Refugees in dadaab camp
The total number of registered Refugees and Asylum Seekers
in Kenya increased significantly, a report has found.
In the Economic Survey 2025, the numbers increased to 823,932 in 2024, up from 691,868 in 2024.
“For the total number of refugee children (18 years and below) registered increased from 358,935 to 439,255 in 2024,” the report reads in part.
Girls registered as refugees and asylum seekers were the majority by 18.4 per cent to 209,542 in the year 2024.
In the adult category (18 years and above), the number of registered refugees rose from 332,933 in 2023 to 384,677 in 2024, an increase of 15.5 per cent.
The report said within this group, registered female adults increased by 16.1 per cent, totaling 403,170, while their male counterparts rose by 16 per cent to 420,762.
Demographic data reveals that the majority of the registered refugees and asylum seekers population in Kenya were males and children accounting for 51 per cent and 53.3 per cent respectively.
On March 10, 2025, the Kenyan government unveiled plans to create its national database of refugees in a bid to improve access to services by these individuals as well as manage the security of the country.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said this database would provide real-time data, making it easier for authorities to plan and integrate refugee information with other government systems.
“In order to enhance success to services, we plan to develop a government-owned database that will be interoperable with other government systems to enable the government a real-time data for planning and manage our security,” he said.
Moreover, on March 28, 2025, President William Ruto launched the refugees’ Shirika Plan' that aimed at absorbing the group into the host communities.
The plan seeks to integrate refugees into host communities by transforming camps into sustainable settlements equipped with essential infrastructure, resources and economic opportunities.
