UDA MP Rejects Ruto’s Shirika Plan To Integrate Refugees
Daniel Epuyo Nanok, a Turkana West Member of Parliament, has criticized President William Ruto’s Shirika Plan, which aims to integrate refugees into host communities and was launched on Friday.
The Shikira Plan for Refugees seeks to improve the socioeconomic involvement of refugees in the country by converting camps into integrated villages for both refugees and asylum seekers.
The United Democratic Movement (UDA) MP claims that the administration should have sought public input before opting to integrate refugees into localities.
Nanok contends that the county cannot currently feed, care for, and cater to its citizens in order to assimilate refugees in desperate need.
Turkana West MP Daniel Epuyo rejects Shirika Plan, cites lack of consultation
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) March 29, 2025
Video By Bakari Ang'ela pic.twitter.com/A8oYjczqNn
”We as a hosting community are already challenged; we don’t have enough resources for ourselves. We have enough land, yes, but not all our land can be used for activities,” the MP stated.
“In short, can the government plan for the Kenyans first? Can we be prepared and be given these facilities—water, education, food, health, and infrastructure—so that when we host these refugees, they become beneficiaries of what is already available?” Nanok argued.
According to the MP, it is problematic that the government planned for refugees while failing to prioritize the needs of its own citizens.
The MP is now urging the government to obey the Constitution and urge Kenyans to participate before completely executing the proposal.
“As a community, can we be given meaningful engagement on the issue of the Shirika Plan, on the question of the integration and the question of hosting the refugees?” the MP demanded.
During the launch, the president stated that the government needs to devise a plan to absorb the refugees despite limited resources in communities.
Ruto promised to generate more possibilities for both refugees and locals.
At @StateHouseKenya, Nairobi, launched the Shirika Plan, a landmark initiative that integrates refugees with host communities in our country.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) March 28, 2025
This will upgrade our refugee management, shifting from humanitarian dependency to a more inclusive and progressive development model… pic.twitter.com/CaEn1ehpCU
“The Shirika Plan is our bold, homegrown solution, which amplifies the African Union’s call for African solutions to not only Africa’s problems but also global challenges as well,” he stated.
While granting Kenya a Ksh155 billion loan in 2024, the World Bank, under the Kenya Fiscal Sustainability and Resilient Growth Development Policy Operation (DPO), imposed requirements on Kenya, including the integration of 400,000 refugees into the economy by 2027.
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Meanwhile, UNHCR Commissioner Filippo Grandi praised President Ruto’s effort.
The #ShirikaPlan is now launched 🇰🇪
— UNHCR KENYA (@UNHCR_Kenya) March 28, 2025
This government-led initiative will transition camps into integrated settlements, strengthening Kenya’s approach to refugee inclusion.
UNHCR welcomes this step and continues to support policies that enable protection and self-reliance. pic.twitter.com/W2FiAtT3hq
“Kenya is showing the world that a story of cooperation, inclusion, and hope is not only possible but also necessary and of advantage to all,” Grandi said.
“Shirika recognises that solutions that shift away from refugee dependency on humanitarian aid towards greater self-reliance, are possible.”
The UNHCR has pledged to assist Kenya in this project.
UDA MP Rejects Ruto’s Shirika Plan To Integrate Refugees
