Kenya’s legal framework recognizes adequate housing as a fundamental human right, emphasizing the state’s responsibility to ensure access to safe and dignified living conditions for all individuals, including refugees. This commitment is reflected in national legislation and policies that guide housing provisions and social welfare programs. For refugees residing in Kenya, access to adequate housing is shaped by both national laws and refugee-specific policies, which establish mechanisms for shelter, settlement, and integration. The country operates a camp-based refugee management system, where the majority of refugees reside in designated camps and settlements such as Dadaab and Kakuma, where housing is provided through government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and international partners. While these camps offer structured shelter programs, challenges such as overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to essential services impact the realization of adequate housing.

Beyond the camp setting, urban refugees, who live in cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru, face additional barriers, including high rental costs, discrimination from landlords, and lack of legal documentation required for securing housing. Although Kenya’s legal framework allows refugees to reside outside camps with special movement passes or work permits, the absence of targeted housing policies for urban refugees means they must rely on informal rental markets, often leading to precarious living conditions. Humanitarian organizations and refugee advocacy groups work to bridge these gaps by providing rental subsidies, legal assistance, and community-based housing support programs, but sustainable solutions remain limited.

Efforts to improve refugee housing conditions have been incorporated into broader national development strategies, particularly through initiatives that promote integration and self-reliance, such as the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement Model, which blends humanitarian assistance with development-oriented approaches. Strengthening policies that expand housing options, enhance infrastructure, and facilitate refugee access to affordable housing in urban areas would further align Kenya’s legal commitments with international best practices on refugee protection and housing rights.