The Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) is a registered national Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that works for the protection of refugees, asylum-seekers, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and stateless persons. RCK was initiated in 1998 in response to the increasingly complex refugee situation in Kenya.
RCK is distinct in the role that it plays in refugee and IDP welfare and protection of their rights. It is the only Kenyan organisation that focuses on refugee and IDP issues using a human rights and social justice approach. It is independent of the government and key players in refugee welfare, which gives RCK the freedom to advocate for refugee and IDP rights with an unbiased and impartial voice. Since its inception, the organisation has delivered its mission with measurable results. Through the Consortium's emphasis on networking with other local, regional and international organizations dealing with refugees and IDPs, it has been able to cover a plethora of issues. These include legal reform, policy development, civic education, research and information dissemination, refugee and IDP empowerment and capacity building. RCK focuses on advocacy around refugee and IDP issues and collaboration within and outside the sector, while still realizing the importance of the services delivered by others to alleviate the plight of refugees. The challenge now is to mainstream refugee issues in the national human rights agenda.
Aware of the gaps that forced migrants of all cadres grapple with, ranging from lack of identification documents to arrest and threat of deportation, homelessness, harassment, sexual gender based violence to lack of basic rights, RCK focuses its efforts towards programmes that enhance displaced persons’ protection and enjoyment of their rights.
RCK pursues these objectives through three core programmes:
2. The Legal and Referral Programme
3. The Information and Research Programme
Some of the main activities carried out through the three programmes include:
