President William Ruto has urged the international community to share responsibility for hosting refugees more fairly, saying Kenya has carried a heavy burden for decades and cannot continue to handle it alone.

Speaking in Nairobi on Monday, November 17, 2025 during the opening of the 14th International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges (IARMJ) World Conference, Ruto said Kenya remains proud of its record in protecting displaced people.

He noted that the country has built a strong legal framework and continues to work closely with agencies supporting refugees and asylum seekers. However, he said Kenya has reached its limits.

“Kenya is proud of its contribution in hosting refugees and in developing a very strong legal framework in this field. But we recognise our limits and call on the international community to share responsibility more equitably,” he said.

He added that financial support, resettlement opportunities, and technical cooperation are essential because host communities should not bear the burden alone.

Ruto stressed that solidarity is a matter of justice, not charity. He said countries must work together to assist refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants because they deserve dignity, support, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

“Through financial support, resettlement opportunities, and technical cooperation, host communities should not bear the burden alone. Solidarity is not charity, it is justice. And therefore, sharing the burden of refugees and asylum seekers and migrants is an act of solidarity and an act of justice. Because such persons deserve the support and the assistance of the countries that they end up.”

The President also addressed the judges attending the conference, urging them to uphold fairness, courage, and independence when hearing refugee cases. He said the decisions they make have life-changing consequences and must respect the rights of vulnerable people seeking protection.

“Your obligation as judges is the solemn duty of ensuring that every refugee and migrant who comes before you finds justice and fairness,” he said. He added that refugees and migrants are entitled to the same rights enjoyed by everyone.

Ruto highlighted the challenges judges face, including cases that come with little or no documentation. He noted that many applicants struggle to explain their stories because of trauma, fear, or experiences of conflict, famine, or persecution. He said these situations require judges to handle claims with sensitivity and understanding.

Kenya urges fair refugee solutions

Kenya currently hosts nearly 580,000 refugees and asylum seekers, making it one of the countries with the largest refugee populations. Ruto said the global crisis has also grown, with more than 120 million people displaced by conflict, climate change, and economic hardship.

He pointed to the government’s Shirika Plan, which aims to convert refugee camps into integrated settlements where both refugees and host communities can live and work together. He described the shift as an effort to promote long-term solutions rather than keeping refugees in camps.

Ruto reminded the judges that their work plays a key role in ensuring states meet their obligations under both domestic and international law. He said strong institutions, credible procedures, and independent courts remain central to a fair refugee protection system. Every asylum seeker, he added, must receive timely decisions, access to legal counsel, and the right to appeal.

He also spoke about the positive side of migration, noting that Kenya has signed several bilateral labour agreements, including recent ones with Germany and Austria.

Ruto encouraged the conference delegates to continue strengthening cooperation and building shared jurisprudence in refugee and migration law. He said justice for displaced people should not depend on geography or chance.