Project name:   Haki na Ushirikiano “Advancing Refugee and Host Communities Rights.”

Project Goal: Protection and Promotion of Human Rights among Refugees and Host communities in Kenya

Project funded by: Royal Netherlands Embassy

Implementing partners: Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK)

Country of Implementation: Kenya

Regions of Intervention: Mombasa, Kakuma, Dadaab, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kalobeyei

Duration: 3 years

Period: August 2023 – July 2026

Overview of Project

This Project seeks to contribute to a conducive asylum and human rights environment for refugees and host communities in Kenya. It aims to entrench a culture of accountability on the part of duty bearers, create an enabling legal and policy environment where refugees and host community have equitable access to justice, redress mechanisms and reporting violations of human rights. It also seeks to facilitate pathways towards durable solutions for refugees and host communities including adequate mental health and psycho-social wellbeing.

Overview of the Refugee Situation in Kenya

Kenya stands as one of the primary destinations for refugees in Africa, with a current refugee population of 577,492 individuals. The majority of these refugees reside at Dadaab Refugee Camp, Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement and urban areas (Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru).  Despite their settlement in Kenya, refugees encounter a myriad of challenges, including limited access to justice and recourse, awareness of their rights, access to psychosocial support, and encounters with law enforcement, all stemming from gaps within the policies and legal framework.

Project’s Key Stakeholders

These stakeholders will be crucial to the success of this project;

• The National Police Service
• Development Partners
• Court Users Committees
• Non-State Actors
• County assemblies and executive members
• Human Rights Defenders
• Refugee Led Organizations

Programme Priority Areas

• Participation, respect for rights, dignity and peaceful co-existence of refugees and host communities
• 2.Observance and compliance of human rights principles by duty bearers
• Redress, protection and accountability for human rights violations for refugees and host communities
• Access to mental health and psychosocial support services for refugees and host communities

Challenges and Issues to be addressed by the Project

1. Right Awareness and Integration

• Lack of awareness among refugees about their rights
• Challenges in the integration of refugees due to xenophobia, police misconduct, and limited legal recognition
• Exclusion of refugees from certain decision-making processes

2. Capacity Gaps and Legal Framework

• Capacity gaps among duty bearers in handling refugee affairs
• Inadequate training for government and non-governmental actors
• A securitized approach to refugee management
• Shortcomings in policies and regulations

3. Access to Justice and Redress

• Limited access to justice for refugees who experience human rights violations
• Delayed responses to violations
• Lack of coordination among relevant institutions
• Limited access to legal aid and representation
• Challenges in using Alternative Justice System forums

4. Psychosocial Support and Mental Health

• Escalating conflicts among refugees and host communities
• Increased exposure to trauma and mental health issues
• Challenges faced by duty bearers in maintaining their mental well-being

Project Interventions

The project will address the above identified challenges though the following key outcome areas:

Outcome 1: Improved Participation and Coexistence

• Awareness campaigns for refugees
• Training for duty bearers
• Initiatives to facilitate refugee participation in income-generating activities

Outcome 2: Enhanced Rights Compliance

• Advocacy for human rights principles and standards
• Promoting the observance of these standards by duty bearers

Outcome 3: Improved Access to Justice

• Establishing support mechanisms for victims of human rights violations
• Facilitating access to justice for refugees

Outcome 4: Enhanced Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

• Implementing programs to provide psychosocial support and mental health services
• Addressing the mental health challenges faced by both refugees and duty bearers

Monitoring and Evaluation

To ensure the project's success, a robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan will be implemented. This plan will involve:

• Identifying specific activities to monitor
• Establishing relevant indicators for progress
• Defining the frequency of monitoring
• Assigning responsibilities to key project stakeholders
• Collecting and analyzing data to measure progress and make informed decisions

Download Project Brief