Empowering Refugees and Host Communities: Bridging the Knowledge Gap for Seamless Integration

Empowering Refugees and Host Communities: Bridging the Knowledge Gap for Seamless Integration

By: Harriet Ajiambo, Public Affairs and Communication, KNCHR

Equipping the community with comprehensive knowledge about the instruments that promote and protect their rights is a core mandate of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

During a recent public dialogue forum held in Kibera, an urban refugee, referred to as 'Khalif' for anonymity, expressed his gratitude for such initiatives. "The urban refugees are scared and keep hiding because of security concerns. We do not know how to integrate with the hosts because we are not aware of the various laws that protect us. When such dialogue forums are held, we are enlightened on our rights and can now freely associate with the hosts here in Kibera," Khalif stated during a plenary session.

This forum is part of a series conducted by the Commission to continuously raise awareness about the legal frameworks guiding the protection and promotion of both hosts and refugees. Kenya has ratified several international instruments on refugees and asylum seekers, which, according to Article 2(5) and (6) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, form part of Kenyan law. These laws, along with the recently enacted Refugees Act of 2021, provide renewed hope for refugees in Kenya.

During the forum, refugees shared various challenges hindering their smooth coexistence with hosts:

1. Documentation: Refugees complained about delays in the renewal of their identity cards by the Department of Refugee Services (DRS), which restricts their movement within the city due to fear of police arrest. Many county and national government duty-bearers do not recognize refugee documents, leading to the denial of business permits and access to essential services like medical care.
2. Harassment: County government law enforcement officers frequently harass refugees, demanding bribes from those who own small businesses.
3. Lack of Awareness: Many refugees and hosts in Kibera are unaware of the laws protecting refugees. This lack of knowledge leads to rights violations, with refugees unsure of the proper channels to seek justice and redress.
4. Economic Empowerment: The Kenya Revenue Authority's failure to recognize alien cards prevents refugees from applying for personal and business pins, forcing them to operate businesses illegally. Additionally, they cannot access money transfer services via M-PESA, making them vulnerable to fraud when seeking help from hosts to access mobile money services. This is particularly challenging, as refugees must fend for themselves.

The dialogue forum, which included plenary discussions, Q&A sessions, references to the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and experiential learning from both refugees and host communities, aimed to empower both groups for seamless integration. "An empowered community will always claim their rights from the duty bearers responsibly," said Mr. Bildad Mulanda of KNCHR.

“Khalif” urged the Commission, the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK), and other organizations dealing with refugee matters to continue holding more dialogue forums and capacity-building sessions. He emphasized the importance of inviting more hosts and refugees from urban areas to raise awareness about the laws and policies protecting refugees, thereby fostering a culture of human rights and facilitating the integration process.

Mr. Martin Pepela of KNCHR taking the refugees and hosts in Kibera through the various law provisions that protect the refugees in Kenya.