VNG International Supports Integrated Service Delivery in Refugee Hosting Garissa and Turkana Counties

Kenya

May 12

Written By Sophie van Haasen

VNG International

Start of Project

03/01/2024

End of Project

12/31/2026

Overview

VNG International is committed to supporting the refugee hosting counties of Turkana and Garissa in Kenya deliver integrated services for refugees and host community members. As part of this support, VNG International is rolling out a Solid Waste Management (SWM) Demonstration Project in Kakuma Municipality. The project is a strategic pilot intervention to address the growing challenges of solid waste management arising from rapid urbanization, population growth, and increased economic activity in both host and refugee communities. The demonstration project is designed not only to address immediate service delivery gaps but also to develop, test, and validate an integrated, sustainable, and scalable SWM model. Through this approach, the project lays a foundation for long-term improvements in environmental health, public sanitation, and municipal service delivery. Both Turkana and Garissa Counties have amended their standing orders to allow refugees to petition the assembly on issues affecting them, including service delivery.

This signifies a transition from project-supported implementation to full municipal ownership, leadership, and operational responsibility, ensuring that the systems, structures, and practices established are sustained and expanded.

Expected Impact

The project envisions the following outcomes:

Improved efficiency and coverage of waste collection and disposal services.
Enhanced capacity of municipal staff and stakeholders to manage SWM systems.
Increased community awareness, ownership, and participation in Solid Waste Management.
Reduced environmental pollution and public health risks.
Establishment of a replicable, scalable, and sustainable SWM model in Kakuma Municipality.

Lessons Learned

The local governments have the goodwill to execute inclusive and integrated services to the refugee population but they lack the capacity, both financial and human capacity. The aspect of refugee governance and management is a fairly new concept that requires capacity building and strengthening and system strengthening given that the two refugee-hosting local governments of Garissa and Turkana are vulnerable local governments that are already struggling to deliver services to their own constituencies. The situation is already dire, and an added responsibility would weigh heavily on the two local governments. Given this context, as much as the local government have shown goodwill to take up the responsibility of refugee management, they face challenges especially around policies and plans that do not give clarity on their role in refugee matter