President William Ruto has urged the international community to work together to strengthen migration systems, calling for fair, organized, and humane structures that uphold dignity and protect refugees from exploitation and human trafficking.
Speaking in Nairobi during the opening of the 14th World Conference of the International Association of Refugee and Migrant Judges (IARMJ), President Ruto said the world is facing a displacement emergency “of unprecedented levels,” with more than 120 million people uprooted by conflict, persecution, economic hardship, and climate-driven disasters.
“These numbers are not mere statistics,” he said. “They are a reminder of the urgency and significance of this year’s theme—protecting the integrity of refugee and migration systems.”
Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s decades-long role as a refuge for people fleeing war and instability, noting that the country now hosts nearly 580,000 refugees and asylum seekers.
“Our nation has opened its doors to those fleeing war and persecution,” he said. “This reflects not only our generosity but our unwavering belief in the principles of humanity and solidarity.”
The President highlighted Kenya’s progressive legal framework, including the Refugees Act of 2021, which guarantees refugees the right to work, move freely, and access essential services.
He also pointed to the government’s ongoing implementation of the Shirika Plan, a major initiative aimed at transforming refugee camps into integrated settlements where refugees and host communities can live and work side by side.
“It is a bold shift from encampment to empowerment,” Ruto said, describing the plan as aligned with global refugee protection standards and Africa’s approach to durable solutions.
Calling refugee protection a “global obligation,” he insisted that no single nation should bear the responsibility alone. He appealed to the international community for financial support, fair resettlement opportunities, and technical cooperation. “No nation can shoulder it alone,” he said.
Ruto also emphasized the central role of the judiciary in safeguarding refugee rights, noting that judges often make life-changing decisions.
“A single ruling can determine whether a refugee is granted safety or returned to danger,” he said, urging judicial officers to uphold fairness, transparency, and independence.
He warned against the misuse of asylum systems and the growing threat of human trafficking, saying Kenya is enhancing cross-border cooperation and strengthening its laws to combat traffickers while still protecting vulnerable migrants.
He also encouraged the world to recognize the positive side of migration, citing Kenya’s labor mobility agreements and the benefits of skills exchange.
“We must not criminalize the movement of people,” he said. “There are very positive aspects of migration.”
As he officially opened the global conference, Ruto reminded participants of the weight of their work: “The decisions you make reverberate beyond the courtroom. They shape lives, preserve families, and safeguard the credibility of the international protection regime.”
