Nairobi and Nakuru, Kenya — The Republic of South Sudan became the world’s youngest nation on July 9, 2011, after gaining independence from Sudan. As of 2024, South Sudan marks 13 years of independence, yet the country continues to experience escalating violence and conflict, forcing nearly 2.5 million South Sudanese to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighboring countries. Kenya, sharing a border with South Sudan, hosts a significant number of these refugees, ranking third after Uganda and Ethiopia. The Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps are among Kenya’s oldest, housing approximately 252,066 and 233,828 refugees, respectively (UNHCR, 2023).
Traditionally, refugees in Kenya have been confined to camps with limited freedom to work or move without authorization from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Kenyan government. However, there has been a noticeable increase in refugees moving to urban areas, at an annual growth rate of about 4.4 percent (Pape et al., 2022). Urban areas attract migrants due to greater livelihood opportunities and freedom of movement, allowing them to live independently and work towards a better future. However, urban refugees often encounter unique challenges, such as reduced access to the support and material assistance provided in camps. Recent policy changes linked to Kenya’s Refugee Act (2021) are slowly beginning to address these issues, offering new opportunities and challenges for South Sudanese urban refugees.
The MiFOOD project, part of the Hungry Cities Partnership, focuses on the often-overlooked interactions between migration and food security in the Global South. This project, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), involves a collaboration of over 90 researchers across 13 countries and includes a research team based at the University of Nairobi, the University of the Fraser Valley, and peace advocate William Kolong, based in Nairobi and South Sudan.
Focus Groups
- In December 2022, researchers from the University of Nairobi and the University of the Fraser Valley conducted three focus groups with South Sudanese youth and community leaders living in Nairobi and Nakuru. These discussions centered on the unique challenges faced by South Sudanese urban refugees, particularly in the context of urban living. The participants shared their experiences with various issues, including the impact of COVID-19, harassment, food insecurity, and unemployment.
- The analysis of these focus groups revealed significant gaps in the policies and practices that affect urban refugees, particularly in accessing opportunities for long-term residence and settlement.
- Communication breakdowns between the Kenyan and South Sudanese governments, along with the UNHCR, have resulted in inadequate policies that fail to address critical issues such as access to business licenses, police harassment, discrimination, and the need for further education and training in business development.
- The findings were compiled into a report (Enns et al., 2024), which was shared with stakeholders and highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of research data for decision-making.
- One of the primary issues highlighted was the lack of proper identification (ID) for South Sudanese refugees, which hindered their ability to obtain work permits and access other opportunities. Previously, refugees had to travel back to South Sudan to obtain an ID, a process fraught with risks and costs that many could not afford. However, in response to the report, the South Sudanese government established an office in Nairobi in November 2023, allowing refugees to obtain registered IDs locally. This change has significantly improved access to work permits and reduced police harassment, as refugees are now able to present proper identification.
- Additionally, the UNHCR and the South Sudanese embassy in Kenya have collaborated to facilitate the transition of refugees from camps to urban areas. Refugees leaving the camps are now provided with resources and guidance on how to integrate into urban life, marking a step towards better support for their long-term settlement and integration. This initiative aligns with the 2030 UN Agenda’s emphasis on improving access to rights and reducing vulnerabilities as a means of achieving successful integration.
Skill-Building Platform
- The MiFOOD project is now entering its second phase, which aims to go beyond traditional research outputs to address key challenges identified in the focus groups. A skill-building platform, linked to food systems and food security, is being developed to provide training for urban refugees who may not have access to formal education. This platform will help refugees navigate life in cities like Nairobi and Nakuru by offering modules on professional literacy, food security, social enterprise strategies, digital marketing, cultural orientation, and access to local services.
- The initial rollout of the skill-building platform will target participants from the 2022 focus groups. A follow-up survey will be conducted to evaluate the platform’s effectiveness. The involvement of urban youth refugees in the development and implementation of this platform is crucial, as it ensures that the training addresses their specific needs and aspirations.
- This participatory approach, coupled with ongoing engagement with political leaders and stakeholders, has the potential to drive positive urban development. The MiFOOD project envisions a future where refugees are recognized not as a burden, but as valuable contributors to the development of food-secure host cities, especially during periods of protracted conflict and intersecting crises such as climate change.
- A follow-up interview with William Kolong, a South Sudanese peace advocate and focus group facilitator, provided insights into the positive outcomes following the dissemination of the focus group findings. Kolong shared the report with officials from both the South Sudanese and Kenyan governments, including the President of South Sudan. The report’s findings prompted immediate actions to address some of the challenges faced by South Sudanese refugees.
Original draft created by the author
Reference
Enns, C., Owuor, S., Lin, A., Knebelow, N., Fanta, J., Achieng, C., Kolong, W., & Swardh, K. (2024). COVID-19, Food Insecurity, and South Sudanese Urban Refugees in Nairobi and Nakuru, Kenya. MiFOOD Paper No. 19, Waterloo. https://klajkzhyjdke-u5525.pressidiumcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MiFOOD19.pdf