Technical staff from the County Assembly of Turkana have participated in a stakeholder meeting to discuss proposed amendments to the Refugees Act, 2021, as part of efforts to strengthen refugee protection and inclusion.
The meeting was held at Ateker Hotel in Lodwar and focused on developing a legislative proposal for the amendment of the existing law.
The review process seeks to identify gaps in the current legal framework, address emerging issues in refugee management and strengthen legal and institutional mechanisms for the inclusion of refugees and host communities in governance and service delivery.
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In his opening remarks, Kangatotha Ward MCA and Chairperson of the County Assembly Service Board (CASB) Partnerships Committee, Hon. Matthew Alany, highlighted the importance of the Refugees Act, 2021, in promoting refugee protection, inclusion and access to essential services.
Alany noted the progress made towards improving service delivery for both refugee and host communities, emphasising the need to consolidate these gains through an effective legislative framework.
He also reaffirmed the County Assembly's role in ensuring that the principles and provisions of the Act are incorporated into county governance, legislation, budgeting and oversight processes.
Mr. Ekai Isaiah, representing VNG International, underscored the importance of continued partnerships and stakeholder engagement in strengthening the legal framework governing refugee affairs.
The meeting was facilitated by VNG International through the Sustainable Development through Local Governance (SDLG) programme, which supports the County Assembly in building its legislative and institutional capacity in migration and refugee affairs.
The discussions form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for refugee management and promote the inclusion of refugees and host communities in county development and public service delivery.