The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is stepping up calls for the government to streamline access to identity cards for refugees, emphasizing that proper documentation is key to unlocking essential services and supporting ongoing integration efforts.

During a refugee leaders’ consultation held in Nairobi on Sunday, July 27, 2025, IRC’s Regional Policy and Advocacy Advisor Irene Shiundu stressed the critical role refugee identity cards play in ensuring access to healthcare, education, legal aid, and employment.

“While the government does provide refugee IDs, acquiring them remains a daunting task,” Shiundu noted. “The process is riddled with obstacles. Many refugees only succeed with the support of human rights groups, and some abandon the process altogether due to frustration.”

Possession of a refugee ID enables individuals to register for a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PIN, enroll in the national Social Health Authority insurance scheme, apply for travel documents, and seek legal support. Yet, Shiundu said the procedures in place are overly complicated and inaccessible to many.

“There is a need for a clear, step-by-step guide that refugees can follow to obtain their documents without unnecessary delays or confusion,” she said, adding that even those who manage to get the ID go through a taxing experience.

The IRC, founded in 1933 by Albert Einstein to support those facing humanitarian crises, operates in over 40 countries and continues to advocate for dignity and equal opportunity for displaced populations.

Its current campaign on refugee documentation aligns with this long-standing mission.

At the same meeting, Fatima Ali, a refugee from Daadab, echoed the call for reform, revealing that many refugee youths are missing out on jobs and scholarships due to the lack of proper identification.

“Without the refugee ID, they are shut out of life-changing opportunities and face difficulty engaging with host communities,” she explained. Ali also mentioned that some services offered by the UNHCR remain inaccessible to undocumented refugees.

These concerns come against the backdrop of the government’s ongoing implementation of the Shirika Plan, a new policy unveiled by President William Ruto in March 2025. Inspired in part by Poland’s model of refugee inclusion, the plan seeks to transition refugee camps into integrated settlements.

“The Shirika Plan is a uniquely Kenyan approach that answers the African Union’s call for local solutions to both regional and global challenges,” President Ruto said during the launch.

He highlighted that the initiative aims to weave refugees into the fabric of county development by incorporating them into national education, healthcare, and financial systems.

“As of now, over 70,000 refugees are enrolled under the Social Health Insurance Fund, and their identification documents are recognized within the Integrated Population Registration System,” Ruto added, positioning the initiative as a cornerstone of inclusive national development.