UNHCR data shows steady rise in refugee numbers in Kenya
Regarding their place of origin, Somalia remains the leading source of refugees to Kenya, followed by South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) statistics project a sustained rise in refugee and asylum seeker numbers in the country, with a population of 854,876 persons recorded as of June 30, up from 836,907 announced by the state as of February this year.
The number comprises 626,557 (73 per cent) refugees and 228,319 (27 per cent) asylum-seekers.
"Compared with May 2025, there is an increase of 1,802 individuals in the total population, from 853,074 to 854,876, mainly because of the resumption of registration in Dadaab and new arrivals from South Sudan, Burundi, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and Ethiopia," the agency's latest public statistics show.
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A majority of the refugees and asylum seekers end up hosted at either Dadaab refugee camp or its sister camp in Kakuma, as others make their way to local urban areas.
"As of June 30, 2025, the Dadaab population stood at 432,480 individuals. Under Kakuma, the registered population stood at 306,963, with 224,721 in Kakuma Camp, 79,867 in Kalobeyei settlement, and 2,375 in Eldoret. Under Nairobi, the registered population stood at 115,433 covering Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru town areas," the agency adds.
Regarding their place of origin, Somalia remains the leading source of refugees to Kenya, followed by South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Burundi, Sudan, Uganda, Eritrea and Rwanda, respectively.
A further demographic breakdown shows that the majority of the refugees and asylum seekers are male, at 437,002; females tally to 417,874.
The majority of them are also in the youth age bracket, accounting for 275,513 (18-35) years, with those above the age of 60 accounting for the smallest figures at 24,783.
The agency further shows that as of June 30, 2025, a total of 931 persons were assisted to return to their places of origin voluntarily.
A total of 1,087 individuals departed for various resettlement countries as of May 2025.
UNHCR uses the Population Registration and Identity Management Eco-System (PRIMES) integrated Biometrics Identity Management System (BIMS) to secure individual identities of the refugees and asylum seeker population, thus ensuring continuity of identity over time and in different locations across the world, reducing avenues for identity fraud and other misrepresentations.
It then verifies the information provided to authenticate the identity of its programme's beneficiaries using a Global Distribution Tool (GDT).
The number has most likely gone up in the last two months, especially those coming from Somalia, following the ongoing infighting between Jubaland forces and the Somali National Forces.
Mandera Governor yesterday said the fighting between the Somali National Army and Jubaland forces has spilt across the Kenyan border and disrupted lives, and is threatening the safety of the locals.
"Disturbingly, some of those forces have been hosted within Kenyan territory, compromising our national sovereignty and endangering our citizens. As the Governor of Mandera, I strongly condemn this. The safety and security of our people is non-negotiable. We call on all actors, local, regional, and international, to respect our borders and support peace and stability in the region," he said.
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