Kakuma – December 3, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

The Deputy Governor, Dr John Erus, has warned that a sharp decline in international funding for refugee operations and humanitarian support risks reversing years of progress in strengthening services and promoting the socio-economic inclusion of refugee communities in Kakuma Camp and the Kalobeyei Settlement Scheme.

Dr Erus issued the warning during a high-level visit by the EU Council Working Groups on Development (CODEV) and Humanitarian Affairs (COHAFA), who are currently in Kakuma to assess the impact of the funding decline on refugee management and the broader humanitarian support ecosystem.

Kakuma Refugee Camp—one of the largest and most densely populated refugee complexes in Africa—has historically benefited from substantial support from the European Union.

Highlighting the effects of shrinking humanitarian budgets, the Deputy Governor noted that strains are already visible across critical sectors, including health services, food distribution, social protection, and livelihood initiatives. He emphasised the need for a harmonized support model, where funds are channeled through a single mechanism to avoid parallel service delivery.

“The County Government has been working closely with UNHCR and the Department of Refugee Services to bridge gaps in service provision. We had made significant gains; however, the recent rollout of differentiated assistance due to funding cuts and the rollback of activities has reversed progress previously achieved,” he said.

Dr Erus also appealed for greater support in clarifying and operationalizing the Shirika Plan and the KISEDP frameworks, warning that misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding these programs could undermine their intended impact.

On water security, the Deputy Governor urged the EU delegation to consider supporting the proposed Tarach Dam project, which he said would improve water access, boost the livestock sector, and spur industrialization in the region.

The visiting delegation—led by EU Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Henriette Geiger and Danish Ambassador H.E. Stephen Schønemann—toured key operational sites, including health facilities, agricultural farms, women and girls’ protection centers, and food distribution points, to assess the current situation and better understand the implications of reduced funding.