Ministry of Interior and Refugee Donor Group Convene in Nairobi to Mobilize Sustainable Financing for Kenya’s Shirika Plan

The Government of Kenya has intensified strategic implementation of its groundbreaking 12-year Shirika Plan, convening a multi-stakeholder roundtable in Nairobi alongside international development partners and the Refugee Donor Group.

The high-level session was led by Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, Principal Secretary for Immigration Dr. Belio Kipsang, Commissioner for Refugee Affairs Madam Mwasaru Mercy, Garissa Governor H.E. Nathif Jama, and Turkana Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus.

The Shirika Plan represents a whole-of-government and whole-of-society model designed to transform refugee settlements—primarily in Garissa (Dadaab) and Turkana (Kakuma/Kalobeyei) counties—into self-sustaining, integrated economic municipalities.

Key strategic action areas and institutional deliverables established during the meeting include:

• Predictable & Sustainable Financing: Mobilizing multi-year, predictable financial commitments from the Refugee Donor Group to support infrastructure, education, and health integration.

• Sovereign Data Governance & National Systems: Developing a government-owned, centralized refugee database to enhance national security, demographic planning, and social service delivery.

• Policy & Institutional Frameworks: Establishing a dedicated government task force to lead the drafting and operationalization of a comprehensive National Refugee Management Policy.

• County-Level Integration & Shared Prosperity: Aligning humanitarian interventions with county integrated development plans (CIDPs) in Garissa and Turkana to ensure host communities and refugees benefit equally from public investments.

By shifting focus from open-ended aid dependency toward municipal integration and self-reliance, Kenya sets a new standard for sustainable refugee governance in Africa.

Why This Matters

For sub-national economies and development planning, the Shirika Plan serves as an Engine for Regional Economic Integration and a Catalyst for Municipal Market Development. Integrating refugees into local economies turns refugee settlements into commercial hubs, stimulating trade, attracting private investment, and expanding tax bases for host counties.

From a macroeconomic perspective, the initiative highlights the Sovereignty of National Data Governance and Social Policy COMMAND. Transitioning to a government-owned refugee database and state-led management policy ensures Kenya maintains full sovereignty over its security, demographic planning, and humanitarian financing on self-reliant terms.

Opportunities

• B2B Municipal Infrastructure Development, Water Works & Affordable Housing: High commercial scope for civil contractors and urban developers to build permanent infrastructure in Turkana and Garissa counties.

• Digital Identity Systems, Sovereign Database Tech & Biometric Integration: Substantial demand for gov-tech vendors, database architects, and cybersecurity firms to build the state-owned refugee database.

• Microfinance, Agricultural Value Chains & MSME Enterprise Support: Openings for microfinance institutions, agricultural suppliers, and vocational trainers to support entrepreneurship in integrated settlements.

• Development Finance Consulting, Policy Advisory & Impact Auditing: Project opportunities for policy consultancies, legal advisories, and ESG auditors guiding Shirika Plan implementation and donor reporting.

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