Author: Koang Pal Chang | Published: 10 hours ago
An aerial view of Kakuma Refugee Camp located in Kenya’s Turkana County bordering South Sudan – Courtesy
JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) – The local government of Turkana County in Kenya has officially granted more than 200,000 South Sudanese refugees the right to petition its assembly, marking a historic shift in refugee rights.
According to Kenya media report, this landmark change to the Assembly’s Standing Orders allows refugee communities to formally suggest laws or complain about local services for the first time.
The move shifts how refugees are treated in Kenya. Instead of being viewed only as people who need aid, they are now being recognized as active participants in the community where they live.
Advocates who spoke to Kenyan media said that this sets a new standard for democracy in the region. It allows thousands of people to have a say in the local decisions that affect their daily lives, from business rules to safety.
They say that this decision is particularly important for South Sudanese refugees, who make up the largest group in the area. Many have lived in the camp since the 1990s, while others arrived after the 2013 civil war.
However, this new political right comes during a difficult time. While refugees now have a voice in local government, many are struggling to survive. Because of deep cuts to food rations and a lack of supplies, over 9,000 South Sudanese left the camps late last year to return home, despite the risks.
Leaders hope that by using their new right to petition, refugees can work with Kenyan officials to improve living conditions and security for those who remain.
