By Sharon Atieno
The United Nations (UN) in Kenya, in collaboration with the Government of Kenya and other partners, has launched a US$28.5 Million Joint Programme (JP) on Migration, Mobility, and Regional Integration.
The JP which will be implemented for the period December 2024 to June 2026, aims to support the acceleration of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on capacity building, policy advocacy, and community participation to enhance social cohesion and regional integration.
The Programme is co-chaired by the Government of Kenya through the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with active participation from several United Nations agencies. These include the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).
“Migration is a complex issue and multifaceted phenomenon that makes it difficult for national governments to manage single-handedly. It cuts across issues bordering on history, economics and politics of the world and effective migration management for sustainable development can only be achieved through joint efforts from both state and non-state actors,” said James Kianda, Secretary of Administration, State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services during the launch. He was speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary for the Department, Prof Amb. Julius Bitok.
He noted that the JP is one of its kind as it represents a unique opportunity to unlock resources, broaden the scope of partnerships and accelerate Kenya’s efforts in achieving Vision 2030 and SDGs.
“The Joint Programme presents Kenya with an opportunity to strengthen livelihood opportunities, increase resilience and promote socio-economic cohesion among the communities impacted by migration dynamics, human mobility and climate change,” Kianda said.
According to Sharon Dimanche, the Chief of Mission IOM Kenya, besides poverty, conflict and violence, climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly driving migration and internal displacement.
Dimanche noted that as long as people’s lives and livelihoods are threatened, they will migrate as an adaptation strategy. Thus, there is need to put in place measures including policies that allow for safe and orderly migration pathways.
Observing the crucial role that the initiative plays in migration governance, she highlighted that if well managed, migration can offer many opportunities for the country of origin and destination.
On her part, Anne Chele, FAO Mobilization and Partnerships Programmes manager called for collaboration and partnership. “With the launch of this Joint Programme, there is need to collaborate on joint resource mobilization and identification of partnerships in promoting migration and rural development in both emergency and development contexts,” she said.
Additionally, Chele noted there is need to continue working towards the agenda that promotes and facilitates safe, orderly, and regular migration, and engage in continuous dialogue on the role of migration in Kenya’s development.
The JP has two main outcomes. By 2026, all people in Kenya at risk of being left behind should inhabit an inclusive, enabling, socially cohesive, and peaceful environment and participate in transformative governance systems that are gender-responsive, just, and rule of law compliant.
Also, by this timeline, all people in Kenya at risk of being left behind should have improved, inclusive and equitable social protection services.
To achieve the outcomes, the JP outlines several interventions including supporting finalisation and operationalization of related Migration laws, policies and frameworks, promoting direct investments opportunities for migrants in the diaspora including advocacy on reduction of transaction costs of remittances as well as supporting and enhancing operational capacities at points of entry/exit including one stop boarder posts.
Others encompass capacity building of national and county governments, relevant agencies and most vulnerable groups (LNOBs) on the migration cycle to enhance access to services and, supporting Kenya’s regional integration efforts to facilitate mobility at the regional level and services to advance their protection and welfare.
Additionally, strengthening both referral and linkages to multi-sectoral services that are effective , accessible and gender responsive, and migration data generation, collection, management and sharing among relevant stakeholders are other interventions.
The JP also outlines sensitization and training of government agencies on communicable diseases and migration health management at borders, and strengthening capacity for provision of primary health care services for communities impacted by mobility as health sector interventions.
Already, US$12.6 million have been received for implementing the programme.
