The Department for Refugee Services has sought the intervention of the National Assembly’s Regional Development Committee over what it termed as insufficient budgetary allocations.
Appearing before Peter Lochakapong-led Committee, the Commissioner for Refugee Services John Burugu underscored the implication of underfunding stating that they are unable to execute their mandate effectively.
He said lack of funds also hampers the implementation of the scheme of service for refugee management officers.
Burugu further informed the committee that out of 496 staff establishments, 398 officers have been contracted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHRC) to conduct registration, documentation and protection of refugees.
“Only 98 officers have been employed by the government which has made the department unable to exert control and enforce discipline among its staff,” he lamented.
He further revealed that the department has read-only access with limited rights to the Progress refugee database system which is controlled by UNHCR.
According to Burugu, the information contained in the database is very sensitive and can be used with the border management system to seal loopholes for international criminals seeking asylum and also posing as refugees.
“We are usually embarrassed by the organizations seeking information on the refugees because we have to refer them to UNHCR,” Burugu noted.
During the session, various concerns were raised by MPs ranging from financial and operational challenges experienced, security and environmental concerns, plans and partnerships and the integration efforts by the department.
While weighing on the challenges experienced by the department, Ganze MP Tungule Charo Kazungu queried whether there were plans to repatriate refugees back to their country.
In response, Burugu disclosed that the department does receive applications for the seizure of refugees and together with UNHCR, they do repatriate.
Lochakapong (Sigor) committed the committee's support towards addressing challenges faced by the department.
Kenya is a host to approximately 691,868 refugees and asylum seekers as of December 31, 2023, according to the Department of Refugee Services.
The population comprises of 531,911 (78 per cent) refugees and 152,951 (22 per cent) asylum-seekers.
The department notes that the population continues to increase rapidly compared to the previous months as a result of the registration of new arrivals and the resumption of registration services in the Dadaab refugee camp.
On May 9, 2023, Kenya launched a Marshal Plan National Steering Committee of 18 Principal Secretaries to come up with the Refugee Marshal plan. The Marshal Plan is a shift in refugee policy from aid dependency to refugee self-reliance and development.
