NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Samoei Ruto has urged the international community to adopt a fairer and more collaborative approach to refugee management, noting that Kenya is hosting nearly 580,000 refugees and asylum seekers, placing it among the world’s leading host nations.
Speaking in Nairobi at the opening of the 14th International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges (IARMJ) World Conference, President Ruto said Kenya remains committed to providing dignity, safety, and opportunity to displaced populations.
He highlighted ongoing government efforts to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks, including the Shirika Plan, which aims to empower refugees to rebuild their lives through integration, self-reliance, and expanded economic participation.
Ruto, however, stressed that Kenya’s generosity must be matched by international responsibility.
“We recognise our limits and urge the international community to share responsibility more fairly through financial support, resettlement, and technical cooperation,” he said.
“True solidarity is not charity — it is a commitment to justice for refugees as we pursue lasting and sustainable solutions that restore peace and stability in their home countries.”
The President also called on refugee and migration judges from around the world to uphold fairness, courage, and independence in their work, emphasising that justice systems play a critical role in protecting vulnerable populations.
“At this conference, we call upon judges to ensure that every refugee and migrant is heard and treated with integrity and dignity,” he said.
The four-day global gathering has brought together jurists, policymakers, and refugee experts to discuss evolving challenges in migration governance, international protection standards, and the rising complexities of displacement driven by conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability.
Kenya, long recognised for its open-door policy on refugees, is pushing for more sustainable, development-oriented approaches that integrate humanitarian support with long-term planning.
The government says global cooperation remains essential if host states are to continue providing safe haven without overstretching their institutions.
