Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Kenya representative Caroline Van Buren in talks as refugee issues became a strong issue after US President Trump’s executive orders.
The meeting comes at a critical moment for Kenya as well, with the handling of refugees increasingly becoming a problem.
The country already plays host to 823,932 registered refugees and asylum seekers, according to United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHCR) data, and the number is likely to go up following the escalation of hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to Murkomen, the meeting revolved around shared programmes between Kenya and the UNHCR and the enhancement of security in the refugee camps and host communities.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen at a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Kenya representative Caroline Van Buren at his office, Friday, January 31, 2025.
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Ministry of Interior
The two also discussed the development of a refugee database, the recognition of stateless people, and the upcoming rollout of the Shirika Plan. The Shirika Plan is a government programme that aims to strengthen the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and host communities.
What is unclear is whether the two leaders discussed the precarious position Kenya now finds herself in following Trump’s decision.
Last week, Trump signed an executive order that “suspends the physical entry of aliens engaged in an invasion of the United States through the southern border.”
The order directs the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and State to “take all necessary action to immediately repel, repatriate, and remove unlawful aliens across the southern border of the United States.”
This decision is likely to affect refugees, many of whom use Kenya as a launching pad to the US and Canada.
Several refugees from war-torn neighbouring countries such as South Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia first pass through Kenya before seeking greener pastures in the US and other countries.
The decision by the White House could see many of the refugees stuck in the country at a time when even those who are in the US are not safe.
It is estimated nearly 2,000 Kenyans are on the chopping board for deportation.
Equity Kakuma Business Growth and Development Manager Daniel Makhulo (Right) discusses refugees’ banking experiences to UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements (left), who was accompanied to the branch by Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman Dr. James Mwangi (2nd Right) and Safaricom Chief Financial Services Officer Esther Masese (2ndLeft).
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Equity Group