Garissa: The Kenyan government is calling for stronger collaboration between national and county administrations to promote inclusive development for both host and refugee communities under the recently launched Shirika Plan. Anchored in the Refugee Act, the Shirika Plan marks a major policy shift, moving refugee management from a purely humanitarian focus to a development-oriented national agenda.
According to Kenya News Agency, Garissa County Speaker Abdi Idle Gure stated that the new approach requires counties to take on a more defined and active role, particularly in delivering essential services such as health, education, water, and local infrastructure. "There's a need for county-focused policies that clearly define mandates under the Shirika framework," he divulged, adding that, "Counties are on the frontlines and must integrate refugee needs into their planning and budgets."
Gure stressed that the plan's success hinges on multi-level governance, with national and county authorities working together to design, finance, and monitor services for both host and refugee communities. He further noted that the government is advocating for the integration of refugee-related projects into County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) and the adoption of capitation models that account for actual population sizes, including refugees.
He emphasized that refugee hosting should be viewed as part of the national development agenda, not solely the burden of hosting counties. "Therefore, this calls for policy alignment, coordinated implementation, and regular engagement at all levels of government," noted Gure.
Development partners have welcomed the move, describing it as a sustainable framework for improving service delivery and strengthening social cohesion. However, officials acknowledge that the real challenge lies in translating policy into action through clear mandates, adequate resources, and shared accountability.