On this page, you will find:
To find organisations working for LGBTQI+ rights, visit our Kenya LGBTQI+ Resources page.
For Kenya country of origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries and relevant documents visit our Kenya COI page.
Refugee protection
Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by Kenya.
The following sections contain information on the most important international treaties and agreements of which Kenya is a signatory, as well as national legislation relevant to the protection of refugees.
Kenya has ratified several significant treaties, including the 1951 Refugee Convention, Geneva Convention, African Convention on Human and People’s Rights, Convention Against Torture, Additional Protocols I & II to the Geneva Conventions, and the OAU Convention on Refugee Problems in Africa.
In Kenya, the Refugees Act (2021), which came into force on 23 February 2022, contains detailed stipulations about refugee status determination, refugee identification documents and freedom of movement.
In Kenya, the Refugee Affairs Secretariat (RAS) conducts refugee status determination. RAS is further responsible for refugee management in Kenya including reception, registration, issuance of documentation. The RSD process begins when an asylum seeker registers their application for asylum with RAS. All asylum-seekers, excepts persons from South Sudan, then have an individual interview which is the basis for a decision on the application. This decision can either be a recognition of refugee status or rejection of the asylum application. Applicants whose application are rejected have an opportunity to appeal with to the Refugee Appeal Board and if required to the Hight Court. For further information, see UNHCR overview of RSD in Kenya.
Legal aid organisations
HIAS has been providing services to refugees in Kenya for more than 12 years. HIAS have more than 90 staff members at five sites in Nairobi. The range of services includes legal support, psychosocial care and vocational training.
Please note that refugees and asylum seekers cannot contact HIAS Kenya directly. If you are an organisation working with refugees, you have to refer them to HIAS.
Website
Address:Ole Odume Rd, Off Argwings Kodhek Rd, Nairobi
Tel: +254 02 03 87 41 91 / +254 02 03 87 42 20 / +254 02 03 87 62 90
Email: info@kituochasheria.or.ke
Kituo Cha Sheria is a legal aid providing and human rights NGO that exists to empower the poor and marginalised, and to enhance equity and access to justice to for all. They offer free legal advice and education to the poor. They run a forced migration programme which is devoted to the welfare of poor and marginalised urban refugees and IDPs. The programme offers a range of services, including legal representation, assisting refugees in obtaining work permits, birth and death certificates and identity cards
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Haki House, 32 Ndemi Road off Muringa Road, Kilimani, Nairobi
Tel: +254 020 20 88 060 or +254 020 20 88 067 or +254 020 26 79 351
Fax: +254 020 20 88 054
Mobile: +254 73 38 60 669 or +254 72 09 43 164
Email: info@rckkenya.org or refcon@rckkenya.org
Contact persons: Eunice Ndonga-Githinji: Eunice@rckkenya.org, Leila Murithia Simiyu: Leila@rckkenya.org
The Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) is a national non-governmental organization created in 1998. RCK’s mission is to promote and protect the rights and dignity of refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs in Kenya. The organization provides legal aid services to refugees, engages in advocacy for policy change and development of legislation in line with international instruments and standards on management of refugees and other forced migrants, and through research and information dissemination for awareness-raising on the plight and rights of refugees in Kenya and the East African region. RCK also provides psychosocial support and counselling to traumatised asylum seekers and refugees. RCK offers assistance in four geographical areas: Nairobi, Kakuma refugee camp, Dadaab refugee camp and Garissa town.
Organisations providing other support to refugees
Email: cherishothersorg@yahoo.com, info@cherishotherskenya.org
Cherish Others Organisation Kenya is an NGO based in TransMara and works on health and education. The organisation contributes to advocacy campaigns on issues affecting girls, such as FGM/C; raises awareness among the FGM/C practicing communities in Kenya on FGM/C; supports and encourages girls and women. Currently, the organization is supporting a centre of a community in Kilgoris. The centre is meant to be for girls who run away from the cut.
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Kenya Office: Wamagata Court Woodley, Nairobi
P.O Box 61716-00200
Tel: +254706454718
Email: info@wearecohere.org
Cohere is transforming communities by transferring power within the response to refugee crises. To make the most effective and sustainable change within communities, Cohere works closely together with local refugee led organisations (RLOs), who know exactly what’s needed to address the challenges their communities face. RLOs are building stronger communities and forging a path towards self-reliance in refugee hosting areas. Cohere would like their lead to be followed – for local leaders to make the decisions that affect refugee communities.
