Partnership for improving prospects for forcibly displaced persons and host communities (PROSPECTS) in Kenya

Kenya

Kenya has hosted refugees for the last three decades and currently hosts approximately 860,000 refugees and asylum-seekers as of August 2025, making it the fifth-largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. Over 80% live in Dadaab (Garissa County), Kakuma camp, and the Kalobeyei Settlement (Turkana County). The majority are from Somalia and South Sudan, with others from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Burundi. These arid and semi-arid host regions face recurrent droughts and limited livelihood opportunities, affecting both refugees and local communities.

Kenya has taken important steps in shaping its refugee policies towards greater socio-economic inclusion. In 2021, a new Refugee Act came into force that expands refugees’ rights to movement, work, and access to services. The Shirika Plan, a government led initiative launched in March 2025, aims to transition refugee hosting from camp-based approach towards more integrated settlement models, fostering self-reliance and inclusion within host communities.

PROSPECTS at work in Kenya

The PROSPECTS Partnership – jointly led by the ILO, UNICEF, UNHCR, the World Bank and IFC – works in:

• Turkana County (Kakuma & Kalobeyei Settlement): One of the world’s largest refugee-hosting areas, home mainly to South Sudanese refugees, alongside communities from Somalia, DRC, Ethiopia, and Burundi. The area reflects decades of displacement and opportunities for innovation and enterprise.
• Garissa County (Dadaab): Established in the early 1990s, Dadaab is one of Africa’s oldest refugee settlements. Generations have grown up here, with the vast majority being Somali nationals.

Building resilience and opportunities

In Phase 1, PROSPECTS laid the ground towards support to national and county-led efforts to expand education, skills training, protection, and livelihoods for refugees and host communities. New skill areas were explored based on the labour market information, Vocational training centres in Garissa and Turkana equipped, and instructors were upskilled to deliver the market-driven courses. In 2024 the Recognition of Prior Learning policy was launched to formally assess and certify skills gained outside formal education by hosts and refugees.

PROSPECTS also promoted entrepreneurship through deployment of ILO Business Development Tools expanded access to finance through partnerships with financial institutions, and piloted rural employment services that connect job seekers to training and job openings both online and offline. Market Systems were strengthened to support value chains such as poultry and camel milk, creating new opportunities for enterprise and income generation for women and youth. In addition, social protection coverage was extended to informal and refugee workers through support to the Electronic Single Registry and registration in various voluntary schemes including social health insurance and pension.

In Phase 2 (2024–2027), PROSPECTS will scale up proven approaches from Phase 1 and deepen collaboration with government, the private sector, and local partners. The programme will continue to prioritize youth and women, climate-smart livelihoods, and investments in critical infrastructure to support Kenya’s transition from camp-based assistance towards integrated settlements where both refugees and host communities can thrive. Special focus will be paid to the creative and digital economies that have rich potential for employment creation for refugees and host communities.