Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen convened a crisis meeting on Tuesday to address the impact of recent aid freezes and budget cuts for humanitarian assistance programs supporting refugees in Kenya.
Murkomen warned that the sudden reduction in funding by developed nations has severely strained the country’s ability to support over 800,000 refugees and asylum seekers. The cuts have already led to unrest, with refugees in Kakuma protesting on Monday over reduced food rations from the World Food Program (WFP), which now provides only 40% of the minimum basic needs. The demonstration resulted in clashes with police, leaving at least three refugees and three officers injured.
“Kenya has hosted refugees for over three decades, bearing the cost of healthcare, education, food, and security,” Murkomen stated. “The socio-economic impact of these funding cuts will be unbearable, yet turning our backs on the most vulnerable runs counter to our shared humanity.”
During the meeting, Murkomen urged developed nations to uphold their financial commitments while Kenya works on sustainable solutions. He emphasized integrating refugees into economic activities, which would benefit both refugee communities and host regions through employment and business opportunities.
Key policy reforms, including refugee identification and management, were discussed, alongside efforts to fast-track financial inclusion through partnerships with the banking sector.
The meeting included representatives from the United Nations, the UNHCR, UNICEF, the WFP, the IOM, and Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services Prof. Julius Bitok.
