The government wants the UN and other agencies funding refugees in Kenya to prioritize local farmers when procuring food aid. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said buying grains from Kenyan farmers will provide a ready market for maize, rice, wheat, and other foodstuffs and prevent post-harvest losses attributed to seasonal abundance. Speaking in Nairobi during a government-development partners dialogue forum on the Shirika Plan for the resettlement of refugees in Kenya, Mudavadi said by buying locally, aid agencies will also demonstrate appreciation for Kenyans’ sacrifice in hosting displaced communities. Somali, South Sudan, and the DRC to the source of refugees accounting for 56%, 30%, and 7% respectively. Speaking at the same forum, the UN Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said the UN and other development partners have mobilized over $200 million dollars to fund the Shirika Plan which was previously known as the Marshall Plan for Refugees.

Source: Daily Nation June 21, 2023 12:25 UTC