Kenya is facing a complex humanitarian situation driven by climate shocks, economic pressures and long-term displacement. Recurrent droughts and erratic rainfall are worsening food insecurity, water shortages and loss of livelihoods, especially in arid areas, while periodic floods also displace communities and damage infrastructure. Rising living costs and unemployment are increasing vulnerability among both refugees and host communities. Kenya remains one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in Africa, with around 872,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from Somalia, South Sudan and the DRC.
Many families face rising costs of food and basic services, making it difficult to meet everyday needs. In rural and drought-affected areas, people often struggle to find enough water and food, while in urban areas overcrowding and unemployment add pressure. For refugees, life can be especially restrictive, with many living in camps or settlements where opportunities to work and move freely are limited, and where they depend heavily on humanitarian assistance. Many people in Kenya are living with constant uncertainty, having to adapt again and again to challenges that are largely beyond their control.
In 2021, the Estonian Refugee Council launched activities in Kenya, supporting refugees through entrepreneurship and life skills trainings.
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