The Turkana County Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to refugee inclusion after a delegation from the Refugee Advisory Committee (RAC), led by Dr Anne Muchiri, paid a courtesy call on Speaker Rt. Hon. Charles Lokioto.
The delegation is in Turkana County on a learning and familiarisation tour aimed at gaining insights into refugee management and ongoing efforts to promote the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and host communities in Kakuma and its environs.
The Refugee Advisory Committee is a statutory body established under the Refugees Act, 2021, with an advisory mandate to the Cabinet Secretary responsible for refugee affairs.
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Its functions include advising on refugee policy, governance matters and prima facie determinations, as well as providing policy guidance on the implementation of the Refugees Act, 2021, the Refugees (General) Regulations, 2024, and the Shirika Plan.
During the meeting, the committee and the County Assembly leadership exchanged views on refugee management, protection and coordination of services among the National Government, County Government and other stakeholders working in refugee-hosting areas.
Discussions also covered the inclusion of refugees in county development planning and service delivery, as well as the need for closer cooperation among stakeholders implementing refugee-related policies and programmes.
Speaker Lokioto highlighted the Assembly's commitment to promoting refugee inclusion through legislative and institutional reforms.
He noted that the County Assembly had amended its Standing Orders to establish a dedicated committee responsible for refugee affairs, creating an institutional framework for addressing issues affecting refugees.
The amendment also strengthens opportunities for refugees to participate in the Assembly's legislative and oversight processes.
Under the arrangement, refugees can raise concerns about service delivery, including access to water, healthcare and other essential services, through petitions and submissions of memoranda to the Assembly.
The engagement further provided an opportunity for the two sides to explore areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening the participation of refugee and host communities in county governance and development processes.
The Refugee Advisory Committee receives support from various partners, including the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK), through its refugee inclusion and protection programmes.
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Speaker Hon. Gilbert Topos, Deputy Clerk John Komol, RCK Executive Director Barlet Colly Jaji, and representatives from the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).