareness campaigns to counter stigma and discrimination against refugees in host communities.
Resettlement in Kenya presents an opportunity to redefine refugee women’s futures in 2025. While the Shirika Plan holds immense promise, its delayed implementation underscores the urgent need for interim measures that address the unique challenges refugee women face. By committing to inclusive and gender-sensitive policies, Kenya can pave the way for a future where refugee women are not just survivors but leaders in their communities.
The journey may be long, but with the right strategies and unwavering dedication, Kenya can truly live up to its legacy as a sanctuary of hope and opportunity for those who need it most.
