Since 2018, the number of Eritreans fleeing from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan has been on the rise, with many seeking refuge in Kenya before moving on to Uganda. As of June 2024, Kenya is home to 3,672 registered Eritrean refugees, with the majority (3,370) residing in urban areas like Nairobi, Nakuru, and Mombasa. Smaller numbers are found in refugee camps such as Kakuma, Dadaab, and Kalobey. Uganda, too, has seen a significant influx, with 11,816 Eritreans registered in Kampala as of July 2024.
However, the support systems for these refugees are fragmented and insufficient. There is no centralised data on the number of Eritreans detained or convicted for being in Kenya unlawfully, nor is there any comprehensive information on those held in police custody along the border or in Nairobi. This lack of coordination and data, leaves many Eritreans vulnerable, particularly those without documentation.
Recognizing these gaps, EHO, in close collaboration with our partner in Kenya, the Sanctuary Foundation, is working to fill the gaps by providing support for Eritrean refugees and linking them to available services (a holistic response) Together, EHO and the Sanctuary Foundation quickly identified several critical areas in need of attention:
- Legal Support: Eritreans arrested in Kenya are often charged with being in the country illegally and are convicted without legal representation. Appeals are slow, leaving many incarcerated for extended periods. Those without refugee registration in Eritrea or Ethiopia are especially at risk, as they are frequently denied legal aid. EHO has been instrumental in funding and supporting these legal advocacy efforts in collaboration with the Sanctuary Foundation.
- Food and Hygiene: Many Eritreans held in police stations, whether along the border or in Nairobi, face severe food shortages. EHO, working closely with the Sanctuary Foundation and members of the Eritrean community in Nairobi, has stepped in to provide traditional Eritrean meals and hygiene products, uplifting spirits and addressing immediate needs.
- Accommodation: A significant challenge for Eritrean refugees in Kenya is finding safe and secure housing, especially during the lengthy legal processes. EHO, with the support of the Sanctuary Foundation and other partners, is working to secure permanent accommodation and social services a process that requires Kenya Government approval. In the meantime, we have secured accommodation in Nairobi’s d as a transition to provide secure housing for those released from police custody. At the same time, their documentation and other needs are addressed with the collaboration of other organisations. .
Key Highlights of EHO’s Collaborative Work with The Sanctuary Foundation:
Petition for Refugee Rights: On December 4, 2023, in collaboration with the Horn of Africa Civil Society Forum, the Sanctuary Foundation issued a petition to Kenya’s Department of Refugee Services to uphold the rights of asylum seekers, advocating for their right to apply for asylum and be protected under international law. Since 2024, with the support of EHO Sanctuary Foundation is formally engaging other organisations working to assist refugees hence on 16 July held the first stakeholders meeting, kindly hosted by Harmony Foundation. .
Legal Advocacy: EHO has supported Sanctuary Foundation to actively coordinate and follow up the legal cases of 23 Eritreans arrested in Moyale in partnership with the Sanctuary Foundation. Despite successful appeals, fees brokers demanding hefty fees moved the group to Uganda, highlighting the need for stronger legal protections and oversight.
Community Mobilization: With EHO’s funding, Sanctuary Foundation mobilised the assistance of JRS and the Eritrean community in Nairobi to provide food and hygiene products to Eritreans detained at Gigiri and Pangani police stations. The local Eritrean community provided traditional meals and played a crucial role in supporting the refugees.
Collaborative Efforts: EHO support to Sanctuary Foundation’s work is critical and it facilitates ongoing coordination, cooperation and dialogue with Government Institutions and other NGO’s such as the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK), Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), HAART Kenya to secure the release of detained Eritreans and provide them with legal and social support.
Establishing a Refugee CBO: EHO is instrumental in supporting the Sanctuary Foundation’s efforts to assist an Eritrean Pentecostal refugee in establishing the first Eritrean Refugee Community-Based Organization (CBO) in Kenya, which will serve as a model for future initiatives.
Facility Renovation: EHO is supporting the Sanctuary Foundation’s collaboration with Koinonia in establishing a facility with social services in Nairobi for Eritrean refugees, prioritising unaccompanied minors and further enhancing the support infrastructure.
Advocacy and Training: Sanctuary Foundation, participated in developing a Counter Human Smuggling and Trafficking training manual for Kenyan magistrates, advocating for a more humane approach to managing population movements. This was an opportunity to advocate for a humanitarian approach to population movements, particularly for Eritrean refugees. This highlights the willingness of Eritrean communities and organisations, such as EHO, to assist Eritrean refugees in Kenya.
Looking Ahead:
EHO, in partnership with the Sanctuary Foundation, remains committed to supporting Eritrean refugees through continued advocacy, legal support, and the provision of essential services. As EHO and Sanctuary Foundation look to the future, key priorities include maintaining housing the transitional secure housing and working with Kononia to establish a secure reception centre with social support; expanding legal support, and strengthening partnerships with the judiciary, the Kenyan government, and other agencies to better address the needs of Eritrean refugees in Kenya and beyond.
By addressing these challenges head-on, EHO and Sanctuary Foundation are playing a crucial role in supporting Eritrean refugees and disrupting the harmful practices of smugglers and traffickers, ensuring a safer and more dignified path for those seeking refuge.