Contact person: Faiza Mohammed, Director of the Nairobi Office
Equality Now puts those at risk of FGM/C in contact with partners who can help.
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Kenya Address:
PO Box 63192-00619, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 73 39 12 888
Email: info@heshimakenya.org
US Address:
PO Box 408077, Chicago, Illinois 60640, USA
Tel: +1 (312) 71 44 038
Email: info@heshimakenya.org
Contact person: Alisa Roadcup, Executive Director
Heshima Kenya is an international NGO devoted to identifying, protecting and empowering unaccompanied refugee children and youth living in Nairobi, Kenya. The needs, experiences, emotional well-being and potential of adolescent girls are at the heart of Heshima Kenya and are the focus of our specialized education, shelter and advocacy programming. This is because unaccompanied refugee girls between 13 to 19 years of age, especially in urban areas such as Nairobi, are at particular risk of neglect, exploitation and abuse. Heshima Kenya fosters self-sufficiency and integration, promotes healing and peace, and empowers these minors to take ownership of their own future and that of the community
Website
Address:Sri Aurobindo Avenue, Off Mzima Spring Road. Lavington
Tel:+254 709 889 000
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kenya actively carries out various programs and initiatives related to migration. And works closely with the Kenyan government, other United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners to address migration challenges and promote safe, orderly, and well-managed migration. The key areas of focus for IOM in Kenya include providing support to migrants, including migrants in vulnerable situations, addressing human trafficking and smuggling, supporting the voluntary return and reintegration of migrants, facilitating orderly migration processes, and strengthening migration governance and policy development. IOM Kenya implements projects that aim to protect the rights of migrants, enhance their socioeconomic well-being, and contribute to sustainable development in Kenya.
Website
Address: Argwings Kodhek Road /P.O. Box 62727-00200 Nairobi
Tel: +254 20 27 19 236 or +254 20 27 19 237
As well as providing humanitarian aid to refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp and engaging in advocacy for refugees’ rights, IRC in Nairobi helps refugee women’s groups to access legal advice, education and small business grants.
Website
P.O.BOX 13005-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-020 2497228
Email: info@ishtarmsm.org
Director: Peter N. Njane
Tel: +25 47 21 95 25 70
Email: director@ishtarmsm.org or pnjane@ishtarmsm.org or pnjoro2002@yahoo.com
Administrative contact: Jeffrey K. Musa, Communication and Mobilization Manager
Tel: +254724034964 or +25 47 13 79 71 57 (mobile)
Email: communications@ishtarmsm.org or jeffreym@ishtarmsm.org or jeffreym162@gmail.com
Ishtar MSM is a community based organization that advances sexual health rights of men that have sex with men to reduce the stigma and discrimination aliened with them by creating awareness with the aim of advocating for their rights to access health care, including STI/HIV and AIDS related care and treatment. Ishtar-MSM is a member group of The Gay & Lesbian Coalition of Kenya (GALCK).
Ishtar MSM was formed in the year 1997 when the founders and members did a play by the Name “Cleopatra” at the Kenya National Theater. Majority of them were Male Sex Workers and later formed Ishtar as a support group. They would come together and help each other in various ways like bailing each other and moral support. After 1999 they registered the organization as self help group under the ministry of Home affairs, heritage and sports to create awareness to the members in HIV/AIDS prevention, care & treatment.
In the 2003 through new leadership and members the organization included holistically all MSM (Men who have sex with men) and the initial members the Male sex workers were part Ishtar’s programmes.
Currently Ishtar has 300 registered members and the organization operates from Nairobi.
Website
Address: Gitanga Road, behind Maria Immaculata Hospital, P.O. Box 76490, Nairobi 00508, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 38 74 136
Email: kenya@jrs.net
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organisation with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. JRS seeks to provide education, psychosocial support, pastoral care, peace education, livelihood services and emergency relief and is involved in human rights protection and advocacy activities on different levels. In Nairobi, JRS assists new arrivals, asylum seekers and most vulnerable refugees by providing food and non-food items, financial and medical assistance and psycho-social support. JRS grants small loans to urban refugees to enable them to become self-reliant and earn their own living. The JRS Mikono Shop helps refugees market and sell their products. JRS provides support for preschool and secondary-level education for refugee children as well.
In the Kakuma refugee camp, JRS provides psycho-social and educational support. JRS focuses on counselling and mental health care, training and empowering community counsellors, alternative healers and mental health workers from among the refugees. JRS supports tertiary education for students registered in distance learning programmes and offers educational scholarships for children with disabilities, and those students who are well-performing.
