Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has asked key stakeholders to ensure that as the issues of refugees and asylum seekers are being addressed, locals shouldn’t be left out of the matrix.

Speaking during an appraisal forum that was held at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, the Governor said: “Counties hosting refugees grapple with high poverty levels and their plight needs attention as well. For a successful transition and integration, Shirika plan should involve these host communities in resource sharing, employment, among other benefits.”

“Turkana County Government is already a signatory to a number bilateral and tripartite agreements that seeks to integrate both communities. We are therefore committed to supporting the plan.” he added

To commemorate World Refugees Day, key stakeholders held an appraisal forum to formally adopt a pioneering plan dubbed the Shirika Plan, which is a socioeconomic hub for integrating refugees in kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps into self-reliant settlements.

Under the Plan, current refugee camps in both Kakuma and Dadaab will be restructured into modern urban centers with requisite infrastructure to serve both the locals and the integrated refugees.

Principal Secretary for State Department of Foreign Affairs Prof. Korir Sing’Oei revealed that necessary frameworks to support the implementation of the Plan are already in place.

“The Plan holds the promise of a brighter and more sustainable future for the refugees and host communities,” he said.

Principal Secretary for State Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok said that focus will now be channeled towards mobilizing resources needed for the implementation of the Plan.

He added that the funds, USD 943M (Sh.115B) will be raised by the National Government, County Governments and development partners.

Caroline Van Buren, UNHCR Country Representative and UN-Resident Coordinator Dr. Stephen Jackson also pledged to support the Plan, which is to be implemented in phases for the period 2024-2031.