Refugee Consortium of Kenya - RCK

Refugee Consortium of Kenya - RCK Established in 1998, RCK is an NGO dedicated to protecting & promoting the well-being, voice & dignity of the displaced & host populations.

🗞️ NEW REPORT RELEASED! The has published the Legislative and Policy Indexing Report on Inclusive Health, Water & Educa...
04/08/2026

🗞️ NEW REPORT RELEASED!

The has published the Legislative and Policy Indexing Report on Inclusive Health, Water & Education Services in Turkana County and National level. This study maps the legal landscape to sustainably support Kenya's transition from refugee encampment to integrated socio-economic settlements.

As Kenya implements the Refugees Act 2021 & Shirika Plan, national & county governments need to align their laws & policies to transition refugees & hosts from aid reliance to self-sufficiency.

Harmonising and embedding these frameworks into county development plans will yield significant benefits ranging from enhanced service delivery across local communities to socio-economic growth & stronger community security.

The research provides an evidence-based index evaluating policy gaps and alignment with international, national, and local standards.

While findings confirm that Kenya has established one of Sub-Saharan Africa's most progressive legal frameworks, anchored by the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the Refugees Act 2021, the Refugees (General) Regulations 2024 and the Shirika Plan, a critical challenge remains, translating this normative foundation into coherent, enforceable, and sustainably financed service delivery.

This study under the hashtag project, supported by Denmark in Kenya, was done in collaboration with to unlock integrated service delivery.

📖 Read the full study here to explore key policy insights and strategic pathways for refugee inclusion: https://www.rckkenya.org/document/legislative-and-policy-indexing-report-inclusive-health-water-and-education-services-in-turkana-county-and-the-national-linkages/

Stress is not always a problem, but how we understand and respond to it determines whether it becomes a source of growth...
03/08/2026

Stress is not always a problem, but how we understand and respond to it determines whether it becomes a source of growth or psychological distress.

held a psychoeducation session on stress management for 37 refugee community members in Ifo Camp, Dadaab. Tailored to address the heightened hardships of displacement. The forum provided a participatory platform to deepen stress awareness, identify root causes, and equip participants with actionable tools for everyday resilience.

Through scenario-based learning and guided relaxation exercises, participants explored the line between eustress and distress while practicing practical coping techniques. Hands-on demonstrations covered diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise. Attendees actively identified local stressors, contrasted healthy coping strategies against the risks of substance misuse and isolation, and mapped out individual stress management plans.

Participants learnt new approaches to managing stress and will apply them to their personalized plans and cascade these stress reduction practices to their families and neighbours.



NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council IKEA Foundation Embassy of Denmark in Kenya and Somalia

and partners are currently providing services at Ifo 1, Dadaab, under the ECHO project supported by EU Civil Protection...
30/07/2026

and partners are currently providing services at Ifo 1, Dadaab, under the ECHO project supported by EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Humanitarian Aid. This brings legal aid, government, and other services closer to refugees and host to promote access to human rights and justice.

Danish Refugee Council UNHCR KENYA

While adolescent girls across both communities face severe menstrual health challenges, refugee girls are often dispropo...
30/07/2026

While adolescent girls across both communities face severe menstrual health challenges, refugee girls are often disproportionately disadvantaged due to displacement, lack of accurate information and limited resources.

Without proper education, many young girls mistake their first period for an illness or injury, leading to panic and school avoidance.

Fear of leakage and severe pain cause them to miss several days of school each month, causing them to fall behind and eventually drop out.

Boys also need dignity kits and education to break the surrounding stigma and support better menstrual health outcomes for their peers.

To tackle this, , in partnership with HesedAfrica Ngo, distributed 300 dignity kits to boys and girls across 3 schools in both refugee and host communities, paired with vital education.

We invite partners, donors, and the private sector to join forces with us in expanding access to dignity kits for adolescents, advancing the Kenya MHM Policy's vision of universal access to safe hygiene products and education for all learners.

30/07/2026

Happening Now!