Website
Tel: 0703 037 000
Email: info@redcross.or.ke
Toll free hotline: 1199
Whistle Blowing
Tel: 0800 720 577
Email: complaints@redcross.or.ke
The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) is a humanitarian organization that focuses on disaster management, health and first aid, blood donation, humanitarian services, and youth and volunteer engagement. They provide emergency relief services during disasters, offer first aid training, operate a blood transfusion service, support vulnerable individuals and communities, and actively engage youth in volunteer activities. The KRCS plays a crucial role in promoting community resilience and well-being in Kenya.
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Address: Haki House, 32 Ndemi Road off Muringa Road, Kilimani, Nairobi
Tel: +254 020 20 88 060 or +254 020 20 88 067 or +254 020 26 79 351
Fax: +254 020 20 88 054
Mobile: +254 73 38 60 669 or +254 72 09 43 164
Email: info@rckkenya.org or refcon@rckkenya.org
Contact persons: Eunice Ndonga-Githinji: Eunice@rckkenya.org, Leila Murithia Simiyu: Leila@rckkenya.org
The Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) is a national non-governmental organization created in 1998. RCK’s mission is to promote and protect the rights and dignity of refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs in Kenya. The organization provides legal aid services to refugees, engages in advocacy for policy change and development of legislation in line with international instruments and standards on management of refugees and other forced migrants, and through research and information dissemination for awareness-raising on the plight and rights of refugees in Kenya and the East African region. RCK also provides psychosocial support and counselling to traumatised asylum seekers and refugees. RCK offers assistance in four geographical areas: Nairobi, Kakuma refugee camp, Dadaab refugee camp and Garissa town.
Website
Facebook
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Address: Titan Complex, Chaka Road, Hurlingham, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254.738.999270
Email: hello@refugepoint.org
Using private funds, RefugePoint was founded in 2005 to identify refugees who fall through the cracks of humanitarian aid. Initially providing life-saving care to HIV+ refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, the agency grew quickly, adding a range of services to support those with the most urgent needs. Over time, RefugePoint developed a unique, full-service response model for assisting urban refugees and facilitating their self-reliance. Simultaneously, the organization saw that tens of thousands of resettlement slots were going unused annually and built a unique resettlement program that now partners with the UN Refugee Agency in 30 countries across the globe.
RefugePoint has directly assisted over 100,000 refugees to access resettlement and other pathways to safety and has worked in partnership with others to guarantee access for thousands more. Learn more about our impact.
Website
Address: Nasra Gardens Estate, Gate B, Along Spine Road, Israel Court House No. 400, 1st Floor
Tel: +254 11 49 58 319
Email: info@relonkenya.or.ke
Organisation working to unite the refugee-led organisations (RLO) in Kenya so as to link them with opportunities, ideas and funding, as well as provide a platform for the RLOs to network amongst each other and other key potential partners. Advocating for refugee participation and inclusion on decision-making tables and policymaking processes at all levels.
Website
Address: United Nations Complex UN Avenue, Gigiri.
Mailing Address P.O. Box 43801-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 423 2000
Email: KENNA@unhcr.org
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has a presence and representation in Kenya. UNHCR’s office in Kenya is responsible for coordinating and overseeing refugee operations and protection activities in the country. The main UNHCR office in Kenya is located in Nairobi, the capital city. The UNHCR Kenya office works closely with the Kenyan government, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to provide assistance and protection to refugees and asylum seekers. Its primary objectives include ensuring the safety, well-being, and rights of refugees, promoting durable solutions, and supporting refugee self-reliance and integration efforts. UNHCR in Kenya also plays a crucial role in addressing the specific needs of refugees, such as access to education, healthcare, livelihood opportunities, and legal assistance.
Website
Address: Nasra Gardens, Umojo, Embakasi West, Nairobi
Tel: +254 70 50 08 067 / +254 75 81 50 972
Email: info@youthvoicescommunity.org
Refugee led organisation aiming to build awareness on refugee youths’ experiences while also developing their self-reliance. Providing a voice to refugee and vulnerable local youths in Nairobi by helping them share their stories, building their capacity and engaging in advocacy. Producing short story features on refugees and local vulnerable youth and collaborating with partners such as the UNHCR to disseminate information to persons of concern. Working to provide education opportunities and support to refugees and locals
Kenya LGBTQI+ Resources
Find organisations working for refugee LGBTQI+ rights in Kenya.
Kenya COI
Find Kenya Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated May 2023