“Refugees Are Not Mere Statistics”: Ruto Urges Stronger Refugee Systems, Praises Kenya’s Generosity

President William Ruto has called on the global community to strengthen refugee and migration systems while protecting human dignity. He made the remarks at the 14th International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges World Conference in Nairobi, highlighting Kenya’s long-standing role in hosting displaced populations.

Ruto welcomed judges and delegates, praising Nairobi’s resilience and diversity. He said the world faces an unprecedented displacement crisis, with over 120 million people forced from their homes due to conflict, persecution, economic hardship, and environmental disasters. “Refugees and migrants are not mere statistics,” he said. “They are individuals with resilience, hope and the desire to rebuild their lives.”

Kenya has hosted refugees for decades. Nearly 580,000 refugees currently live in the country, making it one of the world’s largest host nations. Ruto noted Kenya’s commitment to international law, including the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, its 1967 Protocol, and the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention. The 2021 Refugees Act grants refugees the right to work, move freely, access services, and protects them from forced return.

He highlighted the Shirika Plan, a new initiative to transform refugee camps into integrated settlements. “This plan promotes self-reliance for refugees and development for host communities,” Ruto said. He said it embodies African solutions to African challenges and shifts the focus from encampment to empowerment.

Ruto also emphasized judicial integrity. Judges, he said, ensure fair asylum procedures and harmonize refugee law across countries. Judicial independence fosters public trust and ensures that decisions are impartial. He warned that climate change, misuse of asylum systems and human trafficking pose rising challenges that require rigorous verification, better documentation and trauma-informed training for judges.

The president cautioned against over-reliance on technology. While artificial intelligence can help streamline processes, he said, it must remain a tool, not a replacement for human judgment. Finally, Ruto urged fairness, transparency and accountability in refugee systems. He said integrity protects those in genuine need and builds public trust, warning that failing to uphold these principles risks the collapse of asylum systems and erosion of shared humanity.