📍 Are you attending the 4th Devolution Sensitization Week in Garissa County, under the theme " for Better Health, Empow...
29/07/2026

📍 Are you attending the 4th Devolution Sensitization Week in Garissa County, under the theme " for Better Health, Empowered Communities"?

Do not miss this opportunity to meet the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) team and learn more about refugee protection and management. At the event, Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) is delivering a range of essential services across key thematic booths.

Under the legal booth, our team is offering direct legal aid while raising awareness on refugee rights, child protection, and the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities to ensure access to justice reaches every community member. RCK will also participate in the roundtable panel discussion on the effective implementation of the Shirika Plan and GISDEP.

At the Ministry of Health booth, RCK is providing psychosocial support information and highlighting our collaborative work at the Gender-Based Violence Recovery Centre (GBVRC) to showcase coordinated, survivor-centered responses for individuals affected by sexual offenses.

Additionally, at the Garissa Department of Trade booth, RCK and its ABLI-G Consortium partners, including Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp with support from , are championing inclusion among refugee and host populations by demonstrating the One Stop Shop model, an integrated service approach designed to consolidate multiple community support mechanisms under one roof for seamless access.

The Council of Governors' flagship civic engagement platform brings together national and county governments, development partners, and communities to reflect on the gains of devolution and chart its future. This year's edition places special emphasis on demonstrating impact in an arid and semi-arid region that has historically faced barriers to access.

As reaffirms, devolution delivers real impact when services, partnerships, and communities come together, and RCK remains committed to walking alongside government and partners in building a more inclusive, responsive system for all.

hashtag hashtag

Today marks 75 years since the Refugee Convention was opened for signature on 28 July 1951, it remains the foundation of...
28/07/2026

Today marks 75 years since the Refugee Convention was opened for signature on 28 July 1951, it remains the foundation of the international refugee protection system.

For over 25 years, Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) has driven transformative grassroots and policy-level change across Kenya, directly impacting more than 6 million displaced and host populations.

In 2006, RCK supported the drafting of the initial framework for the Refugees Act 2006, legally domesticating international refugee law into Kenyan jurisprudence.

Building on this foundation, RCK later co-chaired the national task force that developed and that led to the enactment of the landmark Refugees Act 2021 and its 2024 Regulations. This paved the way for a paradigm shift from strict encampment to integrated settlement policies, as demonstrated by the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement in Turkana County, anchoring socio-economic inclusion.

Our work addresses the core challenges facing forced migrants through championing effective policy implementation, providing pro bono legal aid, mobile legal clinics in remote areas, psychosocial counseling, and community-led peacebuilding.

RCK remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting and promoting the well-being, voice, and dignity of displaced and host populations, advancing a just and inclusive society for all.

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Effective counseling is not about solving a client's problems but empowering them to find their own solutions through em...
23/07/2026

Effective counseling is not about solving a client's problems but empowering them to find their own solutions through empathy, active listening, confidentiality, and ethical practice.

, in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, concluded an intensive capacity-building training on basic skills and First Aid (PFA). Anchored in core psychosocial principles, the session brought together 30 community health workers and community-based counselors in Dadaab to evaluate real-world care delivery successes and address the practical bottlenecks limiting effective mental health support.

Building on these core concepts, the training provided an interactive platform to translate empathy, confidentiality, and active listening into actionable community care. Participants highlighted pressing operational barriers, including how distressed individuals are frequently locked out of immediate support, while underscoring the urgent need to embed ethical counseling principles and "Do No Harm" practices at the frontline.

Delving deeper into these field-level challenges, participants scrutinized the systemic gaps that exacerbate psychosocial distress. To address these gaps, participants established a strategic roadmap to shift from workshop-based learning to direct, field-level impact. The agreed-upon framework prioritizes continuous advocacy for standard PFA action principles – Prepare, Look, Listen, and Link – alongside localized refresher training and structured supervision across refugee-hosting centres to elevate the quality of care.

Looking forward, partners remain committed to transitioning community-based support towards mentorship-driven systems. This includes creating safe feedback spaces, building local capacity, engaging incentive workers, and establishing robust referral pathways for complex mental health cases. Ultimately, this hands-on framework ensures a sustainable, dignified ecosystem where holistic well-being is fully accessible to both refugee and host communities.

