Engaging Media in Nairobi to Mark World Refugee Day

Re:BUiLD Program partner, Pamoja Trust's Irene Kinoti during at Spice FM interview on World Refugee Day, June 20,2023 (Source: Spice FM) 

Under the Re:BUiLD Program, the International Rescue Committee and its partners engaged the media in Nairobi to create awareness on the significance of welcoming and offering livelihood opportunities to refugees as part of the commemoration of World Refugee Day on June 20, 2023.

Aligned to this year’s theme: Hope away from home, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Economic Recovery and Development Coordinator Boniface Odhiambo and Pamoja Trust’s Program Officer- Irene Kinoti were #TheSituationRoom guests at the Standard Media Group’s Spice FM.

The morning show discussion covered sensitization on Kenya’s Refugee Act of 2021 and the rights of urban refugees. Irene seized the opportunity to advocate for enhanced support for refugees’ effective integration in local communities. While on the show, Pamoja Trust welcomed the recent development in Nairobi where the city government has allowed refugees access to formal business spaces.  

"The Nairobi City County Government recently opened up the space to allow refugees access to business permit registration. It is a major milestone and refugees can now feel included in business. We want refugees to have equal access to services that Kenyans enjoy," stated Irene.

Irene noted that registered refugees can also access the Kenya Revenue Authority Personal Identification Numbers (KRA PIN), the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), and the eCitizen platform, thus enhancing their access to basic services.

The IRC’s Boniface Odhiambo appealed to Kenyans and the government to provide a conducive environment for the effective integration of refugees. He added that refugees contribute to the host communities’ wellbeing and hence the need to allow for their active participation in the local economies.

"Refugees contribute to the local economy as they participate in economic and livelihood activities.  Integrating refugees produces a broader benefit for the community. We need to live together as neighbors and let each other enjoy the rights that we’d all like to enjoy," stated Odhiambo. 

Watch the discussion as it happened live on Spice Fm.