Building Kenya’s shift to sustainable refugee governance

As Kenya moves from emergency response to long-term refugee governance, capacity becomes the bridge between policy and practice. People need the right knowledge and tools to make the change work, so they can deliver inclusive services that benefit both refugees and host communities.

That is why VNG International brought stakeholders together in Kenya to review and validate the Refugee Management Curriculum. The forum was organised with the Kenya School of Government and The Hague Academy for Local Governance. The curriculum is designed to strengthen the day-to-day capacity needed as Kenya reshapes how it manages refugee affairs.

A practical curriculum, developed together

Participants were clear on what is needed. As Kenya redefines its approach, capacity strengthening is essential. The curriculum was seen as timely and important for supporting public officers and partners as the country shifts from a mainly humanitarian response to a development-oriented and government-led approach. This transition aligns with the Refugee Act 2021 and the Shirika Plan. Validating the curriculum together strengthens shared ownership and coordination. It helps create a common understanding across institutions and levels of government. This will advance an inclusive, coordinated and sustainable response that benefit both refugees and host communities.

Many voices around the table

The forum brought together a broad and representative group of actors, whose institutional mandates intersect with refugee management in Kenya. The Ministry of Interior and National Administration participated, represented by the Commissioner for Refugee Affairs, Ms Mercy Mwasaru. Leaders from counties hosting refugees, including Garissa, Turkana and Nairobi, joined as well, alongside embassies, development partners, refugee-led organisations and academic institutions.

VNG International thanks all partners for their active participation and practical feedback, which will help improve the curriculum further. The commitment shown during the forum is an important step towards stronger and more sustainable refugee governance in Kenya.