UNHCR KENYA HIAS Africa Mental 360 Council of Governors-Kenya Embassy of Denmark in Kenya and Somalia

Strengthening Inclusive Governance Starts with Inclusive Participation. Together with the County Assembly of Turkana and...
08/07/2026

Strengthening Inclusive Governance Starts with Inclusive Participation. Together with the County Assembly of Turkana and partners, Refugee Consortium of Kenya - RCK is supporting a three-day training and public sensitization programme on the amended County Assembly Standing Orders, strengthening meaningful public participation and advancing the inclusion of refugees and host communities in county governance.

The training has convened representatives from refugee-led organizations (RLOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), development partners, and leaders from both refugee and host communities to build their understanding of the amended Standing Orders and their implications for legislative processes, citizen engagement, and accountable governance.

The revised Standing Orders represent a major milestone in advancing refugee inclusion by providing a framework through which refugees can meaningfully participate in county governance, including petitioning the County Assembly on matters affecting service delivery and their wellbeing.

Speaking during the session Refugee Consortium of Kenya - RCK Field Coordinator-Kakuma Operations Advocate Mitchell Ambasu appreciated the County Assembly of Turkana for embracing progressive reforms that strengthen participatory governance and institutionalize the inclusion of refugees within county legislative processes.

"The inclusion of refugees in the Standing Orders is a progressive milestone that strengthens inclusive governance and improves access to responsive service delivery. It demonstrates the County Assembly's commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of status, has an opportunity to participate in decisions that affect their lives. RCK remains committed to supporting the County Assembly of Turkana in advancing progressive policies that promote justice, inclusion, and equal participation," he said.

The Speaker of the County Assembly of Turkana, Rt. Hon. Charles Lokioto, reaffirmed the Assembly's commitment to building a more accessible, inclusive, and people-centred institution, emphasizing that public participation is a constitutional right and a fundamental pillar of democratic governance. He expressed appreciation to development partners for their continued support in strengthening participatory governance within the county.

The training reflects the collective commitment of the County Assembly of Turkana, and development partners to strengthen inclusive governance by creating platforms where refugees and host communities can actively engage in public affairs.

Women and girls affected by forced displacement often face multiple barriers to safety, justice, and essential services....
07/07/2026

Women and girls affected by forced displacement often face multiple barriers to safety, justice, and essential services. Addressing these challenges requires more than good intentions,it requires laws and policies that are inclusive, responsive, and effectively implemented the Refugee Consortium of Kenya - RCK convening a high-level policy dialogue with the Kewopa Kenya, bringing together legislators, government institutions, constitutional commissions, and development partners to strengthen legal and policy frameworks that protect women and girls in refugee and host communities.
Convened under the Haki na Ushirikiano Project, with support from the Embassy of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kenya and implemented in partnership with the Kenya National Commision on Human Rights the dialogue reinforces RCK's commitment to advancing evidence-based policy advocacy that promotes inclusion, gender equality, and access to justice.
The discussions focus on strengthening the implementation of the Refugees Act, 2021, while identifying policy and legislative reforms to address gaps in the Sexual Offences Act (2006) and the Prohibition of FGM Act (2011), and the National Policy on Gender and Development. The dialogue also seeks to strengthen institutional accountability and ensure that national legal frameworks respond to the protection needs of women and girls affected by forced displacement.

The forum has brought together representatives from Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA Kenya) bringing, Kenya National Commision on Human Rights, The National Gender and Equality Commission-Kenya , Gender Violence Recovery Centre State Department for Gender and other key stakeholders committed to advancing gender-responsive governance.

Through this engagement, stakeholders will develop priority policy recommendations and joint advocacy actions to strengthen Gender-Based Violence prevention and response, improve access to justice, and promote refugee-inclusive legislation. The outcomes will support sustained parliamentary engagement and contribute to legal reforms that uphold the rights, dignity, and protection of women and girls in Kenya's refugee and host communities.

UNHCR Council of Governors-Kenya

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