Asylum and refugee seekers in Kenya face numerous challenges when seeking legal protection and permanent residency. The Kenyan legal system recognizes two types of protection for asylum seekers: refugee status and subsidiary protection. Refugee status is granted based on the international criteria of the 1951 Refugee Convention while subsidiary protection is granted to those who are not refugees but face serious harm if returned to their country of origin. In both cases, asylum seekers require legal assistance and support to navigate the complex immigration system in Kenya.
One of the most significant challenges that refugees and asylum seekers face is accessing legal services. Refugee camps in Kenya, such as Dadaab and Kakuma, are located in remote locations, far away from large cities and centers of legal assistance. Additionally, the cost of legal services is a significant barrier for most refugees and asylum seekers who live in poverty. Many also lack knowledge of their legal rights and how to access legal assistance.
To address these challenges, there are a few key organizations in Kenya that offer legal services to refugees and asylum seekers. One of these organizations is the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK), a non-governmental organization that provides free legal assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in Nairobi, Kakuma, and Dadaab.
The RCK offers legal representation and advice to refugees and asylum seekers for various immigration matters, including applications for asylum, family reunification, naturalization, residency, and employment authorization. The organization also helps refugees and asylum seekers access other essential services, such as healthcare, education, and social protection.
Another organization that provides legal services to refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya is the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). This organization conducts advocacy work and provides free legal services to refugees and asylum seekers in particular in matters related to human rights violations, discrimination, and protection.
Additional Information: If you or a loved one is seeking asylum or refugee status in Kenya, reach out to the Refugee Consortium of Kenya or the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights for legal assistance and support.