Kenya Hosts Global Refugee and Migration Judges’ Conference, Spotlighting Humanitarian Leadership

Kenya has taken the global spotlight in refugee protection after President William Ruto officially opened the 14th World Conference of the International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges (IARMJ) in Nairobi

For the first time, Africa is hosting this prestigious gathering of judges and migration law experts, highlighting Kenya’s leadership in managing one of the continent’s largest refugee populations. The association is led by Justice Isaack Lenaola

The week-long conference, themed “Protecting the Integrity of the Refugee and Migration Systems,” brings together judicial experts from around the world to address pressing challenges, including climate-induced displacement, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and the misuse of asylum procedures

President Ruto urged the global community to uphold justice and human dignity for displaced persons

“The numbers are not mere statistics; they are a reminder of this year’s theme and the urgent issues it highlights,” he said

“Refugees are individuals whose rights have been tested, yet they continue to carry hope and the desire to rebuild their lives”

He also highlighted Kenya’s Shirika Plan, a program that works with refugees to ensure they can live and prosper while contributing to the development of host communities.

Chief Justice Martha Koome emphasized the judiciary’s pivotal role in ensuring fairness and integrity in refugee protection.

“No nation can manage refugee protection alone; we continue to need each other. Judges must remain vigilant and courageous, ensuring that every asylum claim is handled fairly and justly,” she said

“At its core, refugee protection is about human dignity, something no machine can ever replicate”

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Conference sessions include discussions on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence in judicial processes, credibility assessments, child asylum seekers, social media evidence, and bilateral agreements to promote orderly migration and resource sharing

UNHCR Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Dr. Mamadou Dian Balde, noted that regional conflicts, climate change, and governance challenges continue to drive displacement across the continent

“This growing pressure tests the integrity of protection systems, underscoring the need for strong frameworks and an independent judiciary to ensure fairness and prevent exploitation,” he said

Kenya’s experience provides a model for other nations grappling with large-scale displacement and climate-related migration

Hosting the conference positions Kenya as a global leader in upholding human dignity, justice, and regional solidarity for millions of displaced persons

Since 1995, the IARMJ World Conference has served as a platform for sharing jurisprudence and advancing reforms in refugee and migration law

Writer : Mweru Mbugua