In Limuru, Kenya, Ugandan refugee Constance expresses concerns about the government’s new Shirika Plan to integrate over 800,000 refugees, aimed at transforming major refugee camps into open cities. While the plan promises job opportunities and access to healthcare, Constance worries that it could further marginalize LGBTQ refugees, who have not been included in discussions about the initiative. He runs a safe house for LGBTQ refugees and fears for their safety amidst rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment in Kenya.
The Shirika Plan, supported by the UNHCR, is intended to foster self-reliance among refugees. However, Constance’s group, among other LGBTQ organizations, has not had a voice in the planning. Kenya’s Commissioner for Refugees, John Burugu, maintains that all stakeholders were invited to participate, yet activists argue that LGBTQ concerns are being overlooked.
The plan is set to be implemented until 2036, with an estimated budget of $943 million, funded by the World Bank and other private entities. Despite its potential benefits, some community leaders prefer repatriation for refugees rather than integration.
Activists fear that the plan might intensify anti-LGBTQ violence in a region where discrimination is already pervasive. Many LGBTQ refugees face hostility, particularly in camps like Kakuma, and concerns about their security remain paramount. Constance and his peers await outcomes of their long-pending asylum applications, highlighting systemic issues that hinder their rights. As Kenya grapples with these challenges, the hope remains that the Shirika Plan will adhere to its stated commitment to human rights for all, including the LGBTQ community.
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